Puerto Rican artist Bad Bunny made headlines at the 2026 Grammy Awards after winning Album of the Year for Debí Tirar Más Fotos. The victory marked a historic moment for Latin music, with the project becoming one of the most prominent Spanish-language albums ever recognised in the ceremony’s top category.

He continued to host the 2026 Super Bowl Halftime show, which went on to become the most-watched and streamed since Michael Jackson's Super Bowl performance in 1993.

African artists also had a strong showing at the Grammys.

South African singer Tyla also won Best African Music Performance for her single Push 2 Start, adding to the global momentum of African genres such as Afrobeats and Amapiano. To add to her winning catalogue, she won the 57th NAACP Image Awards for Outstanding International Song of the Year with her hit single, "Is It".

The awards also paid tribute to one of Africa’s most influential musicians. Nigerian Afrobeat pioneer Fela Aníkúlápó Kuti received a posthumous Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, becoming the first African artist to be honoured in that category.

Latin and African artists have increasingly moved beyond regional success to become mainstream global figures.

Additionally, Nigerian sensation Tems became the first African female artist to record seven entries on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 in February 2026. She reached that mark after her song “What You Need” debuted at number 93 on the Billboard Hot 100, bringing her total number of songs on the chart to seven.

With this total, Tems ties the record for the most Hot 100 appearances by any African act, alongside Burna Boy and South African band Seether.

Streaming platforms and social media have accelerated this shift, allowing audiences around the world to discover genres such as reggaeton, Afrobeats and Amapiano.

As a result, music from the Global South now regularly competes in major international categories rather than being confined to specialised genre awards.

The influence of Global South artists has also been visible across other international ceremonies in early 2026.

On February 28, Spanish star Rosalía , known for blending flamenco with contemporary pop and urban sounds, was among the artists recognised at the BRIT Awards, where she received the International Artist of the Year award.

The win reflects the broader diversification of global pop music, with non-English language artists increasingly recognised at traditionally Western-dominated ceremonies.

His death was ruled a suicide, but it brought an abrupt end to criminal proceedings that many hoped would expose the full extent of his network.

His death ended the criminal case against him, but it did not end the questions. One of the most important areas of continued scrutiny has been his travel history.

Understanding where Epstein travelled, and who travelled with him, could be central to understanding how he operated for so long within elite circles.

The World in Maps has created a map that highlights countries visited by Epstein, including nations across North America, South America , Europe, Africa and parts of Asia.

The map is based largely on released flight logs from Epstein’s private aircraft and journalistic investigations.

The flight logs and the ‘Lolita Express’

Epstein owned and used several aircraft over the years, including a Boeing 727 that became widely known in media reports as the “Lolita Express” .

Flight manifests from that aircraft, along with other planes he controlled, have been entered into court records and reported on extensively by outlets including the Associated Press and The Guardian.

The logs show frequent travel between the United States, Mexico, Brazil, the United Kingdom, France, Spain, Norway, Russia, Morocco and Senegal.

Influential figures named in released files

Over the years, court documents, depositions and flight logs have referenced several high-profile figures who had contact with Epstein. These include:

Although the logs provide valuable insight, they do not represent a complete record of his lifetime travel.

The above map shows a striking cultural divide. The United States , Canada and parts of Brazil lean towards Taylor Swift, while Mexico, Central America and most of Spanish-speaking South America favour Bad Bunny.

The split reflects more than fan preference. It mirrors language, streaming behaviour, touring revenue and the globalisation of pop music.

Taylor Swift dominates much of the English-speaking Americas.

The United States and Canada remain core markets for Swift, who has consistently ranked among the world’s most streamed artists. According to IFPI’s Global Music Report , Swift was the world’s best-selling recording artist in 2023, driven by the massive success of her Eras Tour and re-recorded albums.

Her commercial power is equally visible on streaming platforms. Spotify has repeatedly listed her among its most-streamed artists globally, while Billboard reported that the Eras Tour became the highest-grossing concert tour in history, surpassing $1 billion in revenue.

