Bad Bunny Grammy Nominations: Historic 2026 Achievement

Bad Bunny Grammy Nominations - Historic Achievement

Bad Bunny grammy nominations have reached unprecedented heights as the Puerto Rican superstar achieved a groundbreaking milestone in Grammy history. The three-time Grammy winner secured six nominations for the 2026 Grammy Awards, becoming the first Spanish-language artist to simultaneously earn nominations in all three major categories: Album of the Year, Record of the Year, and Song of the Year.

On Friday (November 7, 2025), the Puerto Rican superstar not only received six nominations for the 2026 Grammy Awards, but also made history as the first Latin artist to appear in three main categories in the same year: album of the year for Debí Tirar Más Fotos, and song of the year and record of the year for “DTMF”. This historic achievement comes just weeks before Bad Bunny’s highly anticipated Super Bowl LX halftime show performance on February 8, 2026.

The announcement, made during a star-studded event in Los Angeles, positioned Bad Bunny among music’s elite alongside fellow nominees Kendrick Lamar, Lady Gaga, and Sabrina Carpenter. Lamar, the rap king who took both record and song of the year at the most recent ceremony with his slam-dunk diss track “Not Like Us,” is the year’s top nominee with nine nods, most for his latest album, “GNX”.

Breaking Barriers in Spanish-Language Music

Bad Bunny’s “Debí Tirar Más Fotos” (“I Should Have Taken More Photos”) is only the second Spanish-language album nominated for Album of the Year, following his own “Un Verano Sin Ti” in 2023. The album’s title track, “DtMF,” represents another significant milestone. The album’s title track also earned him nominations in the song and record of the year categories — making Bad Bunny the second Spanish-language act to appear in the category and the first to appear across the big three in the same year. (“Despacito” from was the first Spanish-language song to appear in both the record and song categories in 2018.)

Industry experts have noted the profound significance of these nominations for Latin music representation. If Bad Bunny were to win Album Of The Year for “DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS,” it would be the first all-Spanish-language album to win the coveted Category. This potential victory would cement his legacy as a trailblazer who expanded the Recording Academy’s recognition of diverse musical expressions.

The cultural impact extends beyond individual achievement. The Los Angeles-based Recording Academy announced that more than 3,800 members of the Latin Recording Academy — whose 25th annual Latin Grammy Awards in Las Vegas on Nov. 13 will feature a performance by Bad Bunny — can now vote in the four highest-profile categories for the 2026 Grammy Awards: Album, Record and Song of the Year, and Best New Artist.

Album Analysis: “Debí Tirar Más Fotos”

The title track off Bad Bunny’s sixth studio album, “Debí Tirar Más Fotos,” or “DtMF,” marks one of his most vulnerable and mature offerings yet. Blending Puerto Rico’s native plena music with video-game beats and a homemade feel, the now 31-year-old superstar reflects on some of the most important things in life.

The emotional depth of the album resonated powerfully with audiences worldwide. “Debí tirar más fotos de cuando te tuve/ Debí darte más beso’ y abrazo’ las vece’ que pude” (“I should’ve taken more pictures when I had you/ I should’ve given you more kisses and hugs whenever I could”), he sings in the chorus, reminiscing about all the people who aren’t in his life anymore. The bittersweet feelings of the single struck a chord with fans, who used it on over 100,000 TikTok compilation videos as a tribute to lost loved ones.

The 17-song record is composed of música jíbara, or Puerto Rican folk, a staple of the island’s musical and cultural traditions, and tackles themes of political resistance and cultural pride. “At the peak of my career and popularity, I want to show the world who I am, who Benito Antonio is, and who Puerto Rico is,” he said upon its release.

Complete Nomination Breakdown

Bad Bunny's six nominations encompass a diverse range of categories

Bad Bunny’s six nominations encompass a diverse range of categories, demonstrating his artistic versatility and technical excellence. Bad Bunny is also nominated for best música urbana album, best global music performance for “EoO,” and best album cover as the art director for his LP’s artwork.

The nominations include:

Album of the Year for “Debí Tirar Más Fotos”

  • Record of the Year for “DtMF”
  • Song of the Year for “DtMF”
  • Best Música Urbana Album for “Debí Tirar Más Fotos”
  • Best Global Music Performance for “EoO”
  • Best Album Cover for “Debí Tirar Más Fotos”

The Best Album Cover nomination represents another first for Bad Bunny, as the inaugural Category celebrates art directors and their contributions to an album. This recognition acknowledges his involvement in every aspect of the album’s creation, from musical composition to visual presentation.

Super Bowl Synergy and Cultural Momentum

The timing of these nominations creates compelling narrative momentum leading into Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime show performance. Some awards pundits have said Bad Bunny’s upcoming Super Bowl halftime gig—which sparked some right-wing backlash over his Spanish-language music and opposition to the Trump administration’s immigration raids—could raise his profile and help him secure Grammy victories in February.

“What I’m feeling goes beyond myself. It’s for those who came before me and ran countless yards so I could come in and score a touchdown… this is for my people, my culture, and our history. Ve y dile a tu abuela, que seremos el HALFTIME SHOW DEL SUPER BOWL,” Bad Bunny stated upon the Super Bowl announcement.

The convergence of Grammy recognition and Super Bowl prominence positions February 2026 as a potentially transformative period for Latin music visibility in mainstream American culture. Bad Bunny (real name: Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio) has sung exclusively in Spanish on all his albums, including this year’s Album of the Year contender, “Debí Tirar Más Fotos” (“I Should Have Taken More Photos”).

