Miami Artists Won Big Last Night at the 2026 Grammy Awards

Last night, the 68th Annual Grammy Awards unfolded in Los Angeles, bringing together members of the Recording Academy for what remains the most visible and influential night in music. As artists, executives, and creatives from across the industry gathered under one roof, the ceremony reflected not just where music is today, but where culture itself is headed.

The headline moment was, without question, Bad Bunny’s historic Album of the Year win for Debí Tirar Más Fotos, marking a major milestone as a fully Spanish-language album took home the Grammys’ top honor. But beyond that global achievement, the night also belonged in many ways to South Florida and Miami, with several wins and moments that hit especially close to home.

Leading that charge was Gloria Estefan, who earned her first-ever win at the so-called “Anglo Grammys” for Raíces, an album produced by longtime collaborator and husband Emilio Estefan. At 68 years old, the Miami Sound Machine icon beat out a stacked field that included Grupo Niche, Alain Pérez, Gilberto Santa Rosa, and Rubén Blades. But Estefan’s win went far beyond accolades.

In the hours following her victory, Estefan spoke candidly about her fears surrounding ongoing ICE raids and immigration enforcement, using her moment to urge people not to stay silent. She warned about the consequences of complacency and emphasized the importance of protest, particularly at a time when immigrant communities across the country are feeling increasingly targeted. For Miami, a city shaped by generations of immigrants, her words resonated as powerfully as the music itself.

Closer to home, friend of the paper Bizzy Crook also walked away a Grammy winner thanks to his contributions to Leon Thomas’ album Mutt, which picked up multiple awards throughout the evening. The Miami native has been steadily building momentum for years, already stacking nominations before this win, but these victories feel especially significant as he gears up for the release of his major label debut, Underdogs Win Eventually, a statement that is truer than ever before.  

South Florida’s influence stretched into pop’s biggest moments as well. Ariana Grande, born in Boca Raton, took home Best Pop Duo/Group Performance alongside Cynthia Erivo for “Defying Gravity” from the Wicked soundtrack. The win came as a surprise to some corners of the internet, particularly fans who were convinced “Golden” would dominate the category, but it underscored Grande’s continued dominance and longevity as one of pop’s most decorated voices.

And of course, no Florida recap would be complete without showing love to Doechii, the self-proclaimed swamp princess whose breakout hit “Anxiety” earned multiple nominations this year. The track became such a cultural moment that host Trevor Noah joked it had essentially become the country’s new national anthem. While she didn’t take home every award she was nominated for, her presence alone cemented her status as one of the most exciting artists to emerge from Florida in recent years.

All in all, while the Grammys crowned global superstars and made history on the international stage, the night also served as a reminder that Miami and South Florida remain deeply woven into the fabric of contemporary music. From legacy icons to rising underdogs, the region showed up, showed out, and left its mark on music’s biggest night.