Bad Bunny becomes first Spanish artist to win Album of the Year at Grammys

Puerto Rican star, Bad Bunny, wins top Grammy for Debí Tirar Mas Fotos and dedicates award to immigrants

Bad Bunny has become the first artist in the 68-year history of the Grammy Awards to win album of the year with a record sung entirely in Spanish.

The Puerto Rican musician received the honour for his sixth album, Debí Tirar Mas Fotos, which triumphed over releases by Lady Gaga, Kendrick Lamar and Sabrina Carpenter.

The 31-year-old, who is set to headline next week’s Super Bowl half-time show, dedicated the prize to immigrants during a ceremony where several performers addressed the current immigration crackdown in the United States. British singer Olivia Dean, named best new artist, also spoke on the subject.

“I'm up here as the grand-daughter of an immigrant,” Dean said. “I'm a product of bravery and I think those people deserve to be celebrated. We're nothing without each other.”

Bad Bunny, whose real name is Benito Ocasio, appeared stunned when Harry Styles announced the winner. After pausing to compose himself, he told the audience the award was “to all the people that had to leave their home, land, their country, to follow their dreams”.

Earlier in the night, while accepting best música urbana album, he made a more direct statement. “Before I say thanks to God, I'm going to say ICE out,” he said. “We're not savages, we're not animals, we're not aliens, we are humans and we are Americans.”

Billie Eilish, who won song of the year for Wildflower with her brother Finneas, also referred to the political climate. “It's just really hard to know what to say and what to do right now,” she said. “And I feel like we just need to keep fighting and speaking up and protesting. Our voices really do matter, and the people matter.”

The ceremony brought further milestones. Kendrick Lamar won best rap album for GNX, surpassing Jay-Z as the rapper with the most Grammy Awards at 26, before earning a 27th trophy for record of the year with Luther, his duet with SZA.