Grammys 2026: Trevor Noah returns as host for sixth and last time; sets the tone with sharp humour

Show host Trevor Noah speaks during the 68th Annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles. (Photo: Reuters)

• Trevor Noah hosted the 2026 Grammys for his sixth and final time
• Noah's monologue blended pop culture jokes, music insights, and celebrity shoutouts.
• Kendrick Lamar, Olivia Dean, and Nicki Minaj were the night's top stars.

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The biggest and most glamorous night in music officially returned with the 68th edition of the Grammy Awards, and as expected, the ceremony opened on a lively, high-energy note. Held in Los Angeles, the 2026 Grammys brought together the world’s biggest music stars for an evening defined by show-stopping performances, elaborate stage designs and moments designed to linger long after the final award was handed out.

Helming the ceremony once again was comedian Trevor Noah, who returned as host for what he confirmed is his sixth and final time. From the moment he stepped on stage, Noah made it clear that this year’s Grammys would be as much about laughter and cultural commentary as it would be about music. Before Sabrina Carpenter’s performance, he warmed up the crowd with light-hearted jokes and even took a moment to wish Justin Bieber on the arrival of his baby, instantly setting a relaxed, celebratory tone.

Also Read: Complete List of Winners of Grammys 2026

Noah’s opening monologue blended pop culture, industry observations and sharp punchlines. One of the most talked-about segments came when he addressed Kendrick Lamar’s feud with Drake. Just before Lamar took the stage, Noah admitted he was cautious about cracking jokes at the rapper’s expense. “Rappers are doing full on detective work,” Noah said, referencing Lamar’s diss track Not Like Us.

Standing near Kandrick Lamar in the audience, Noah expanded on hip-hop’s cultural dominance, saying, “Hip hop itself has evolved, it’s gone from being a side thing to being the culture. Business, fashion, everything is hip hop these days. It was so much simpler when all you had to worry about was being shot, but now they hurt your feelings.”

Toward the end of his monologue, Noah shifted focus to artists making waves beyond the charts. He encouraged the audience to applaud Olivia Dean, nominated for Best New Artist, praising her for standing up for fans. “And you should be nominated for most amazing and thoughtful artist, because she fought Ticketmaster to stop resellers from ripping fans off,” Noah said, referring to a viral incident where concert tickets were relisted at inflated prices. “Which is amazing, because if the fans can’t afford tickets, we can’t have live music,” he added, before delivering another punchline, “And without concerts, how would we find out which CEOs are having affairs on the Jumbotron?”

Noah also singled out Doechii’s hit Anxiety, as he joked that it has effectively become the nation’s “national anthem,” although he also reminded viewers that the night was ultimately about “good vibes.”

One of the loudest reactions from the audience came when Noah pointed out Nicki Minaj’s absence. “She is still at the White House with Donald Trump discussing very important issues,” he joked, before impersonating Trump and asking, “Who has the biggest ass?” The quip referenced Nicki Minaj’s recent appearance alongside Trump at a Treasury Department summit, where the former president publicly praised her.

Noah also acknowledged “royalty in the house,” giving shoutouts to Queen Latifah and Jamie Foxx, before a jab at Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. “There are so many stars in this room I feel like I’m at Jeff Bezos’ wedding, but with more Black people,” he joked.