Industry Context and Competition

The 2026 Grammy nominations reflect remarkable diversity across genres and demographics. Lady Gaga has seven and Carpenter, Bad Bunny and Leon Thomas, a singer, songwriter and producer, each have six. This parity among top nominees underscores the Recording Academy’s continued efforts to recognize excellence across musical boundaries.

The strong showing for hip-hop, K-pop and Latin pop — “Debí Tirar Más Fotos” is just the second Spanish-language LP to be nominated for album of the year (after Bad Bunny’s “Un Verano Sin Ti” in 2023) — can be seen as a result of the academy’s efforts to diversify its membership along age, race and gender lines.

The Album of the Year category presents particularly intense competition. Also nominated for album of the year, which can be understood as the Grammys’ equivalent of best picture: Carpenter’s “Man’s Best Friend,” Bad Bunny’s “Debí Tirar Más Fotos,” Clipse’s “Let God Sort Em Out,” Thomas’ “Mutt,” Tyler’s “Chromakopia” and Justin Bieber’s “Swag”.

Historical Significance and Future Implications

Bad Bunny’s achievement extends beyond personal recognition to represent broader cultural shifts within the music industry. He has won three Grammys — twice for música urbana album and once for Latin pop album — and has earned 10 nominations overall. These latest nominations bring his total Grammy recognition to 16 across his career.

The Recording Academy’s decision to expand voting membership demonstrates institutional recognition of Latin music’s commercial and artistic importance. “The addition of many Latin Recording Academy voting members underscores that music has no borders and that our mission to serve music people, regardless of where they are from, is stronger than ever,” said Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason, Jr.

Music industry analysts predict that Bad Bunny’s nominations could influence future Grammy consideration for Spanish-language and international artists. The precedent established by his multiple major category nominations may encourage the Recording Academy to maintain this inclusive approach in subsequent years.

Latin Grammy Connection

Bad Bunny leads the pack at the 2025 Latin GRAMMYS with 12 nominations, including Record Of The Year, Album Of The Year, Song Of The Year, Best Urban/Urban Fusion Performance, Best Reggaeton Performance, Best Urban Music Album, Best Urban Song, Best Roots Song, and Best Short Form Music Video. The Latin Grammy ceremony on November 13, 2025, serves as an immediate precursor to the Grammy Awards scheduled for February 1, 2026.

This dual recognition across both Grammy ceremonies highlights Bad Bunny’s unique position as an artist who transcends traditional market boundaries while maintaining authentic connection to Puerto Rican musical traditions.

Looking Toward Music’s Biggest Night

The 2026 Grammys will be held on Feb. 1, 2026, in Los Angeles, exactly one week before Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime performance. This scheduling creates unprecedented momentum for Latin music representation on two of America’s most-watched entertainment platforms.

The Grammy ceremony will broadcast live from Crypto.com Arena, with CBS television coverage and Paramount+ streaming options available to global audiences. Industry insiders anticipate significant international viewership, particularly from Latin American markets where Bad Bunny maintains massive popularity.

Whether Bad Bunny captures his first major Grammy category victory or simply maintains his groundbreaking nomination record, February 2026 represents a defining moment for Spanish-language music’s integration into mainstream American entertainment culture. The nominations alone have already secured his place as a transformative figure who expanded possibilities for artists performing in languages other than English.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many Grammy nominations did Bad Bunny receive for 2026?

Bad Bunny received six Grammy nominations for 2026, including the prestigious Album, Record, and Song of the Year categories for “Debí Tirar Más Fotos” and its title track “DtMF.”

What makes Bad Bunny’s 2026 Grammy nominations historic?

Bad Bunny became the first Spanish-language artist to simultaneously earn nominations in all three major Grammy categories (Album, Record, and Song of the Year) in a single year, breaking significant barriers for Latin music representation.

When will the 2026 Grammy Awards ceremony take place?

The 68th Annual Grammy Awards ceremony will be held on February 1, 2026, at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, broadcasting live on CBS and streaming on Paramount+.

What is “Debí Tirar Más Fotos” about?

The album title translates to “I Should Have Taken More Photos” and features deeply personal reflections on relationships, cultural identity, and Puerto Rican musical traditions, blending plena, reggaeton, and contemporary sounds.

How does Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl performance relate to his Grammy nominations?

Bad Bunny will headline the Super Bowl LX halftime show on February 8, 2026, exactly one week after the Grammy ceremony, creating unprecedented visibility for Spanish-language music on America’s biggest entertainment stages.

Has a Spanish-language album ever won Album of the Year before?

No Spanish-language album has ever won the Grammy for Album of the Year. Bad Bunny’s “Debí Tirar Más Fotos” represents only the second Spanish-language album nominated in this category, following his own “Un Verano Sin Ti” in 2023.

Author: Seanty Rodrigo

- Audio and Music Journalist

Seanty Rodrigo is a highly respected Audio Specialist and Senior Content Producer for GlobalMusicVibe.com. With professional training in sound design and eight years of experience as a touring session guitarist, Seanty offers a powerful blend of technical knowledge and practical application. She is the lead voice behind the site’s comprehensive reviews of high-fidelity headphones, portable speakers, and ANC earbuds, and frequently contributes detailed music guides covering composition and guitar technique. Seanty’s commitment is to evaluating gear the way a professional musician uses it, ensuring readers know exactly how products will perform in the studio or on the stage.

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