Bad Bunny Creates Grammys History with Landmark Spanish-Language Victory
The 2026 Grammy Awards witnessed a monumental moment in music history as Puerto Rican global superstar Bad Bunny secured the prestigious Album of the Year award for his record Debí Tirar Más Fotos. This remarkable achievement marks the first time in Grammy history that the ceremony's highest honour has been awarded to an album performed entirely in Spanish, breaking significant linguistic and cultural barriers within the mainstream music industry.
An Emotional and Historic Acceptance Speech
Visibly moved by the historic win, Bad Bunny, whose real name is Benito Martínez Ocasio, delivered his acceptance speech primarily in Spanish, beginning with a poignant reference to his homeland. "Believe me when I tell you that we are much bigger than just 100 by 35," he stated, alluding to Puerto Rico's dimensions in miles. "And there is nothing that we cannot achieve. Thank God, thank the academy, thank all the people who have believed in me throughout my entire career."
The artist extended his gratitude to his collaborators and his mother, saying, "To all the people who worked on this album, thank you. Mommy, for giving birth to me in Puerto Rico, I love you." He then powerfully switched to English to dedicate the award to immigrants worldwide.
A Powerful Dedication to Immigrants and a Call for Unity
"I want to dedicate this award to all the people that had to leave their homeland, their country, to follow their dreams," Bad Bunny declared. Returning to Spanish, he continued, "To all the people who have lost a loved one and, even so, have had to move forward, and continue with great strength, this award is for you."
Concluding his speech, he expressed love and recognition for the broader Latino community and pioneering artists, stating, "Thank you for so much love, I love you all. To all the Latinos in the entire world and to all the artists who came before and who deserved to be on this stage receiving this award, thank you very much."
Earlier Calls for Immigration Reform and Love Over Hate
Earlier in the evening, after winning the Grammy for Best Música Urbana Album, Bad Bunny delivered an even more direct political message. He began his remarks with a clear statement: "Before I say thanks to God, I'm going to say ICE out," referencing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement amid ongoing national debates about immigration policy.
He followed this with an impassioned plea for unity and compassion, asserting, "The only thing that's more powerful than hate is love. So, please, we need to be different. If we fight, we have to do it with love. We don't hate them. We love our people. We love our family and there's a way to do it, with love, and don't forget that."
Context and Wider Resonance
These comments arrive following criticism from some conservative commentators regarding Bad Bunny's upcoming performance at the Super Bowl Halftime Show in Santa Clara, California, on February 8th. Critics have pointed to his past criticisms of former President Donald Trump, his predominantly Spanish-language catalogue, and his fashion choices that challenge traditional gender norms.
The theme of solidarity and inclusiveness resonated throughout the Grammy ceremony. British singer Olivia Dean, named Best New Artist shortly after performing her hit "Man I Need," emotionally referred to herself as the "granddaughter of an immigrant" to enthusiastic applause. She added, "I'm a product of bravery, and I think those people deserve to be celebrated. We're nothing without each other."
Bad Bunny's historic win and his powerful, multilingual speeches underscore a significant cultural shift, celebrating Latino artistry on the world's biggest musical stage while delivering a message of hope, resilience, and love dedicated to immigrants and displaced communities globally.