In Brazil, one of the largest music markets in Latin America, Swift’s strong touring presence and streaming numbers have helped cement her popularity beyond English-speaking borders.

On the other hand, Bad Bunny dominates Mexico, Central America and most of South America.

The Puerto Rican superstar has become one of the most influential Latin artists in modern history. Spotify confirmed that Bad Bunny was the platform’s most-streamed artist globally for three consecutive years from 2020 to 2022, a historic achievement for a Spanish-language performer.

His album Un Verano Sin Ti became one of the most-streamed albums of all time and earned a Grammy nomination and award for Album of the Year, a rare milestone for a primarily Spanish-language release.

According to the map, Spanish-speaking countries across Latin America overwhelmingly favour Bad Bunny, whose reggaeton and Latin trap catalogue resonates culturally and linguistically across the region.

Meanwhile, English-speaking markets lean towards Swift’s pop and country-pop catalogue.

Brazil : The notable exception

Brazil stands out.

Despite being a Portuguese-speaking nation with its own vibrant domestic music industry, the map places Brazil in Swift’s column. Brazil is one of the world’s top ten music markets, according to IFPI, and international pop artists regularly perform strongly there.

Swift’s sold-out stadium shows in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro underline her commercial strength in the country.

Based on YouTube’s all-time public view counts, the current top 10 stands as follows:

At the top of the list is still the record-breaking Latin hit Despacito by Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee, which continues to dominate as YouTube’s most-viewed video of all time with 8.9 billion views.

This figure is more significant as it is even bigger than the world's total population. According to Worldometer, the global population stood at roughly 8.2 billion in early 2026.

TIME previously described the song’s rise as a defining moment for the global mainstreaming of Spanish-language pop, marking a turning point in how music crosses borders in the streaming era.

These numbers underline the truly global nature of YouTube’s audience, spanning Latin pop, K-pop, devotional music, novelty animation, and international football anthems.

YouTube has become far more than a video platform. It is now one of the world’s most influential music distribution systems.

The streaming platform plays a central role in shaping modern hits, particularly outside the traditional Western music industry pipeline. Artists can break through globally without radio dominance, driven instead by algorithms, fan communities, and shareable visuals.

From ice hockey in North America to figure skating in East Asia, the breakdown highlights how geography, infrastructure and history shape winter sport identity across the world.

Here’s how it looks country by country.

Ice hockey dominates the northern powerhouses

Ice hockey stands as the most prominent winter sport across much of North America and northern Eurasia.

Countries marked for hockey include:

This comes as little surprise. Canada considers ice hockey central to its national identity , while the United States and Russia consistently field strong Olympic and professional teams. According to the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF), these nations remain among the highest-ranked globally, with deeply embedded youth systems and professional leagues driving sustained popularity.

Across Scandinavia and the Baltic region, hockey’s presence is reinforced by climate, infrastructure and strong international results.

Skiing

Skiing, including alpine and cross-country disciplines, leads across much of western and central Europe.

Countries shown with skiing as their top winter sport include:

Austria and Switzerland, in particular, are synonymous with alpine skiing, producing generations of Olympic champions. The International Olympic Committee notes that skiing disciplines account for one of the largest shares of medal events at the Winter Games, reflecting their scale and global participation.

Mountain geography and winter tourism industries further reinforce skiing’s dominance in these regions.

Figure skating

Figure skating emerges as the most popular winter sport in:

Both nations have produced Olympic champions and global stars under the International Skating Union (ISU), and the sport consistently draws strong television audiences during the Winter Games. Japan ’s figure skating culture, in particular, has seen sustained growth over the past two decades.

Speed skating

Speed skating appears prominently in:

China has invested heavily in speed skating infrastructure and Olympic preparation, particularly in the lead-up to Beijing 2022. The Netherlands traditionally dominates global speed skating, and while not highlighted separately on this map, the sport remains deeply embedded in northern Europe as well.

According to ISU participation data, speed skating continues to be one of the most structured and competitive ice disciplines worldwide.

Curling

One of the more striking features of the map is curling’s prominence across parts of Africa, the Middle East and South Asia.

