Cher’s Memorable Grammy Moments: A Closer Look at Her 2026 Appearance and Early Exit
Kendrick Lamar and SZA Win Record of the Year at the 2026 Grammys
Kendrick Lamar, featuring SZA, won the prestigious Record of the Year award for their song "Luther" during the 68th Annual Grammy Awards, held at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on February 1, 2026. The evening was marked by a lighthearted moment when Cher, the presenter of the award, briefly misread the winner’s name.
Cher, who had just received the Recording Academy’s Lifetime Achievement Award, returned to the stage to announce the winner. Appearing flustered, she mistakenly announced "Luther Vandross"—the late singer who inspired the winning track—before swiftly correcting herself to recognize Lamar and SZA.
“Oh! They told me it was going to be on a prompter,” Cher, 79, said. “Oh, the Grammy goes to Luther Vandross. Oh Kendrick, no Kendrick Lamar!”
The slip-up elicited laughter from the audience, with the camera capturing Kendrick’s amused reaction. As he and SZA made their way to the stage, Cher appeared to mouth an apology.
"Luther," from Kendrick’s 2024 album GNX, samples Vandross and Cheryl Lynn’s 1982 duet “If This World Were Mine,” a connection that surfaced during the acceptance speeches.
“This is what music is about. Luther Vandross, this is special for me. I gotta take my time,” Kendrick, 38, expressed emotionally. “When we got that clearance, I promise you, we definitely all dropped a tear.”
He further shared that working on the song was a privilege and emphasized their commitment to creating a representation of love without cursing. “So I want to appreciate and give thanks to SZA,” he concluded.
In her response, SZA, 36, thanked Kendrick for his support and encouraged people not to fall into despair despite present challenges. “I know the algorithms tell us that it’s so scary and all is lost. We can go on, we need each other. We need to trust each other and trust ourselves,” she stated.
This year’s nominees for Record of the Year also included Lady Gaga’s "Abracadabra," Doechii’s "Anxiety," and Billie Eilish’s "Wildflower," among others. The Recording Academy defines the award as recognizing not only the single track but also the overall contributions of producers and engineers involved.
Released in November 2024, "Luther" reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and also garnered nominations for Song of the Year and Best Melodic Rap Performance during this year’s event. Both Kendrick and SZA were additionally nominated for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for their collaboration “30 for 30.”
Kendrick’s accolades were extensive, earning nominations for Album of the Year and Best Rap Album with GNX, alongside others for Best Rap Performance and Best Rap Song. Ultimately, he took home five awards, further solidifying his impact on this year’s Grammy Awards.
