One week earlier than he’s set to headline the Super Bowl LX halftime show and on an evening when he made Grammys historical past, Bad Bunny used his time on stage to ship a pointed political message that protested the current actions of Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Accepting the award for finest música urbana album, Bad Bunny started his speech saying, “Before I say thanks to God, I’m gonna say: ICE out!”
The crowd contained in the present, which came about in Los Angeles, overwhelmingly responded with cheers, in response to what was heard on the telecast.
“We’re not savage, we’re not animals, we’re not aliens,” he stated. “We are humans and we are Americans.”
After pausing whereas the viewers applauded, Bad Bunny continued: “I know it’s tough not to hate on these days, and I was thinking, sometimes we get contaminados – I don’t know how to say that in English – the hate gets more powerful with more hate.”
“The only thing that is more powerful than hate is love,” he stated. “So, please, we need to be different. If we fight, we have to do it with love.”
The phrase “ICE out” has been used at protests as a name for an finish to the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown.
Bad Bunny received a complete of three awards on Sunday, one in every of which was a history-making win for album of the 12 months for “Debí Tirar Más Fotos (I Should Have Taken More Photos).” It is the primary time a Spanish-language album has claimed the Recording Academy’s high prize.
During his emotional acceptance speech, delivered principally in Spanish, Bad Bunny devoted his win to “all the people who had to leave their homeland, their country to follow their dreams.”
Bad Bunny’s feedback come amid nationwide anti-ICE protests that came about over the weekend. On Friday, Bruce Springsteen made a shock look at a live performance organized by Rage Against the Machine’s Tom Morello in Minneapolis, an occasion that benefitted the households of Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti, who have been each killed by federal officers final month.
Springsteen launched a track final week titled “Streets of Minneapolis,” which he devoted to the folks of Minneapolis, in addition to Good and Pretti’s reminiscence.
Billie Eilish additionally spoke out towards ICE on stage on the Grammys, however viewers at residence didn’t hear the total extent of her feedback.
While accepting the Grammy for track of the 12 months for “Wildflower,” Eilish, who has been an outspoken critic of actions made by ICE officers in current weeks, stated “no one is illegal on stolen land.”
In photos: The 2026 Grammy Awards
“It’s just really hard to know what to say and what to do right now,” she continued, happening to encourage everybody to “keep fighting and speaking up and protesting.”
The finish of her speech was bleeped by tv censors however, in response to video footage posted on-line, Eilish stated, “F**k ICE.”
Earlier within the telecast, finest new artist winner Olivia Dean additionally made a politically-tinged assertion on stage.
The British singer and songwriter, who has Caribbean roots, acknowledged throughout her acceptance speech that she is the “granddaughter of an immigrant.”
“I’m a product of bravery, and I think that those people deserve to be celebrated,” she stated. “We’re nothing without each other.”
Grammys host Trevor Noah took a extra lighthearted strategy to commenting on the state of the union.
During his opening monologue, he made a joke about rapper Nicki Minaj – who lately known as herself President Donald Trump’s “number one fan” – was not on the Grammys as a result of she was “still at the White House discussing very important issues.”
Trump later shared his ideas on the telecast on Truth Social, calling the Grammy Awards “virtually unwatchable.”
Noah additionally did a bit with Bad Bunny previous to the musician’s win, asking if he may dwell in Puerto Rico if issues preserve getting worse in America.
“Well, I have some news for you,” Bad Bunny stated. “Puerto Rico is part of America.”
Bad Bunny’s feedback will possible stir up controversy which have dominated the dialog round his halftime efficiency since his choice was introduced.
Some in conservative circles have been against his look on sports activities’ largest stage because it was introduced, stemming from the actual fact he excluded the continental United States from his 2025-2026 live performance tour, a call he stated he made out of concern that ICE may probably raid the live performance venues.
Others on the suitable have been important of Bad Bunny’s music catalogue, which completely comprises Spanish songs.
Conservative nonprofit Turning Point USA created counter-programming to Bad Bunny’s Halftime Show efficiency that the group says is extra aligned with their values. The lineup of performers has not been confirmed.