Countries marked for curling include:

While curling does not command the same commercial spotlight in these regions as it does in Scotland or Canada, its presence reflects expanding federation membership and Olympic engagement. The World Curling Federation has actively developed the sport beyond traditional strongholds in recent years.

Bobsleigh

Bobsleigh is shown as the most prominent winter sport in several Latin American, African and Southeast Asian countries, including:

Sled sports often gain attention through Olympic participation and high-profile qualification stories. The International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation (IBSF) has documented growing interest outside Europe and North America over the past decade.

Luge

Luge appears as the leading winter sport in:

Though highly specialised, luge remains a core Olympic discipline governed by the International Luge Federation (FIL), with concentrated development programmes in Europe and emerging initiatives elsewhere.

Ski jumping

Ski jumping features prominently in:

Poland, in particular, has a deep ski jumping tradition, producing multiple Olympic medallists and World Cup champions. The sport enjoys significant broadcast attention across parts of Central Europe during the Winter Games.

The International Olympic Committee recognises 16 core winter sports in the Olympic programme, and this country-by-country breakdown shows how those disciplines are distributed culturally around the globe.

In everyday language, “America” and “the United States ” are often used interchangeably, even by people living inside the U.S. itself.

But geographically, America or more precisely the Americas , refers to two continents, North and South America, containing around 35 sovereign nations, including Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina and many others. The United States of America is just one of those nations.

The Puerto Rican superstar reiterated this as he used his 13-minute set to champion unity across the Americas by closing his set by naming countries beyond the United States, including Canada, Brazil, Bolivia, Panama and nations in Central and South America.

For many, especially Latino and Caribbean communities in the U.S., the message was one of belonging as much as geography.

By naming those countries during the performance, Bad Bunny placed Puerto Rico and other parts of the hemisphere squarely within the story of America, challenging narrow definitions of national identity.

Here are some reactions to Bad Bunny's performance:

Bad Bunny, born Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, became the first Latino solo artist and the first headliner to perform almost entirely in Spanish for the Super Bowl halftime show.

The 13-minute set was described as a “fusion of Latinx culture, social commentary, and musical celebration” with guest appearances from stars including Lady Gaga, Ricky Martin and Cardi B.

Bad Bunny’s halftime show was widely viewed as a celebration of Latin American identity on one of the world’s largest stages.

According to BuzzFeed’s detailed breakdown, the performance blended high-energy hits with strong visual storytelling, weaving Puerto Rican heritage and broader Latin culture into every part of the performance.

Celebrities asserted the claim of a good show when Grammy-award-winning artist Kacey Musgraves wrote on X, “That made me feel more proudly American than anything Kid Rock has ever done.”

Not all responses were positive. Right-wing critics, including President Donald Trump , labelled the show “terrible,” in part due to its cultural focus and political undertones.

This is not surprising as Bad Bunny’s selection as headliner stirred debate long before the performance. Critics argued that a predominantly Spanish-language show on America ’s most-watched TV stage represented a departure from tradition, a divide that reflected broader national conversations around identity and inclusion.

However, Bad Bunny tried to prove that this stance was wrong when he chose to read out countries in North and South America, including Venezuela, Guyana, Chile, Paraguay and Panama to prove that America was bigger than the United States .

With an overall score of 4.64 out of 5, Italy tops a list compiled from hundreds of thousands of verified user ratings across traditional dishes, regional specialities and local ingredients. The rankings, visualised by World Visualised and sourced from TasteAtlas, reflect real consumer sentiment rather than critic-led opinion.

Italy’s number-one ranking is driven by its deep culinary heritage and global appeal. From Neapolitan pizza and handmade pasta to regional icons like risotto, pesto, Parmigiano Reggiano and olive oil, Italian food consistently scores highly for flavour, balance and authenticity.

TasteAtlas notes that Italian cuisine stands out for its simplicity and ingredient-first philosophy, where quality produce takes precedence over complex techniques. This approach continues to resonate worldwide, from street food counters to Michelin-starred kitchens.

