Who won Record of the Year at the 2026 Grammy Awards for 'luther'?

At the 68th Annual Grammy Awards, held on February 1, 2026, the prestigious Record of the Year award was presented to Kendrick Lamar for his track "luther." This significant win contributed to a historic night for Lamar, who became the most-awarded hip-hop artist in Grammy Awards history with five wins, including a sweep of the Rap categories.

The song "luther" features SZA and is notable for its respectful homage to the late R&B and soul legend Luther Vandross. The track ingeniously samples Vandross's 1982 hit with Cheryl Lynn, "If This World Were Mine," which itself was a cover of a Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell duet. This creative sampling helped "luther" resonate with both contemporary audiences and fans of classic soul music, demonstrating Lamar's artistry in blending genres and generations.

A memorable moment during the awards ceremony occurred when Cher, tasked with presenting the Record of the Year award, initially misread the card and announced "Luther Vandross" as the winner. This brief, humorous mix-up quickly clarified to reveal Kendrick Lamar and SZA as the rightful recipients, adding an unexpected and talked-about element to their victory. "luther" also secured a Grammy for Best Melodic Rap Performance, further solidifying its critical acclaim and impact within the music industry.