Rosé and Bruno Mars Open 2026 Grammy Awards with ‘APT.’ Performance; Kendrick Lamar Wins Best Rap Album Early

The 2026 Grammy Awards kicked off dramatically with K-pop star Rosé from BLACKPINK and pop icon Bruno Mars delivering an explosive rock rendition of their collaborative hit ‘APT.’, which earned three nominations including Song of the Year. Host Trevor Noah highlighted the song’s origins in a South Korean drinking game, joking about American news consumption as a simpler alternative. The first major award of the prime-time ceremony went to Kendrick Lamar for Best Rap Album for his project GNX, marking his fourth win in the category following previous victories starting with To Pimp a Butterfly in 2016. Lamar, who expressed humility in his acceptance speech and affirmed hip-hop’s enduring presence, is also a contender for Album of the Year against nominees like Lady Gaga, Bad Bunny, Justin Bieber, and Sabrina Carpenter. Carpenter followed with a theatrical performance of her hit ‘Manchild,’ featuring elaborate staging with luggage carousels, baggage handler dancers, and a symbolic dove release. Prior to the main show, the premiere ceremony distributed 86 of the 95 awards, with British artists Yungblud, FKA Twigs, and The Cure among the winners. Several speeches and red carpet statements addressed US political concerns, including immigration; Latin legend Gloria Estefan voiced worries about border policies and detention centers after winning Best Tropical Latin Album for Raíces, calling aspects inhumane. Artists like Kehlani wore ‘Ice out’ badges, signaling ongoing political engagement throughout the event.