Second place goes to Greece, which earned a strong 4.60 rating. Greek cuisine is praised for its freshness and Mediterranean roots, with dishes such as souvlaki, grilled seafood, feta-based salads and yoghurt sauces ranking among the platform’s most loved foods.

Just behind is Peru, scoring 4.54, reflecting the country’s growing reputation as a global culinary innovator. Peruvian cuisine blends Indigenous, Spanish, African and Asian influences, with standout dishes including ceviche, lomo saltado and causa. Peru’s rise highlights how regional diversity and bold flavours are reshaping global food trends.

Both Spain and Portugal recorded scores of 4.53, underscoring the Iberian Peninsula’s strength in global cuisine.

Spanish cuisine is celebrated for its regional depth, from Valencian paella and Andalusian gazpacho to tapas culture and premium cured meats. Portugal, meanwhile, continues to gain international recognition for dishes such as bacalhau, caldo verde and seafood rice, supported by a strong tradition of home-style cooking.

France scored 4.48, maintaining its reputation for culinary technique, pastry mastery and fine dining tradition. While often associated with haute cuisine, TasteAtlas notes that everyday French dishes and regional specialities play a significant role in its ranking.

Türkiye and Japan, both rated 4.49, reflect how deeply food is tied to national identity. Turkish cuisine blends Middle Eastern, Central Asian and Mediterranean influences, while Japanese food culture continues to impress with its focus on seasonality, precision and presentation.

China and Indonesia, each scoring 4.48, highlight Asia’s growing visibility in global food rankings. China’s vast regional diversity, from Sichuan spice to Cantonese delicacy, remains a major draw, while Indonesian cuisine gains traction through dishes like nasi goreng, rendang and satay.

How TasteAtlas builds its rankings

TasteAtlas compiles its annual rankings using real user ratings, filtering out mass-produced and inauthentic entries to focus on traditional food culture . According to the platform, the goal is to document and preserve culinary heritage while offering travellers a reliable guide to local food experiences.

What this really means is that these rankings reflect how people actually eat and travel, and not just what appears on fine-dining menus.

The run-off held on February 8 saw Seguro secure roughly 67% of the vote, far ahead of his rival André Ventura of the far-right Chega party, who took around 33%. This result marks a strong mandate and returns the head of state role to a Socialist after years dominated by centre-right leadership.

The map of “most voted candidate per municipality” shows a sea of red, representing municipalities where Seguro led on the first or second round, with only a handful of areas where Ventura came out on top. This geographic distribution underlines the breadth of support for Seguro’s campaign across urban and rural Portugal.

In the first round on January 18, Seguro led with just over 31% of votes, while Ventura came second with about 23.5%, forcing the run-off as no candidate achieved the 50 per cent threshold required for first-round victory.

Turnout was notable, with just over 50% of registered voters participating in the decisive second round, the highest presidential turnout in years.

Though the presidency in Portugal is largely ceremonial, the role carries important powers, such as naming the prime minister, chairing the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces, and, in some cases, dissolving parliament. These powers mean the election outcome can have a real impact on governance and policy direction.

For Seguro, the mandate is both political and symbolic. He ran as a moderate socialist, attracting support from across the centre and left, and successfully formed a broad anti-populist coalition.

Ventura, while defeated, celebrated his result as a major milestone for Chega. His 33% share is the highest ever for his party in a national election and reflects its growing influence in Portuguese politics .

President-elect Seguro is expected to take office in March, succeeding Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, who has served two terms.

According to the latest available data from Eurostat and multiple national statistics agencies, unemployment rates in Europe vary widely, from as low as around 2.6% in some northern nations to more than 15% in parts of Eastern Europe and the Balkans.

Northern Europe shows strong job markets

Countries in northern Europe continued to report some of the lowest unemployment figures on the continent. For example:

Western Europe sees moderate unemployment

Across Western Europe, unemployment rates were generally moderate:

Southern and Eastern Europe face higher unemployment

Unemployment climbed noticeably higher in parts of southern and eastern Europe:

Central Europe and the Baltics

Central European countries generally showed more balanced employment figures:

While these rates are higher than Nordic counterparts, they remain below many southern and eastern peers, signalling relative resilience in post-transition labour markets.

