Cher’s Luther Vandross Mistake Highlights Kendrick Lamar & SZA’s Grammy Win

At the 2026 Grammy Awards, Kendrick Lamar and SZA were awarded Record of the Year, but the moment was momentarily overshadowed by a humorous blunder from presenter Cher. The ceremony took place at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on February 1, marking an iconic night in music.

Cher’s Mistake at the 2026 Grammys

As Cher opened the envelope announcing the winner, she mistakenly declared the late Luther Vandross as the recipient. Lamar, 38, and SZA, 36, actually won for their collaboration “Luther.” This track samples Vandross’ classic duet with Cheryl Lynn titled “If This World Were Mine.”

Amid the confusion, Cher exclaimed, “No! Kendrick Lamar!” as the artists took their cautious steps to the stage, prompting laughter from the audience.

Highlights from the Ceremony

The 68th Grammy Awards celebrated the best of music released between August 31, 2024, and August 30, 2025. Lamar led the nominations with an impressive nine nods, while other notable nominees included Lady Gaga, Bad Bunny, and Sabrina Carpenter.

Kendrick Lamar’s Nominations

• Album of the Year
• Best Rap Album for “GNX”
• Song of the Year for “Luther”
• Best Melodic Rap Performance for “Luther”
• Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for “30 for 30” with SZA
• Best Rap Performance for “Chains and Whips” with Clipse and Pharrell Williams
• Best Rap Song for “TV Off”

SZA also received an individual nomination for Best Traditional R&B Performance for “Crybaby.”

Other Nominees and Their Honors

Lady Gaga tallied seven nominations, including Album of the Year and Best Pop Vocal Album for “Mayhem.” Bad Bunny and Sabrina Carpenter each secured six nominations for their respective projects.

Overall, the 2026 Grammys showcased extraordinary talent, reminding fans of both the joy and humor within the music industry.