Universal Music Group UK chairman & CEO Dickon Stainer has hailed Grammys victories for British stars as “a pivotal moment” for domestic talent internationally.
Victories for Olivia Dean and Lola Young represented a new wave of British talent making an impact on the global stage. Ahead of the ceremony, both artists attended Sir Lucian Grainge’s 2026 Music is Universal Artist Showcase.
Following the huge global impact of Olivia Dean’s The Art Of Loving (Capitol) and its multiple hit singles, the UK artist has triumphed in the Best New Artist category at the Grammys. Dean performed Man I Need at the ceremony in LA.
Olivia Dean is the first British act to win Best New Artist at the Grammys since Dua Lipa in 2019. She was presented with her award by last year's recipient Chappell Roan. The Art Of Loving was itself not eligible this time as it was released after the cut-off date.
"I'm up here as the granddaughter of an immigrant," said the singer. "I'm a product of bravery and I think those people deserve to be celebrated. We're nothing without each other."
Olivia Dean and UMG CEO & chairman Sir Lucian Grainge (credit: Lester Cohen/Getty Images)
Dean’s Man I Need is currently at a new high of No.2 on the US Hot 100 (one of several singles on the rundown), while The Art Of Loving has rebounded to its No.3 peak. With a Grammys boost, a No.1 on either US chart is now possible.
In the UK, Dean is nominated for five BRIT Awards at this month’s ceremony (equal with Lola Young) as well as securing multiple nods at the MOBO Awards.
Lola Young’s Messy (Island) won Best Pop Solo Performance following its huge streaming success and Top 20 position on the Hot 100.
Young was also up for the Best New Artist Grammy and performed as part of a segment featuring all the category nominees. It marked the UK artist’s return to a televised performance following a break last year to protect her health.
Meanwhile, UK veterans The Cure won two Grammys – Best Alternative Music Performance for Alone and Best Alternative Music Album for Songs Of A Lost World (Polydor).
Dickon Stainer, Chairman & CEO of Universal Music Group UK & Ireland, said: “These Grammy wins for Olivia Dean and Lola Young mark a pivotal moment in the resurgence of British music on the global stage. Seeing these young artists recognised alongside The Cure, after their near 50-year wait, is the surest sign yet that British talent is moving back to its rightful place at the forefront of worldwide music.”
The victories follow Music Week’s Universal Music Group UK special issue last year in which Stainer and the team outlined the company’s global ambitions.
Sir Lucian Grainge, Lola Young and Dickon Stainer (credit: Lester Cohen/Getty Images)
Other British winners included Yungblud (Best Rock Performance – for Changes), FKA Twigs (Best Dance/Electronic Album for Eusexua) and Cynthia Erivo (Best Pop Duo/Group Performance with Ariana Grande for Defying Gravity).
Prior to the main ceremony, Raye won the Recording Academy's Harry Belafonte Best Song for Social Change Award (Ice Cream Man).
BPI CEO Dr Jo Twist said: "Congratulations to Olivia Dean, Lola Young, FKA Twigs, Yungblud, Cynthia Erivo, The Cure, and the other British artists who were awarded and nominated at last night's Grammy Awards – and to Olivia and Lola for their sensational performances.
"Recognition like this is more than a gesture. It’s proof that British music is well and truly world-class, an acknowledgment of last year's many UK musical breakthroughs, and a reminder that the UK remains one of the best places in the world for artists to launch and develop their careers, supported by our record label members and the wider music ecosystem.
"What's more, four of last night's winners (FKA Twigs, Lola Young, Olivia Dean and Raye) are alumni of the free-to-attend BRIT School in Croydon, making last night an incredible testament both to the power of creative education and to the importance of making it accessible to as many young Brits as possible."
Among big category winners, Bad Bunny took home three trophies and became the first artist to win Album Of The Year (for Debí Tirar Más Fotos) with a Spanish-language LP in the history of the Grammy Awards. The Puerto Rican rapper and singer – who topped Spotify’s global artist rankings last year – was one of several artists to speak out on President Trump’s policies on immigration enforcement.
Luther by Kendrick Lamar and SZA was named Record Of The Year – one of five awards for Lamar including Grammys for Rap Song and Rap Album. With 27 trophies, he has become the most awarded rapper in Grammys history after breaking Jay-Z’s record.
Meanwhile, Billie Eilish won Song Of The Year for Wildflower. It is her third track to win in the category this decade.
(L-R) Justin Eshak, Monte Lipman, Jo Charrington, Emily Braham, Olivia Dean, Sir Lucian Grainge, Dickon Stainer, Avery Lipman and Imran Majid attend Sir Lucian Grainge's 2026 Music Is Universal Artist Showcase at Nya Studios (Photo by Lester Cohen/Getty Images for Universal Music Group)
Following Golden Globes success, Golden by Huntr/x from K-Pop Demon Hunters made history as the first K-pop song to win a Grammy (Best Song Written For Visual Media).
Lady Gaga collected the award for Best Pop Vocal Album Grammy for Mayhem, as well as Best Dance Pop Recording for Abracadabra.
Amy Allen retained her Grammys title in the Songwriter Of The Year category, while Cirkut was named Producer Of The Year. Both worked on the global smash Apt by Rosé and Bruno Mars.
The ceremony also featured a tribute to Ozzy Osbourne with a cover of War Pigs by Post Malone, Slash and Chad Smith, while Lauryn Hill was joined by multiple guests for a performance in honour of D’Angelo and Roberta Flack.
MAIN PHOTO: Kevin Winter/Johnny Nunez, Getty for the Recording Academy
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