The 2026 Grammy Awards are officially underway in Los Angeles, and as trophies begin to roll out across the Recording Academy’s 95 categories, Black excellence is already making its presence felt.
Sunday’s ceremony spans the full day, starting with the Premiere Ceremony and building toward the primetime broadcast from Crypto.com Arena, hosted once again by Trevor Noah. And while the biggest categories will be revealed later tonight, several standout wins are already setting the tone.
This year’s Grammys arrive with major momentum behind some of music’s most influential Black artists. Kendrick Lamar leads all nominees with nine nominations, with the potential to make history in the top categories. Rising R&B star Leon Thomas also enters the night with six nominations.
Here at The Quintessential Gentleman, we’re keeping a live pulse on the Black men and Black-led projects taking home Grammy gold.
Below is a running list of the winners so far. (This list will continue to update throughout the night.)
Best Score Soundtrack for Visual Media (Film and Television)
Sinners – Ludwig Göransson, composer
Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media
Sinners (Various Artists) – Ryan Coogler, Ludwig Göransson & Serena Göransson, compilation producers, Niki Sherrod, music supervisor
Best R&B Album
MUTT – Leon Thomas
Best Traditional R&B Performance
VIBES DON’T LIE – Leon Thomas
Best Rap Performance
Chains & Whips – Clipse, Pusha T & Malice feat. Kendrick Lamar & Pharrell Williams
Best Melodic Rap Performance
Luther – Kendrick Lamar with SZA
Best Rap Song
tv off – Kendrick Lamar feat. Lefty Gunplay
Best Spoken Word Poetry Album
Words For Days Vol. 1 – Mad Skillz
Best Country Duo/Group Performance
Amen – Shaboozey & Jelly Roll
Best Progressive R&B Album
BLOOM – Durand Bernarr
Contemporary Blues Album
Preacher Kids – Robert Randolph
Best Album Cover
Chromokopia – Tyler the Creator
Best Traditional Blues Album
Ain’t Done With The Blues -Buddy Guy
Best Jazz Performance
Windows – Live — Chick Corea, Christian McBride & Brian Blade
Best Jazz Instrumental Album
Southern Nights — Sullivan Fortner Featuring Peter Washington & Marcus Gilmore
Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album
Without Further Ado, Vol 1 — Christian McBride Big Band
Best Americana Album
Big Money – Jon Batiste
Best Bluegrass Album
Highway Prayers — Billy Strings
Best Contemporary Blues Album
Preacher Kids — Robert Randolph
Best Regional Roots Music Album
A Tribute to the King of Zydeco — Various Artists
Best Gospel Album
Heart Of Mine — Darrel Walls, PJ Morton
Best Roots Gospel Album
I Will Not Be Moved (Live) — The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir
Best Reggae Album
BLXXD & FYAH — Keznamdi
Children’s Music Album
Harmony – FYÜTCH & Aura V
Best Rap Album
GNX – Kendrick Lamar
