Award season is officially upon us, and musicians are gearing up to step into the spotlight as the biggest night in music prepares to take center stage.
Just a few months ago, The Recording Academy announced all ninety-five nominations, along with date and location for the 68th Annual Grammy Awards.
The Grammys are scheduled to be broadcast on Feb. 1, 2026 at the Crypto Arena in Los Angeles. The 68th Grammys will air live at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on the CBS Television Network and will also be available to stream on Paramount+ (premium plan).
When nominations were revealed, one story dominated the conversation: Latine artists are not only present, but also at the top of music’s most prestigious categories.
Diana Motta, a graduate student studying health promotion and disease prevention, stated, “This is the first time I am really excited for the Grammys. Aside from all the Latin representation, this is the first year I can not tell who is going to win. Usually, you can look at the nominees and determine the winner, but this year that is not possible.”
Bad Bunny remains at the forefront of Latin representation with six nominations, including Album of the Year, Record of the Year, and Song of the Year, once again placing a Spanish-language artist at the center of the general category conversation.
This is further amplified as Benito prepares to headline the Super Bowl later this year.
His album Debí Tirar Más Fotos stands as a symbol of authenticity, existing without linguistic compromise. Instead of conforming to the English language, the project demonstrates how one does not need to understand Spanish to resonate with its message.
Andy Abad, a composer and producer who teaches in the Popular Music program at USC, emphasizes the broader significance of Bad Bunny’s success. “An artist like Bad Bunny — he is the most popular artist in the world,” Abad said. “The genre he performs in has been a worldwide phenomenon for years now. I think it is a positive message that he is being nominated for this project.”
The rise of “DtMF,” nominated for both Record and Song of the Year, reinforces a truth audiences have long understood. Even if listeners do not speak Spanish, they can still understand the music. Bad Bunny’s work embraces Spanish-language storytelling as it is without translating it for broader audiences.
Abad further situates Bad Bunny’s recognition within a larger industry shift. “The fact that he is finally getting recognized and nominated at the non-latin Grammy’s shows that they are finally adapting to the times,” Abad said. “On my last tour with J.LO in 2019, everywhere from beaches to clubs in Spain [was playing] Latin urban music. For him to get nominated is extremely relevant.”
Alongside him is Karol G, whose nominations, including Best Latin Pop Album for Trópicoqueta, continue her run as a global force. Once dominated by male narratives, urbano, rooted in hip-hop, street culture, and Afro-Caribbean rhythms, has historically explored themes of gender, sexuality, and power. Karol G’s presence disrupts that while uplifting Latin women who have supported the genre without seeing themselves reflected in it.
That shift carries particular weight within the U.S. music industry. According to Abad, Karol G’s nomination extends beyond personal success and into cultural impact. “With Karol G being nominated, a Colombian Latina, I think it is important and motivating for young Latinas and aspiring artists. The urbano scene is extremely male-dominated, so for her to be recognized is very important and inspiring.”
One of the most significant breakthroughs comes from The Marías, a Los Angeles-based band led by Puerto Rican frontwoman Maria Zardoya. Maria is currently gaining traction for her new solo album titled Not For Radio. Their bilingual pop sound is subtle yet revolutionary, showing that Latin identity is not confined to a single art form.
The Recording Academy announced on Jan. 21 that The Marías will be performing at the Grammys. Other artists set to perform include Sabrina Carpenter, Leon Thomas, Olivia Dean, Doechii, Harry Styles, and Addison Rae.
David Hernandez, a junior studying legal studies at the University of Southern California, stated, “I am so excited to see The Marías perform at the Grammys. I have been a fan of them since before they blew up, so it’s mesmerizing to see how much they’ve evolved while staying true to their unique approach to music. The Grammys will [only take them further].”
Beyond the top categories, the Grammys recognize a wide range of Latin categories that spotlight legacy artists alongside emerging and trendsetting voices. These awards are part of the Recording Academy’s main ceremony, not to be confused with the Latin Grammys, which are an entirely separate event.
Rauw Alejandro’s nomination for Cosa Nuestra in the Best Latin Pop Album category highlights the direction urbano is headed. Through electronics and choreography, Rauw Alejandro has been deemed a creative architect in a genre that refuses to sit still. The Recording Academy’s recognition reflects broader changes in how Latin artists are categorized.
Nominees like Grupo Frontera (for Best Música Mexicana Album with Y Lo Que Viene) represent the bicultural reality of U.S. Latin youth. Their music captures how Mexican and American influences coexist naturally.
Also nominated in the same field is Colombian singer Paola Jara, signaling how regional Mexican music has expanded far beyond national borders. Its emotional storytelling appeals universally, and the Grammys finally reflect that growth. This is Jara’s first Grammy nomination.
In addition to these most anticipated winners, other Latin artists nominated this year include Edgar Barrera, Ciro Hurtado, FEID, Gustavo Dudamel, Gabriela Ortiz, Paquito D’Rivera, Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Arturo O’Farrill, Miguel Zenón, Gloria Estefan, Fito Páez, Natalia Lafourcade, Alejandro Sanz, CA7RIEL and Paco Amoroso.
For many of these artists, this is their first time being nominated at the Grammys or being recognized beyond the Latin Grammys.
The Grammys are scheduled to be broadcast on Feb. 1, 2026 at the Crypto Arena in Los Angeles. The 2026 Grammys will air live at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on the CBS Television Network and will also be available to stream on Paramount+ (premium plan).