Bad Bunny, who will headline next week's Super Bowl Half Time Show, addressed the Trump administration's immigration crackdown with an impassioned speech at the Grammy Awards.

"Before I say thanks to God, I'm going to say ICE out," he said, referring to US immigration officers, after weeks of tension in Minneapolis, including the deaths of two civilians.

"We're not savages, we're not animals, we're not aliens, we are humans and we are Americans," he continued, as he won best musicá urbana album for Debí Tirar Más Fotos.

Many audience members rose to their feet as he spoke. The Puerto Rican artist is also considered a front-runner for the night's main prize, album of the year.

His speech was the most explicit political moment of the ceremony, during which many artists, including R&B star Kehlani, wore badges reading "Ice out" on the red carpet.

However, he counselled people to respond with love rather than fear and anger.

"The only thing that is more powerful than hate is love," he said. "So, please, we need to be different. If we fight, we have to do it with love."

British singer Olivia Dean, who won best new artist, also used her speech to support immigrants.

"I'm up here as the granddaughter of an immigrant," said the singer, whose grandmother Carmen was part of the Windrush generation.

"I'm a product of bravery, and I think those people deserve to be celebrated. We're nothing without each other."

Billie Eilish, winning song of the year for Wildflower, also added her voice.

"It's just really hard to know what to say and what to do right now," she said.

"And I feel like we just need to keep fighting and speaking up and protesting. Our voices really do matter, and the people matter."

Earlier, Kendrick Lamar won best rap album for GNX, at which point he overtook Jay-Z as the rapper with the most Grammy Awards - 26 in total.

"I'm not good at talking about myself, but I express it through the music," he said.

"Hip-hop is always going to be right here."

It was the star's fourth victory in the rap album category, starting with 2016's To Pimp A Butterfly.

Londoner Lola Young won best pop performance for her breakout single Messy; while Lady Gaga's Mayhem was named best pop album.

The star rushed to the stage to breathlessly accept her 16th golden gramophone trophy.

"Every time I'm here, I still feel like I need to pinch myself," she said.

Gaga also used her speech to urge women in music to stand up for their creative vision, noting, "I know sometimes when you're in the studio with a bunch of guys, it can be hard.

"I urge you to... fight for your songs, fight for yourself as a producer [and] make sure that you are heard loudly."

Sunday's ceremony exploded into life with a performance by K-Pop idol Rosé and pop star Bruno Mars.

The duo performed a rock version of their megahit APT, which is nominated for three prizes at the ceremony, including song of the year.

Host Trevor Noah noted that the song was based on a South Korean drinking game, whose rules were more complicated than the US equivalent. "In America, every time you turn on the news, you drink," he joked.

British star Olivia Dean was one of the first winners, picking up best new artist about an hour into the ceremony.

Carpenter gave the second performance of the night, with an elaborate version of her number one hit Manchild.

She took to the stage dressed as a stewardess, dancing across luggage carousels and navigating male dancers in baggage handler uniforms. She ended the performance with a dove in her hands before taking to the skies.

All eight nominees for best new artist then had their chance to shine in an extended segment celebrating "emerging talents who are defining music's zeitgeist".

Among them was British star Lola Young, playing a solo piano version of her award-winning hit Messy.

It was the singer's first televised performance since taking an extended break to protect her mental and physical health last year.

Joining her were the six-piece girl group Katseye, playing their love-it-or-hate-it viral hit, "Gnarly," and New York indie artist Sombr, wearing a spangled jumpsuit for his rendition of "12 to 12."

And Olivia Dean forecast her Grammy victory with a joyous, full-band performance of Man I Need.

In recent years, the main Grammy ceremony has focused more on performances than awards and speeches. This year, only nine prizes will be handed out during the three-hour televised event.

The other 86 were distributed in a longer "premiere ceremony" earlier in the day.

Winners there included British stars Yungblud, FKA Twigs and The Cure.

Several recipients also echoed Bad Bunny's words about the plight of immigrants in the US.

Among them was Latin music legend Gloria Estefan, who said she was "very worried" about the state of her country.

"I don't think anyone would say we want a free-for-all at the border. But what is happening is not at all criminals being arrested," she said backstage, after winning best tropical Latin album for Raíces.

"These are people who have families that have contributed to this country for decades. Little children, there are hundreds of children in detention centres. It's inhumane."