How the Grammys are won

The Grammy Awards began in 1959 as the music industry’s attempt to create its own version of the Oscars. At the time, it was a small, industry-focused event with just 28 categories, honouring artists like Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, and the Kingston Trio. There was no flashy TV broadcast, no viral moments — just industry insiders recognizing "artistic excellence."

As music evolved, so did the Grammys. Rock finally became a category in 1962, hip-hop wasn’t recognized until 1989, but by 2009, the number of categories had ballooned to 110, covering everything from polka to spoken word. Realizing they had overcomplicated things, the Academy streamlined the awards to 78 categories in 2012.

When the Grammys became a cultural phenomenon

For its first decade, the Grammys remained a relatively low-key event, but several key moments turned it into a global entertainment spectacle:

• 1971: The first live telecast, making the Grammys more accessible to the public.

• 1984: Michael Jackson’s Thriller era, where he won 8 Grammys in one night, cemented the awards as a mainstream pop culture event.

• 1990s: The rise of MTV and massive pop performances made Grammy night a must-watch event.

• 2000s: Viral Grammy moments, like Kanye West interrupting Taylor Swift, sparked social media debates, keeping the show relevant beyond just TV ratings.

• 2020s: Streaming services and TikTok reshaped music consumption, forcing the Grammys to expand with categories like Best Video Game Soundtrack and Best African Music Performance.

How many Grammy categories are there now?

Since then, new categories have crept back in. As of 2025, with the addition of a few new categories, there are 94, proof that the Academy is trying to keep up with the times.

But while categories shift, one thing hasn’t changed: winning a Grammy can make or break a career. Which raises the question — who actually decides the winners?

► ARTMASTER TIP: Find out more on the history of the Grammys here.

Unlike fan-voted awards (like the MTV VMAs or Billboard Music Awards), Grammy winners are chosen by The Recording Academy — a group of music professionals with over 12,000 members.

Who makes up the Recording Academy?

The Recording Academy is made up of music professionals — musicians, songwriters, producers, and engineers — who have proven experience in the industry. Journalists, executives, and casual fans don’t get a say.

Who can vote?

To qualify as a Voting Member, an applicant must:

• Have at least 12 commercially released tracks (or comparable professional work).

• Be a musician, songwriter, producer, or engineer.

How are the winners decided?

1. Submission & Screening – Artists, record labels, and industry professionals submit recordings for consideration.

2. First-Round Voting – The Academy votes in their areas of expertise (e.g., jazz artists vote for jazz categories).

3. Final-Round Voting – Once the nominees are set, all voting members can vote in the major categories (Album, Record, Song of the Year).

4. Winners Announced – The artist with the most votes wins — no jury overrides.

But despite some efforts to maintain fairness, Grammy voting has long been a source of controversy. From claims of industry bias to snubs, the process has faced backlash from artists and fans alike, leading to major reforms in recent years.

As with all major awards, the Grammys have faced their fair share of controversy. Critics argue that the process favours big names, ignores entire genres, and struggles with diversity.

The end of secret committees

For years, anonymous nomination committees had the final say in many Grammy categories, fueling accusations of bias. This came to a head in 2021 when The Weeknd’s Blinding Lights (the longest-charting Billboard hit ever) was completely shut out of nominations. After major backlash, the Academy eliminated these secret committees, giving more power to voters.

Diversity & inclusion: Progress or PR?

The Academy has been accused of favouring pop and legacy acts over women and artists of colour. The numbers seem to back it up:

• Since the Grammys began, only 12 Black artists have won Album of the Year.

• Between 2012 and 2020, Black artists received only 26.7% of Grammy nominations, despite making up over 38% of artists on the Billboard Hot 100.

• Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter (2025) was the first Album of the Year win by a Black woman in over two decades.

The backlash peaked after the 2018 “step up” comment from then-CEO Neil Portnow, leading to reforms like:

• Women in the Mix, designed to boost gender diversity.

• New global music categories for underrepresented genres.

• More diverse voters: 66% of the voting body has joined since 2020.