Unemployment remains a key barometer of economic health, especially as Europe navigates inflation, energy transitions, and changing global demand. Strong job markets in the north and central regions underscore the benefits of diversified economies and active labour policies.

According to historical data compiled by Topend Sports , Norway leads the all-time Winter Olympic gold medal table with 148 golds. The Scandinavian powerhouse’s success spans Nordic skiing, biathlon, and ski jumping, reflecting decades of excellence on snow and ice.

Behind Norway, the United States sits second with 114 gold medals to its name, bolstered by strong traditions in figure skating, ice hockey and alpine events. Germany (112) and the former Soviet Union (78) follow closely, demonstrating the depth of winter sport pedigree across Europe and North America .

Top 10 countries by Winter Olympic gold medals

As athletes prepare for the Winter Olympics in the coming weeks (opening on the Febraury 6), these historical gold medal rankings offer more than trivia, but they set expectations.

Norway’s longstanding leadership makes it a favourite once again, but past Games have shown that emerging nations and breakthrough stars can reshape the medal table with surprising performances.

Milano-Cortina will introduce new events, including ski mountaineering, attract wider global participation and give nations a chance to write the next chapter in Winter Olympic history .

The games which opened on February 6, 2026, will take place in Milan, Cortina d’Ampezzo and surrounding venues, bringing together thousands of competitors for what promises to be a landmark international event.

According to the International Olympic Committee (IOC), approximately 93 National Olympic Committees (NOCs) are expected to participate, reflecting the continued growth of winter sport across Africa, Asia, the Middle East and Latin America.

While traditional powerhouses such as Canada, Norway, Germany and the United States remain central contenders, more nations than ever are now qualifying athletes in skiing, skating and ice-based competitions.

The 2026 Games will also include athletes competing under a neutral flag. The IOC has maintained restrictions on Russian and Belarusian delegations following the invasion of Ukraine , though select athletes may be permitted to compete as Individual Neutral Athletes (AIN) under strict eligibility rules.

8 sports, 16 disciplines, and 116 medal events

Milano-Cortina 2026 will feature 8 core Olympic sports, divided into 16 disciplines, with a total of 116 medal events. Fans can expect major competitions across skiing, skating and ice hockey, alongside the debut of a brand-new event.

Full list of disciplines at the 2026 Winter Olympics

Athletes will compete in:

The addition of ski mountaineering marks a significant milestone, introducing a high-altitude endurance discipline to the Winter Olympic programme for the first time.

Countries and figures:

What this really means is that in some of the world’s most populous nations, a significant portion of citizens cannot consistently afford basic meals without external support.

The rise in free food programmes is being driven by a combination of inflation, unemployment, conflict, and widening inequality.

According to Pew Research, economic hardship has become a growing concern globally, with more people reporting difficulty meeting basic living costs, including food. Pew’s surveys repeatedly show that affordability and economic insecurity are shaping everyday life in both developing and wealthy nations.

Indonesia: The largest beneficiaries

Indonesia tops the list, with nearly one-third of its population reportedly receiving food support.

The country has expanded large-scale food subsidy and school feeding initiatives to reduce poverty and protect vulnerable households from rising prices.

Newsweek has reported that countries across Asia are increasingly relying on mass food distribution systems as governments try to prevent hunger from escalating into political instability.

Nigeria

Nigeria’s position on the list is deeply linked to its worsening food insecurity. Tribune Online Nigeria has published repeated reports on the country’s hunger emergency, pointing to soaring food prices, insecurity in farming communities, and the increasing number of households skipping meals.

The paper has highlighted how food relief and community feeding programmes are now essential in many regions.

With an estimated 20 million Nigerians benefiting from free food support, the country is facing one of the most serious cost-of-living crises in its recent history .

In recent months, millions of pages of investigative records, court filings, contact lists, flight logs, and correspondence linked to Epstein have resurfaced in public discussion, fuelling renewed media attention and political pressure for transparency.

