The Grammy Awards is arguably the most prestigious award scheme that recognizes the craft of creatives in the music industry. It celebrates musical excellence globally and also puts the spotlight on the rich tapestry of sounds emanating from diverse cultures.
The Grammys has been in existence for more than 60 years and during that period, it has had a fraught relationship with race, “an unavoidable consequence of much of American popular music being produced by white artists appropriating African American genres,” according to Aljazeera.
For 66 years, only 11 black artists have won album of the year, with Stevie Wonder becoming the first black artist to win in 1974 for “Innervisions.” He has since won three times.
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Meet the black musicians with the most Grammy awards.
Beyoncé: 32
Beyonce is not only the black musician to have the most Grammy awards, but she is also the most decorated woman in the history of the award scheme. She first received a Grammy as a member of Destiny’s Child. She won two awards for their No. 1 hit “Say My Name” in 2001.
Since then, she has gone on to win 32 Grammys, including five wins with husband Jay-Z, for their hit singles “Crazy in Love” and “Drunk in Love,” including their joint album “Everything Is Love.”
Despite all her awards, she has yet to win Album of the Year at the Grammys.
Quincy Jones: 28
Quincy Jones has 28 Grammy awards. He was part of Michael Jackson’s historic “Thriller” sweep in 1984 as producer of that classic LP. Also, he won Album of the Year for his own “Back on the Block” in 1991.
Stevie Wonder: 25
For five decades and more, Stevie Wonder has resided in the hearts, minds, discotheques and living rooms of millions of people across the world as his silky voice and soulful lyrics became permanently etched in lives.
The 74-year-old has won 25 Grammy awards and also holds the distinction of winning Album of the Year three times.
Jay-Z: 24
Rapper and billionaire entrepreneur Jay-Z has 24 awards to his credit. A large share of his awards comes from the rap category. His first was for Best Rap Album (“Vol. 2 … Hard Knock Life”) back in 1999.
Despite his Grammy success, Jay-Z has never won any awards for Album, Record and Song of the Year, and Best New Artist.
Kanye West: 24
Kanye West holds the same Grammy awards as Jay-Z, with his most recent award being Best Melodic Rap Performance and Best Rap Song in 2022.