Despite these changes, artists like Drake and Frank Ocean remain skeptical, arguing systemic bias still exists.

The controversies surrounding the Grammys raise a bigger question — what does it really take to win?

► ARTMASTER TIP: For each groundbreaking female artist in the spotlight, the number of women calling the shots behind the scenes, as producers, engineers, or executives, is painfully small. Find out why in our article — Why are there fewer women in the music industry?

While some Grammy wins feel inevitable, others are complete shocks. Still, patterns emerge — suggesting that certain factors consistently influence who takes home the trophies.

1. Certain genres dominate

• Pop, rock & R&B lead the way: Since 2000, these genres have won around 80% of Album of the Year awards. Recent winners include Taylor Swift’s Midnights (2024) and Harry Styles’ Harry’s House (2023), reinforcing the Academy’s preference for mainstream appeal.

• Hip-hop still struggles: Despite being one of the world’s most popular genres, only two hip-hop albums have ever won Album of the Year — The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill (1999) and Speakerboxxx/The Love Below (2004). Kendrick Lamar and Beyoncé have both been snubbed multiple times in this category, fuelling accusations that the Academy still leans conservative.

• Genre-blending does well: Artists who merge styles often gain favour. Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter (2025), blending country and pop, finally won her the elusive Album of the Year, while past winners like Billie Eilish and Jon Batiste also show that breaking genre moulds can work in an artist’s favour.

2. Weak years yield surprises

Every so often, an unexpected winner sneaks through, often when competition is unusually weak or fragmented:

• Bon Iver beating Nicki Minaj for Best New Artist (2012): Indie-folk over mainstream pop-rap? It still doesn’t quite add up.

• Herbie Hancock’s River: The Joni Letters (2008): This jazz tribute album somehow beat Amy Winehouse and Kanye West for Album of the Year, shocking many.

• Jethro Tull winning Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance (1989): A progressive rock band taking home the first-ever metal Grammy over Metallica? It remains one of the most baffling wins in Grammy history.

3. Name recognition matters

• Because voters aren’t required to listen to every nominee, well-known artists often have an edge over equally deserving but lesser-known acts.

• This is why mainstream pop and legacy acts tend to dominate major categories, while independent or less commercial artists struggle to break through. Even in genres where innovation thrives, such as hip-hop and alternative music, Grammy wins often favour artists with wider industry exposure rather than just artistic merit.

But there’s another factor at play — Grammy-winning records aren’t just about the artist performing the song. Success at this level is a team effort, shaped by producers, engineers, and songwriters who rarely get the spotlight.

How many people have heard of Manny Marroquin, a mixing engineer behind Grammy-winning albums for Alicia Keys, Kanye West, and John Mayer, or Diane Warren, a songwriter whose hits have earned Grammys for Celine Dion, Aerosmith, and Beyoncé?

Every year, producers, engineers, and songwriters play a major role in Grammy-winning records while staying behind the scenes. Two of them — Chris Kasych and Printz Board — have built their careers on making the music we celebrate.

Artist Spotlight: Chris Kasych – the engineer behind the hits

Kasych has helped shape some of the biggest albums of the past decade, working with Olivia Rodrigo, Adele, Vampire Weekend and, more recently, Bush.

His work on Adele’s 25 earned him a Grammy for Album of the Year, followed by another in 2020 for Best Alternative Music Album with Vampire Weekend’s Father of the Bride. More recently, he was nominated for Record of the Year in 2024 for Olivia Rodrigo’s Vampire.

But his career didn’t start in a high-end studio.

"I started playing in bands at 14, then recording on a 4-track," Kasych recalls. "I got an internship at Conway Studios in Hollywood, but I had to start from the bottom — cleaning bathrooms, going on food runs, getting chicken for Snoop Dogg. But it was worth it for the knowledge I gained."

Now, he runs his own Seahorse Studio, continuing to shape the sound of modern music. Engineering isn’t just about technical skill — it’s about bringing an artist’s creative vision to life.

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• How to become a music producer.