While Epstein died in jail in 2019, the scale of his network and the unanswered questions surrounding who enabled him have ensured the story never fully went away.

The U.S. Department of Justice this year released more than 3 million pages of files related to investigations into the late financier and registered sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, including emails, correspondence, financial records, flight logs, videos and images as part of what is now widely referred to as the “ Epstein files .”

The disclosure stems from the Epstein Files Transparency Act, passed by Congress in November 2025 and signed into law by President Joe Donald Trump , which mandates the public release of unclassified documents held by the Justice Department and FBI.

Not just names — Context also matters

A high number of mentions does not equal proof of criminal conduct.

Journalists and legal analysts emphasise that the Epstein files include a mix of contact records, flight manifests, emails, and media references, and that being mentioned in a document does not, in itself, imply guilt or illegal activity.

For example:

International reactions to the documents

Across Europe and beyond, governments have reacted differently to references in the Epstein files:

China’s export engine still runs hot

China remains the world’s largest exporter of goods , shipping an astonishing over $3.5 trillion in products globally during 2024, driven by electronics, machinery, and a vast manufacturing base.

In line with that broader picture, China’s top export categories in 2024 included:

This mix shows how deeply China has integrated into global supply chains for tech and transport goods, especially mobile devices and computer components.

China’s export strength isn’t just about scale; it’s also about global reach. The United States, Hong Kong and Vietnam are among China’s biggest trading partners, and electronics remain a dominant part of the export mix.

India ’s export basket: Energy and value-added goods

India’s export picture is narrower in scale but diversified in profile. In 2024, India shipped hundreds of billions of dollars’ worth of goods worldwide, with a growing emphasis on energy, pharmaceuticals, electronics and gems.

The top export categories for India in 2024 included:

Refined petroleum products, including petrol, diesel and other fuels, have taken on greater importance in India’s export economy , making the country one of the top global suppliers of processed fuels.

India’s pharmaceutical sector continues its ascent, building on its reputation as the “pharmacy of the world” thanks to strong global demand for generic medicines and active ingredients

The numbers explain how tennis dynasties rooted in individual greatness can elevate a nation’s global standing. Spain’s haul is anchored by Rafael Nadal, who alone amassed 22 major singles titles, most of them on the clay of Roland-Garros. Emerging stars like Carlos Alcaraz have bolstered the Spanish total with multiple Grand Slam triumphs of their own.

Hot on Spain’s heels is Serbia, with 24 Grand Slam wins, all credited to Novak Djokovic, the only male player in history to hold all four major titles simultaneously and complete a triple career Grand Slam. Djokovic’s consistency at the very top of the sport has cemented Serbia’s place among the elite nations in tennis.

Switzerland ranks third with 23 Grand Slam singles victories this century, fuelled by the careers of Roger Federer and Stan Wawrinka. Federer’s elegant all-court game produced 20 major titles, while Wawrinka added three of his own, giving Swiss tennis an enduring spotlight on tennis’s biggest stages.

The above map also highlights other countries with notable contributions: the United States (6), Great Britain (3), and Australia (2), reflecting a wider spread of success across continents. Lesser-represented regions in Latin America and Oceania also appear on the map with smaller tallies.

As the 2026 season unfolds, fresh challenges from rising stars like Jannik Sinner , Carlos Alcaraz and others will shape how this map evolves, potentially redrawing the balance of national pride in global tennis.

“China always and will continue to oppose using any arts award for political agenda against China,” the post continued.

The remarks followed news that the Dalai Lama, 90, won the Grammy for Best Audio Book, Narration and Storytelling Recording for “Meditations: The Reflections Of His Holiness The Dalai Lama” at the 68th Grammy Awards on February 1.

The Tibetan leader beat several high-profile contenders in the category, including Grammys host Trevor Noah, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, and musician Fab Morvan of Milli Vanilli. 

The Dalai Lama later acknowledged the win in a statement posted on his official Instagram account, saying he accepted the award “with gratitude and humility” and viewed it not as a personal accolade, but as recognition of shared global responsibility.

