The 68th Grammys just wrapped up, and the results say a lot about what mattered in music this year. This wasn’t a night full of shock wins. Instead, the awards went to artists who stayed visible all year, showed real momentum, and connected with listeners beyond just one big moment.

From pop categories to the night’s biggest awards, here’s how it played out.

Best Pop Solo Performance

Winner: Messy- Lola Young

This win came down to consistency. Messy wasn’t just a hit when it dropped; it stuck around. The song peaked at No. 14 on the Billboard Hot 100, hit No. 1 on Billboard’s Pop Airplay and Alternative Airplay charts, and racked up over 1 billion streams on Spotify, plus topped charts in the UK and several other countries.

That kind of longevity and wide play is exactly what Grammy voters tend to reward.

Best Pop Vocal Album

Winner: MAYHEM — Lady Gaga

Mayhem took Best Pop Vocal Album after a year of steady success. The album debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 with 219,000 equivalent album units in its first week, driven by 108 million streams, making it the biggest debut week for a female artist in 2025.

During her acceptance speech, Gaga used the moment to speak directly to women in music, saying, “I know sometimes when you’re in the studio with a bunch of guys, it can be hard. I want to urge you to always listen to yourself and fight for your ideas. Fight for your songs. Fight for yourself as a producer. Make sure you’re heard.”

The win marks Lady Gaga’s 16th Grammy Award, adding another milestone to a career defined by longevity, reinvention, and influence across pop, dance, and beyond.

Best Pop Duo/Group Performance

Winner: Defying Gravity — Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande

This year, Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande took the trophy for their rendition of ‘Defying Gravity’ in the first ‘Wicked’ movie, which cemented itself as one of the defining pop culture moments of the last two years.

After the win, Grande reacted on Instagram Stories, writing, “This is so special :') thank you so so so much! congratulations to the incredible Cynthia Erivo I love you & am so grateful to share this ♡.” The moment underscored the shared spotlight between the two performers and why the collaboration resonated far beyond the screen.

Best Dance Pop Recording

Winner: Abracadabra — Lady Gaga

Abracadabra by Lady Gaga won Best Dance Pop Recording after becoming one of the year’s most played dance-pop tracks across the board. The song made a splash when it debuted at year’s GRAMMYs and led the way for the ‘Mayhem’ era.

Record of the Year

Winner: luther — Kendrick Lamar & SZA

Record of the Year went to “luther,” a collaboration that stayed present across streaming, radio, and charts. The song’s wide reach and lasting buzz made it the kind of record.

This award often goes to songs that feel everywhere at once, and this one fit that bill.

Song of the Year

Winner: WILDFLOWER — Billie Eilish

Song of the Year went to “Wildflower,” marking one of the night’s most writing-focused wins. The track stood out for its quiet emotion, simple structure, and lyrics that feel personal without being overdone exactly the kind of songwriting this category tends to reward.

The win marked Billie Eilish’s second Song of the Year Grammy, following her 2020 win for “bad guy.” 

During her acceptance speech, Eilish also made a brief political statement, saying, “No one is illegal on stolen land… f—k ICE.” The moment drew immediate reaction online and became one of the night’s most talked-about speeches.

Best New Artist

Winner: Olivia Dean

Best New Artist went to Olivia Dean, marking a real breakout moment. The win wasn’t about one viral hit; it reflected a year of steady growth. Songs like “Dive” and “Carmen” kept picking up streams, while her debut album Messy helped push her into wider rotation and bigger stages.

Over the past year, Dean showed up everywhere from streaming playlists to live shows and festivals, building momentum the slow, solid way. During her acceptance speech, she also spoke about her background, saying, “I’m up here as the granddaughter of an immigrant. I’m a product of bravery, and I think those people deserve to be celebrated.”

Album of the Year

Winner: DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS — Bad Bunny

Album of the Year closed the night with DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS, a project that felt impossible to escape all year. The album dominated streaming globally, soundtracked sold-out shows, and stayed in rotation far beyond its release window, not just in the US, but across Latin America and international markets.

What set the album apart was its reach and intent. Bad Bunny blended personal storytelling with cultural and political themes, using the project to speak directly to identity, immigration, and life between worlds. Songs like “NUEVAYoL” became conversation starters as much as chart performers.

The night showed how the Grammys are rewarding music that lasts, across artists, songs, and albums—beyond first-week numbers.

Songs that kept streaming. Albums people returned to. Artists who showed up across charts, stages, and playlists. Music that defined 2025.