Bad Bunny Album of the Year 2026 Signals Cultural Shift at the Grammys
On Sunday, Feb. 1, 2026, the Recording Academy hosted the 68th Grammy Awards. The ceremony celebrated the most influential music released over the past year. Performances highlighted artists across multiple genres and cultures.
The night concluded with Album of the Year, the ceremony’s highest honor. Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny, born Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, won the award for his album DtMF (Debí Tirar Más Fotos). The win marked the first time a Latino artist has received Album of the Year in Grammy history.
The album’s title translates to “I should have taken more photos.” The project honors Bad Bunny’s homeland. It draws from Puerto Rico’s diverse musical traditions, including plena, jíbaro, salsa and reggaeton.
Throughout DtMF, Bad Bunny explores themes of cultural erasure and U.S. political influence. He also addresses the ongoing gentrification of Puerto Rico. Through the album, he uses music as storytelling and social critique.
Earlier in the evening, Bad Bunny accepted the award for Best Música Urbana Album. During his speech, he said, “Before I say thanks to God, I’m going to say ICE out. We’re not savage, we’re not animals, we’re not aliens. We are humans, and we are Americans.”
These remarks help frame the emotional and cultural weight of DtMF. In today’s political climate, the album functions as musical protest. It rejects cultural exclusion while celebrating Latino identity. The project blends genres while telling deeply personal and cultural stories.
This embrace of Latino heritage stands in contrast to ongoing political tensions surrounding immigration and identity in the United States. Latino communities continue to face cultural and political scrutiny. Because of this, the Recording Academy’s recognition of DtMF highlights the growing influence of Latino artistry on the global music stage.
Historically, the Recording Academy has recognized Spanish-language and global music within specialized categories. These include Best Música Urbana Album and Global Music. However, this year’s decision suggests a shift.
The Academy’s 15,000 voting members challenged long-standing industry hierarchies. These barriers have often limited non-English projects from receiving top honors.
By awarding DtMF Album of the Year, the Recording Academy recognized music as cultural testimony and resistance. Bad Bunny’s historic win reinforces art’s role in amplifying marginalized voices. It also reminds audiences that creative expression remains a powerful tool for cultural preservation and social change.
