Politics was more important than music during the 2026 Grammys.
Anti-Immigration and Customs Enforcement sentiment suffocated the atmosphere of celebrating the hard work and talent of today’s musicians.
Every person has the right to free speech and to express his beliefs, but using a platform to alienate people with differing beliefs will not cultivate a musical culture for everyone to partake in. Bad Bunny, Shaboozy, Olivia Dean, Kehlani, and Billie Eilish’s statements during their acceptance speeches don’t spread awareness; they create division.
Bad Bunny — who won three of his six nominations, including Album of the Year for “Debí Tirar Más Fotos” — commented about ICE during his acceptance of Best Música Urbana Album for the same record.
“Before I say thanks to God, I’m going to say ICE out,” Bad Bunny said. “We’re not savage, we’re not animals, we’re not aliens. We are humans, and we are Americans.”
Billie Eilish also used her platform for politics, as she barely even recognized the fact that she had just won Song of the Year for “WILDFLOWER.”
“As grateful as I feel, I feel like I don’t need to say anything but that no one is illegal on stolen land,” Eilish said.
She called for her fellow musicians to speak out against injustice and ended her speech with an enthusiastic profanity against ICE. Eilish wasn’t the only star to use strong language against ICE and the Trump administration. Kehlani, who won Best R&B Song, closed her acceptance speech with the same vulgar phrase.
So why does politics need to infiltrate every aspect of human life? Can’t musicians create music and be grateful for the opportunity they have to use their talents and be recognized for it?
During Jelly Roll’s acceptance of Best Contemporary Country Album award for “Beautifully Broken,” he thanked Jesus and his wife for saving his life. He used his time on stage to preach the good news that “Jesus is for everybody,” and that music is also for everybody. His example was one of unification during a night of blatant division. Although not everyone may not be a Christian, his message centered on what he was there for — a recognition of his God-given talent for making music.
Even Bill Maher, a political independent, commented on the “virtue signaling” that was prevalent during the Grammys. He said what we’re all thinking: If you don’t have something nice to say, don’t say anything at all.
Artists who make their living in the entertainment industry should strive to entertain and bring joy to their audience. Music should be an escape from the fractured and sometimes scary world that we live in. Artists should consider keeping their political beliefs out of award ceremonies and refocusing themselves on the reason they create music. Politics shouldn’t be intertwined with music.
The fractured political world doesn’t need to corrupt the music industry. Artists have a right to create the music they want, but their goal should be unification, not division. Spreading hate through a platform does not inspire goodness in culture, and continued negative messaging from celebrities is a degradation of our culture. Especially when she lives in a $3 million mansion on Native American land (ahem, Billie Eilish).