Why China is critical of the Dalai Lama

Beijing’s sharp reaction underscores how sensitive China remains to the Dalai Lama’s international profile.

As the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhists — around six million people worldwide — the Dalai Lama embodies a cultural and religious identity Beijing has struggled to fully control since occupying Tibet in the early 1950s.

China maintains it “liberated” Tibet from feudal rule and brought development to the region. Many Tibetans, however, continue to cling to their language, culture and religious traditions, with the Dalai Lama at the centre of one of the world’s longest-running nonviolent political struggles.

After a failed uprising against Chinese rule in 1959, the Dalai Lama fled to India, where he established a government in exile in Dharamshala. 

While he later relinquished his political role to focus on spiritual leadership, Beijing has continued to label him a separatist and pressures governments to avoid official contact with him.

This sensitivity has only grown as questions loom over the Dalai Lama’s eventual succession. 

In August 2025, Chinese President Xi Jinping made a rare visit to Tibet, stressing “political stability, national unity and religious harmony,” and reiterating Beijing’s push to “sinicize” religion.

Bad Bunny’s use of the word “Americans” reflects a broader cultural and geographic identity that includes people across the entire American continent, not just citizens of the United States . In many parts of Latin America, “America” is understood as the landmass stretching from Canada to Argentina and Chile, a perspective that sees Latinos and others from the hemisphere as part of a shared continental identity. This contrasts with the narrower US usage of “American” to mean citizens of the United States .

His remarks resonated at a time when immigration, identity and national belonging are central issues in political and public debate in the United States. Discussions around border enforcement, deportations and the treatment of migrant communities have intensified in recent years, often accompanied by polarising language. By stressing shared humanity and a broader, continental sense of belonging, Bad Bunny positioned his message against narratives that frame immigrants as outsiders.

His appeal to love over hatred, which he described as the most powerful response to division, reflected an attempt to shift the conversation away from fear and confrontation towards empathy and inclusion.

The moment gained widespread attention not only because it was part of a historic night for Latin music, with a Spanish-language album winning major awards, but also because it highlighted how cultural platforms can intersect with social and political issues. For many viewers in Latin America and beyond, his words underscored a sense of belonging that transcends national borders and reflects deep historical and cultural connections across the Americas.

A historic night for global representation

Bad Bunny, representing Puerto Rico, also secured the award for Best Música Urbana Album and Best Global Music Performance for "EoO". In a poignant acceptance speech delivered in both Spanish and English, Bad Bunny, who is set to headline the Super Bowl halftime show on Sunday, February 8, dedicated his win to "all the people who had to leave their homeland to follow their dreams". 

Other significant wins for the Global South included:

Main category winners and record-breaking achievements

Several industry giants continued to expand their legacies. Kendrick Lamar was the most-awarded artist of the night, winning Record of the Year for "Luther" (shared with SZA), Best Rap Album for GNX, and Best Rap Song for "TV Off". These victories allowed Lamar to surpass Jay-Z for the most career Grammys by a rapper, reaching a total of 27 awards.

Other major winners included:

Political statements and immigrant advocacy

The 2026 ceremony was defined by its political undertones, as many artists used the global platform to protest immigration enforcement. Billie Eilish, Kehlani, and Bad Bunny all voiced strong anti-ICE sentiments from the stage. Shaboozey, who won for Best Country Duo/Group Performance, dedicated his award to his immigrant mother and the cultural contributions of immigrants to the United States. Backstage, legendary Cuban singer Gloria Estefan expressed fear regarding the current political climate and children in detention centres.

Other notable winners

The evening also saw Leon Thomas win Best R&B Album for Mutt and Best Traditional R&B Performance for "Vibes Don’t Lie". Kehlani took home both Best R&B Performance and Best R&B Song for "Folded". 

In the rock and alternative categories, The Cure won Best Alternative Music Album (Songs of a Lost World), while Turnstile swept multiple awards, including Best Rock Album and Best Metal Performance. Notably, director Steven Spielberg earned his first Grammy for the film Music for John Williams, officially making him the latest member of people to have won an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony Awards (EGOT).