'Before I say thanks to God, I’m gonna say: ICE out' - Bad Bunny gets a thundering standing ovation at Grammy Awards 2026; Watch his viral speech video

Puerto Rican rapper and singer Bad Bunny sparked a powerful moment at the 68th Annual Grammy Awards after winning Best Música Urbana Album for Debí Tirar Más Fotos. Before offering traditional thank-yous, he opened his acceptance speech by declaring, “Before I say thanks to God, I’m gonna say: ICE out,” prompting a thundering standing ovation from the audience at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Sunday night. The Puerto Rican star went on to emphasize unity and humanity, rejecting dehumanizing labels and urging people to choose love over hate - words that quickly went viral across social platforms.


"Before I say thanks to God, I’m gonna say: ICE out," said Bad Bunny, who was announced as a headliner for the upcoming Super Bowl Halftime Show, in his viral speech before his customary thank you address.


"We are not savage, we are not animals, we are not aliens, we are humans and we are Americans. The hate gets more powerful with more hate. The only thing that is more powerful than hate is love. So, please, we need to be different.

"If we fight, we have to do it with love. We don’t hate them. We love our people. We love our family, and that’s the way to do it. With love. Don’t forget that please. Thank you."


The remarks reflect Bad Bunny’s long-standing criticism of US immigration enforcement, particularly Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). In recent months, the artist has spoken openly about how ICE operations have affected his choices, including his decision to scale back performances in the United States amid concerns over possible immigration raids.

Olivia Dean won the Best New Artist award at the 68th Annual Grammy Awards, which aired live on CBS and Paramount+. Comedian Trevor Noah returned to host the ceremony for the sixth consecutive year, marking his final time in the role. At the Premiere Ceremony, 'Golden' from KPop Demon Hunters won Best Song Written for Visual Media, making history as the first K-pop act to win a Grammy. The song’s writers accepted the award with a bilingual speech in English and Korean, underscoring its global reach and cross-cultural appeal.

Kendrick Lamar, the most-nominated artist of the night with nine nods, won Best Rap Album for GNX, marking the first televised award of the ceremony. He had already picked up three Grammy wins during the pre-show.

Legendary singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell earned the Best Historical Album award for her compilation Joni Mitchell Archives - Volume 4: The Asylum Years (1976-1980), further adding to her celebrated Grammy legacy.