Artist Spotlight: Printz Board – more than just Grammy wins

While engineers fine-tune the sound, songwriters and producers lay the creative foundation. Few know this better than Printz Board, a Grammy-winning songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist who has shaped some of the biggest songs of the last two decades.

Printz co-wrote and produced Black Eyed Peas hits like Where Is the Love? and Don’t Phunk with My Heart, helping the group earn multiple Grammys, including Best Pop Vocal Album for The E.N.D.. But when he talks about his career, he doesn’t mention awards – he talks about the moment music connects with people:

"Week one, just a few fans sang along. By week four, the whole arena – 20,000 people – were on their feet. That moment gave me goosebumps. That’s what music is about."

Beyond the Black Eyed Peas

He’s worked with everyone from James Brown and Dr. Dre to Justin Timberlake and BTS, and he’s partnered with the Obama family, Andra Day, Hyundai Genesis, and more. He founded 2526 Studios to house his creative projects, co-created Flimsy during the pandemic, and, under the moniker Parker Lane, continues exploring new sounds with his folk project Kaleidoscope.

His career is proof that real success in music isn’t just about awards — it’s about evolving, collaborating, and creating moments that last.

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📖 Want to learn more? Check out our guides:

• Inspirational techniques songwriters use to craft hits - 14 methods to try

• How music theory can improve your songwriting skills

In today’s music industry, the role of viral hits cannot be ignored, especially when an artist can go from total obscurity to global fame literally overnight. TikTok and streaming platforms have reshaped how we discover music, pushing songs based on algorithms rather than industry validation. A track can rack up millions of streams in days without radio play, label backing, or award recognition. But while viral fame can be explosive, winning a Grammy is deliberate — a decision made by industry professionals, not algorithms.

The power of viral fame

Artists no longer need major labels or traditional promotion to break through. TikTok alone has propelled names like Olivia Rodrigo, Lil Nas X, and Ice Spice into stardom — sometimes in a matter of weeks. Streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Music curate playlists that introduce listeners to emerging artists, making success feel more democratic than ever. A single viral moment can lead to massive exposure, brand deals, and sold-out tours.

But viral hits can also be fleeting. Tracks explode in popularity and fade just as quickly — often before an artist has time to build a lasting career.

The weight of a Grammy

A Grammy, on the other hand, still carries industry prestige. It signals approval from the biggest names in music, opening doors to better collaborations, stronger industry connections, and credibility that streaming numbers alone can’t always guarantee. Winning a Grammy can lead to career longevity, increased album sales, and bigger touring opportunities.

That said, a Grammy isn’t always a career-maker. Many artists have taken home trophies only to fade from the spotlight — while some of the most legendary musicians in history (Queen, Snoop Dogg, Nicki Minaj) have never won a single Grammy.

• Does a Grammy win still help sales? – In the early 2000s, an Album of the Year win could boost sales by up to 700%. Today, streaming dominates, and the bump is closer to 20-30%. However, major winners like Adele and Taylor Swift still see significant boosts.

So, which matters more?

Streaming and viral fame have challenged the Grammy’s influence, but they serve different purposes. Going viral can bring instant exposure, but without a solid career foundation, the hype often fades. The real winners today? Artists who master both.

• Lil Nas X (Old Town Road) and Doja Cat (Say So) turned their viral success into lasting careers, proving that streaming momentum and industry validation don’t have to be at odds.

• Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, and Billie Eilish dominate both spaces — leveraging digital platforms while earning Grammy recognition year after year.

Streaming reshaped the industry, but the Grammys still matter — just differently. A viral hit can make an artist famous overnight, but a Grammy can cement their place in history. The true winners? Artists who master both worlds.

► ARTMASTER TIP: Artificial Intelligence (AI) is also shaking up the way we learn music, making it easier, cheaper, and more accessible than ever before. FInd out how in our guide — How AI is revolutionizing music learning.

Winning a Grammy is tough. Winning multiple times? Even harder. Some artists take home a trophy and never return to the Grammys stage, while others build careers that keep them in the conversation for decades.

