The 68th Annual GRAMMY Awards took place today in Los Angeles, gathering the global music industry for a night honoring excellence across genres. Hosted by Trevor Noah, the ceremony drew top artists, executives, and creatives from around the world, with pop, hip-hop, country, and classical music sharing the spotlight alongside faith-driven artistry. Gospel and Christian music were once again prominently represented, with artists including CeCe Winans, Kirk Franklin, Tasha Cobbs Leonard, Brandon Lake, Israel & New Breed, and The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir reflecting the enduring impact of sacred music on one of the world's most influential stages. Against this backdrop, the GRAMMYs delivered a set of Christian and Gospel wins that emphasized spiritual depth, artistic maturity, and lasting congregational influence.
Gospel Performance / Song
Winner: "Come Jesus Come" - CeCe Winans featuring Shirley Caesar
This win felt both timely and timeless. "Come Jesus Come" is not built for trend cycles or streaming algorithms; it is rooted in prayer, longing, and theological clarity. The pairing of CeCe Winans with Shirley Caesar brought generational authority to a song that resonated as a modern hymn. In a strong field that included Kirk Franklin, Tasha Cobbs Leonard, and Jonathan McReynolds, voters ultimately affirmed reverence over reinvention.
Our take: A deserved win that underscores gospel music's enduring spiritual core.
Contemporary Christian Music Performance / Song
Winner: "Hard Fought Hallelujah" - Brandon Lake with Jelly Roll
Perhaps the most predictable-and defensible-win of the night. "Hard Fought Hallelujah" captured the emotional language of contemporary faith: wounded, honest, and resilient. Brandon Lake continues to define the sound of modern worship's emotional center, while Jelly Roll's contribution felt testimonial rather than transactional. The collaboration transcended genre without diluting conviction.
Our take: A clear reflection of where CCM is heading-raw faith expressed in public spaces.
Gospel Album
Winner: Heart of Mine - Darrel Walls & PJ Morton
This project stood out for its craftsmanship. Blending church-rooted gospel sensibilities with refined musical artistry, Heart of Mine felt intimate and intentional. While live albums and powerhouse vocal showcases dominated the category, voters rewarded a record that leaned into nuance, restraint, and musicianship.
Our take: A win that affirms gospel as both ministry and art.
Contemporary Christian Music Album
Winner: Coritos Vol. 1 - Israel & New Breed
This victory carried legacy weight. Coritos Vol. 1 celebrated multilingual, multicultural worship and reminded listeners of Israel & New Breed's decades-long influence on the global church. While other nominees boasted strong commercial momentum, this album represented something broader: the sound of the gathered people of God.
Our take: A legacy-forward win that honors worship as communal formation, not just consumption.
Roots Gospel Album
Winner: I Will Not Be Moved (Live) - The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir
Few wins felt more fitting. The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir remains synonymous with congregational worship and unembellished gospel tradition. In a category defined by heritage, this live recording embodied continuity, faithfulness, and spiritual gravity.
Our take: A reaffirmation that roots gospel remains anchored in the church, not trends.
Overall Reflection
Taken together, the 2026 GRAMMY winners in Christian and Gospel categories reveal a consistent pattern. Voters prioritized spiritual integrity, artistic excellence, and projects with enduring ecclesial resonance. While innovation and crossover moments were present, they succeeded only when grounded in authenticity.
In a cultural moment often driven by speed and spectacle, this year's winners quietly testified to something deeper: faith that lasts, songs that gather, and music that serves both the soul and the church.
