Billie Eilish And Finneas Make Grammy History

On the evening of February 2, 2026, the spotlight in Los Angeles shone brightly on Billie Eilish and her brother Finneas O’Connell as they made history at the 68th annual Grammy Awards. Their song “Wildflower,” a standout track from Eilish’s 2024 album Hit Me Hard and Soft, clinched the coveted Song of the Year trophy, marking a new milestone for the sibling duo and the music industry at large.

As the tension in the room built, the announcement of “Wildflower” as Song of the Year was met with raucous applause. Eilish and Finneas walked onstage, visibly moved. This moment wasn’t just another win—it was their third time taking home the Song of the Year award, making them the first artists ever to achieve this feat in the category’s history, according to Los Angeles Times. Their previous wins came in 2020 for “Bad Guy” and 2024 for “What Was I Made For?”—a testament to their enduring impact on contemporary pop music.

Eilish, now a ten-time Grammy winner, accepted the award with her trademark humility and candor. “Thank you so much. I can’t believe this. Everyone else in this category, you’re so amazing, I love you so much, and I feel so honored every time I get to be in this room,” she began, her voice trembling with emotion. But her speech quickly shifted from gratitude to activism, echoing the urgent themes that permeated the night. “I don’t feel like I need to say anything but that no one is illegal on stolen land. Yeah, it’s really hard to know what to say and what to do right now. I feel really hopeful in this room, and I feel like we need to keep fighting and speaking up and protesting. Our voices really do matter, and the people matter, and fuck ICE. Thank you so much; I can’t believe this,” she declared, as reported by Pitchfork and the Associated Press.

The win for “Wildflower” was made possible by its re-release as a single in February 2025, which rendered it eligible for the 2026 Grammys despite its original debut on the 2024 album. The song was also a contender for Record of the Year, further underscoring its resonance with audiences and critics alike. Finneas, who co-wrote and produced the track, joined his sister onstage, sharing in the historic achievement that now defines their careers.

This year’s Song of the Year field was especially competitive, featuring an array of global superstars and emerging talents. The nominees included Bad Bunny (“DTMF”), Doechii (“Anxiety”), Huntr/x (“Golden”), Kendrick Lamar & SZA (“Luther”), Lady Gaga (“Abracadabra”), Rosé & Bruno Mars (“Apt.”), and Sabrina Carpenter (“Manchild”). Each brought their own distinct flavor to the table, but it was “Wildflower” that ultimately captured the hearts of the Recording Academy.

Before the 2026 ceremony, the nominees were already music royalty in their own right. Bruno Mars had amassed 16 Grammy wins, Lady Gaga 14, Eilish nine, SZA five, Bad Bunny three, Sabrina Carpenter two, and Doechii had made history with her own groundbreaking win. The only relative newcomers in the Song of the Year category were Huntr/x, the breakout stars behind “Kpop Demon Hunters,” and Blackpink’s Rosé, both of whom were seeking their first major Grammy victories.

The night was not only about Eilish and Finneas’s triumph. The Grammys celebrated a host of other artists who pushed boundaries and broke records. Olivia Dean took home Best New Artist, while Kendrick Lamar and SZA snagged Record of the Year. Bad Bunny’s album Debí Tirar Más Fotos was honored as Album of the Year, and Lady Gaga’s Mayhem won Pop Vocal Album. Jelly Roll’s Beautifully Broken claimed the inaugural Contemporary Country Album award, marking a shift in how the Academy recognizes the evolving landscape of country music. Notably, Kendrick Lamar’s win for Rap Album with GNX brought his career Grammy total to 26, surpassing Jay-Z’s previous record and cementing Lamar’s legacy as the most decorated rapper in Grammy history, according to the Associated Press.

Immigration and social justice issues were at the forefront of the evening, with artists using their platforms to advocate for change. Eilish’s forceful critique of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) set the tone, but she was far from alone in her activism. Bad Bunny, accepting his award for Best Música Urbana Album, declared, “Before I say thanks to God, I’m going to say ICE out. We’re not savage, we’re not animals, we’re not aliens. We are humans and we are Americans,” as reported by AP. Olivia Dean, herself the granddaughter of an immigrant, tearfully acknowledged her heritage: “I never really imagined that I would be up here. I’m up here as a granddaughter of an immigrant. I wouldn’t be here ... I am a product of bravery and I think that those people deserve to be celebrated.”

Other winners and presenters echoed these calls for solidarity and justice. Shaboozey, who won alongside Jelly Roll for Country Duo/Group Performance, honored his mother’s immigrant story, saying, “Immigrants built this country, literally, actually. So, this for them. Thank you for bringing your culture, your music and your stories.” Amy Allen and Kehlani, both sporting “ICE Out” pins, used their moments onstage to denounce the agency’s actions. Even backstage, the mood was charged; Gloria Estefan confessed, “I’m scared. There are hundreds of children in detention centers. … I don’t recognize my country in this moment right now.”

The 2026 Grammys also celebrated diversity and first-time winners. The Premiere Ceremony saw the Dalai Lama win his first Grammy for audio book narration, besting Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson. “Golden” from “KPop Demon Hunters” became the first K-pop song to win a Grammy, its songwriters delivering a bilingual acceptance speech. Director Steven Spielberg achieved EGOT status after “Music for John Williams” won for music film, joining the exclusive club of artists who have won an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony.

Performances throughout the night reflected the eclectic and international spirit of the nominees. Rosé and Bruno Mars opened the show with a vibrant rendition of “Apt.”, while Lady Gaga transformed “Abracadabra” into an electrifying electro-rock number. Lola Young, winner of Pop Solo Performance for “Messy,” kept things light, joking about her lack of a prepared speech before expressing heartfelt gratitude.

For those tuning in from home, the main Grammy Awards show was broadcast live on CBS and accessible via streaming platforms like Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, FuboTV, and Paramount+ Premium, ensuring that fans across the globe could witness the historic moments as they unfolded, according to AP.

As the confetti settled and the final notes faded, the 2026 Grammy Awards stood as a powerful reminder of music’s ability to unite, inspire, and challenge. Billie Eilish and Finneas, with their record-setting win and impassioned call for justice, left an indelible mark—not just on the industry, but on the cultural conversation itself.