One-time Grammy winners who never won again

Some Grammy winners seemed unstoppable at the time of their win, only to fade from mainstream success:

• Macy Gray (I Try won Best Female Pop Vocal Performance in 2001), but after her breakthrough, she struggled to replicate the same level of commercial success.

• Gotye (Somebody That I Used to Know won Record of the Year in 2013), then disappeared from the industry, later revealing he had no interest in chasing mainstream fame.

• Fun. (We Are Young won Song of the Year in 2013), then split up, with members moving on to solo projects that never reached the same level.

• Norah Jones (Don’t Know Why swept the Grammys in 2003, including Album of the Year), but despite continued critical acclaim, she never recaptured the same mainstream dominance.

For some, winning a Grammy is the peak of their career—for others, it’s just a moment in time before moving in a different direction.

Artists who keep winning decade after decade

Then there are the Grammy legends—artists who keep winning year after year, proving their ability to evolve and stay relevant:

• Beyoncé (35 Grammy wins—the most of all time), dominating categories from R&B to pop, with wins spanning over 20 years.

• Stevie Wonder (25 Grammy wins), who holds the record for the most Album of the Year wins by a solo artist (three) and continues to be one of the most celebrated musicians in Grammy history.

• Taylor Swift (4-time Album of the Year winner—the most ever), proving that reinvention is key to longevity in the industry.

• U2 (22 Grammy wins), the most awarded band in history, spanning multiple decades of rock dominance.

What’s the difference?

Longevity in the industry isn’t just about talent—it’s about reinvention, consistency, and knowing how to evolve. Some artists define an era, while others define entire generations.

Taking home a Grammy is a huge moment, but true success in music isn’t measured by trophies alone. The artists who stand the test of time don’t just win awards—they innovate, evolve, and keep redefining music.

In the end, the Grammys reward moments. The greatest artists build legacies.

The best way to understand what makes a Grammy-winning record? Learn from the people who have done it. At ArtMaster, you can learn directly from Grammy-winning professionals who have worked with the industry’s biggest stars.

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To end with, here are some intriguing and lesser-known facts about the Grammy Awards:

1. Unexpected Grammy categories

Everyone knows Album of the Year, but the Grammys go beyond mainstream hits, recognising niche achievements in music and beyond.

• Best song for social change — Honours tracks that tackle global issues like justice and activism.

• Best audiobook narration — Past winners include Barack Obama, Michelle Obama, and Jimmy Carter.

• Best video game soundtrack — Introduced in 2023, recognising the cinematic quality of modern game music.

• Best boxed or special limited edition package — Awards creative album packaging and collector’s editions.

2. The Grammy Trophy's unique composition

Each Grammy trophy is handcrafted from a special zinc alloy known as "Grammium," which is then plated with 24-karat gold. This unique composition was developed by Billings Artworks in Ridgway, Colorado.

3. Record for most Grammys won in a single night

Michael Jackson set a remarkable record in 1984 by winning eight Grammy Awards in one night, a feat that remains unmatched by any solo artist. The band Santana tied this record in 2000 with their album "Supernatural."

4. Youngest and oldest Grammy Winners

• Youngest: LeAnn Rimes became the youngest individual Grammy winner at 14 years old in 1997.

• Oldest: Pinetop Perkins holds the record as the oldest Grammy winner, receiving the Best Traditional Blues Album award at 97 years old in 2011.

5. Artists who have "Swept" the major categories

Only two artists have won all four major categories—Album of the Year, Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best New Artist—in a single ceremony:

• Christopher Cross in 1981.

• Billie Eilish in 2020.

6. Unique Grammy Achievements

• Viola Davis achieved EGOT status (winning an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony) by securing a Grammy in 2023, becoming the 18th person to do so.

• Stevie Wonder has an impressive tally of 25 Grammy wins and 74 nominations, underscoring his profound impact on the music industry.

7. Weirdest Grammy nomination ever

• In 1959, Alvin & The Chipmunks won three Grammys for The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don’t Be Late) — proving novelty hits can still make history.