Cher’s Slip-Up as Kendrick Lamar and SZA Take Home Record of the Year at the 2026 Grammy Awards
Kendrick Lamar and SZA Take Home Record of the Year at 2026 Grammys Amid Presentation Mishap
Kendrick Lamar and SZA were awarded the prestigious Record of the Year at the 2026 Grammy Awards for their collaboration titled "Luther." The announcement was notable not only for the accolade but also for a humorous mistake made by presenter Cher, who mistakenly declared the late Luther Vandross as the winner.
During the ceremony held on February 1 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, Cher opened the envelope and stated that the honor went to Vandross. In reality, Lamar and SZA’s winning track samples Vandross’ classic duet from 1982, "If This World Were Mine," featuring Cheryl Lynn.
As the artists approached the stage, a reluctant Cher exclaimed, “No! Kendrick Lamar!” capturing the attention of the audience in a mix of laughter and surprise.
In his acceptance speech, Lamar conveyed heartfelt sentiments about the legendary artist, saying, “This is what music is about. Luther Vandross… this is special for me. I gotta take my time. It’s one of my favorite artists of all-time. They granted us the privilege to do our version of it. When we got that clearance, I promise you, we damn near all dropped a tear.”
Lamar’s other nominations at this year’s Grammys included Album of the Year and Best Rap Album for his project GNX, and he ultimately led the night with nine nominations. Meanwhile, SZA herself garnered an individual nomination for Best Traditional R&B Performance for her song "Crybaby."
Additionally, several other artists were nominated for Record of the Year, including Bad Bunny with "DtMF," Sabrina Carpenter’s "Manchild," and Billie Eilish’s "Wildflower."
Overall, the evening highlighted Lamar’s achievements, as he stood out with 22 Grammy Awards throughout his illustrious career, followed by Bruno Mars with 16 and Lady Gaga with 14. The presence of Vandross’s legacy, even in misidentification, cast a nostalgic aura over the celebration of contemporary music excellence.
