TGJ Roundtable: GRAMMY Awards 2026 Review

Welcome To The Latest TGJ Roundtable!

Over the years, That Grape Juice has established a distinguished voice that – whether loved or loathed – sparks discussion, debate, and on occasion drama!

Though comprised of seasoned writers who share a similar outlook on Urban Pop culture, the idiosyncrasies of the TGJ team members often lead to quite heated debates “behind the scenes” about the hottest topics.

Now, we give you a front-row seat to the show. In a format similar to ‘The View,’ TGJ team – Sam, Rashad, Malik, and Nadia – get real in a very candid way.

Today’s roundtable topic asks each anchor to share their thoughts on the…

GRAMMY Awards 2026

Sam

The summation of nominees at this year’s GRAMMYs let me know ahead of time what kind of show we were in for – and it played out accordingly. Like most award shows, the lineup is simply reflective of the broader music climate.

As such, while it’s been a year of enjoyable releases, there hasn’t been an avalanche of triple-A, blockbuster offerings from the industry’s most towering titans within the eligibility window. And this felt tangible in the level of competition in the nominations and across some of the names tapped to perform, too.

Still, there were pockets of enjoyment to be had.

The moment of the night unquestionably went to the stunning Lauryn Hill-led tribute to D’Angelo and Roberta Flack. A masterclass from all involved. Chills!

The relatively new Best New Artist segment continues to cement itself as a centerpiece of each GRAMMY broadcast. This year, Olivia Dean and Leon Thomas were particular highlights. KATSEYE, too, but gonna need the music to match the magic of their stage show.

Wildcard pick, perhaps, but I really appreciated Justin Bieber’s performance of ‘Yukon.’ Granted, I’m still not sure what the stripped-down creative was about, but I appreciated the stripping back of everything to let his vocal truly shine. Great tone and control.

Two decades in, Lady Gaga continues to delight. While I subscribe to the artistic mantra of “more is more,” I equally embraced the velocity of her solo offering. Mother Monster served charisma in earnest, and the camera work was super clever, too.

Bruno Mars. Hmm. I’m one of TGJ’s resident Hooligans, but I’m going to need more this era. ’I Just Might’ works as a GP-pleasing intro effort, but I can’t shake the feeling of it being at best “phoned in” and – at worst – parodic. Bruno has always had a knack for being able to “sell it” live. And while there was nothing technically ”wrong” with the performance, I wasn’t moved.

Similarly, I wanted to be more captivated by Sabrina Carpenter, especially with the amazing creative. However, ‘Manchild,’ much like the album it lives on, just doesn’t sufficiently build on the magic of its predecessor.

On the winners’ front, I continue to applaud the revitalized Academy’s “something for everyone” approach instead of clean sweeps.

Not the most compelling year, but not the worst. Roll on 2027.

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Rashad

Given how hit-or-miss the broadcast has been over the years, I’m proud to say I was pleasantly surprised by the 2026 iteration GRAMMYs.

Still calling for justice for Kehlani to have performed ‘Folded,’ I was pleased to see her collect her first TWO trophies – a much-deserved honor. Elsewhere, the winners were pretty much expected – even that historic grab of Billie Eilish‘s (even though I often scratch my head at why). And, of course, I was bummed Michelle Williams lost out on what would’ve been a historic victory for herself and Destiny’s Child.

Beyond the wins, I was pleased with the artists using the limited time in their acceptance speeches to address political issues – especially those who didn’t beat around the bush like Eilish, Bad Bunny, and Kehlani. I can only hope these artists continue to use their platforms to shine light on the injustices that are plaguing immigrants and other minorities.

On the performance front, I was hoping the standout would be that Best New Artist compilation but it wasn’t at all. The title easily goes to that star-studded Roberta Flack/D’Angelo tribute, which I am still catching my breath from.

Love or loathe her, Lauryn Hill’s star power simply cannot be denied!

I was disappointed in Gaga’s overly simplified showing, didn’t really see the hype around Bieber’s stripped ‘Yukon‘ showing (even though I enjoyed it), and am confused how Bruno pulled a double whammy and still didn’t manage to wow with either showing.

If I had to give a second place trophy for “best performance,” it would likely go to Sabrina Carpenter (with Tyler, the Creator being a close third). As a fan of theatrics and spectacle, I feel they definitely tapped into that more than any other performers of the night while managing to not get lost in all the action.

All-in-all, great show!

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Malik

The GRAMMYs reminded me exactly why it’s called Music’s Biggest Night.

From star-studded performances to Trevor Noah’s humor, the evening delivered on every level. The jokes were the cherry on top, setting the tone for a night that celebrated what it truly means to be an artist in an industry that continues to evolve and diversify.

One of the standout moments for me was the new artist showcase featuring Leon Thomas, Lola Young, and Olivia Dean. Each artist embodied the essence of their genre, tapping into the soul behind the music and proving why real talent still matters. Their performances felt intentional, raw, and rooted in artistry.

As the night went on, the ceremony leaned into political commentary, with Trevor Noah throwing jabs at both Nicki Minaj and Donald Trump, sparking reactions that quickly spilled onto social media in the form of tweets and even lawsuits.

The D’Angelo and Roberta Flack tribute was a powerful nod to Black music and its legacy. While beautifully coordinated, the stage felt slightly overcrowded for such an intimate moment. Still, Chaka Khan and Lauryn Hill delivered great performances that commanded respect for the artists that we have lost.

Bad Bunny also used his platform to address real-world issues, calling attention to ICE and government actions, reinforcing the night’s theme of artists speaking out.

Overall, the Grammys were more than an awards show; they were a cultural moment, highlighting music as a vehicle for expression, resistance, and truth.

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Nadia

This year’s GRAMMYs were definitely about artist getting their flowers – even before the show. And who better to be celebrated than the Songbird herself, Mariah Carey. She received the MusicCares Person of the Year three nights before, which was so well deserved, but I don’t know if the tribute acts were quite what I expected.

On the broadcast itself, one of the main standouts of the night had to be the Lauryn Hill-led tribute to D’Angelo and Roberta Flack. 10/10 lineup of performers, everything flowed effortlessly, and Leon Thomas, Bilal, Lucky Daye, Wycleaf Jean, and Lauryn did not disappoint.

All in all, this year’s show saw those who have worked hard and made an impact receive their due.

Shoutout to Bad Bunny for making history, Kendrick Lamar for becoming the most Grammy-awarded rapper, to Durand Benarr for winning his first Grammy and his hilarious speech, and Kehlani for getting her first Grammy win, and all the great achievements we witnessed.

This year will be a memorable one as usual. I enjoyed all the moments. What a great start to Black History Month.

Your thoughts?

[Photo Credit: Getty / Recording Academy / Reuters]