meta-scriptThe Impact Of A GRAMMY Win: Life After The Award | GRAMMY.com
GRAMMY winners Antonio Sánchez, Linda Ronstadt, iLe, Kabaka Pyramid, White Sun with their awards
(Clockwise from left) Antonio Sánchez, Linda Ronstadt, iLe, Kabaka Pyramid, White Sun

Photos: Jason Kempin/WireImage; Bob Riha, Jr./Getty Images; Amy Sussman/Getty Images; Benjo Arwas/Contour by Getty Images; Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images

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The Impact Of A GRAMMY Win: Life After The Award

What happens after Music's Biggest Night? GRAMMY winners Linda Ronstadt, White Sun, Kabaka Pyramid, iLe, and Antonio Sánchez reflect on their victories and discuss how winning a GRAMMY Award has impacted their careers.

GRAMMYs/Nov 7, 2024 - 04:57 pm

GRAMMY season is upon us  — which means voting for submitted works, watching the 2025 GRAMMY nominations on Friday, Nov. 8, and seeing who will take home golden gramophones at the 2025 GRAMMYs on Sunday, Feb. 2. 

Over 66 awards ceremonies, GRAMMY Awards have elevated careers, sparked cultural shifts, and cemented legacies. For artists, musicians and music industry professionals, a GRAMMY win can be a game-changing moment, unlocking new opportunities for collaboration and enhancing global recognition. Often, a GRAMMY win becomes a pivotal milestone in an artist’s career. 

Learn more: How Much Is A GRAMMY Worth? 7 Facts To Know About The GRAMMY Award Trophy.

What happens after an artist or music professional wins a GRAMMY? For many, it's a life-changing moment, but the path that follows can be as unique as the music that earned them the accolade. 

Ahead of the 2025 GRAMMY Awards, officially known as the 67th GRAMMY Awards, five GRAMMY-winning artists — icon Linda Ronstadt, transformative artist White Sun, reggae artist Kabaka Pyramid, Puerto Rican singer iLe, and acclaimed jazz drummer Antonio Sánchez — discuss how winning a GRAMMY has affected their careers and creativity. 

Linda Ronstadt

Number of GRAMMY Awards: 11
First GRAMMY Won: Best Country Vocal Performance, Female for "I Can't Help It (If I'm Still In Love With You)," 1976 GRAMMYs

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 A trailblazing figure, Linda Ronstadt is known for her remarkable versatility and powerful voice that transcends genres. Over four decades, Ronstadt broke boundaries not only in her music, but also in her advocacy for artists' rights and political causes.

Musically, Ronstadt defied industry norms by crossing over from rock and country, while also embracing diverse genres such as opera and jazz. Ronstadt honored her Mexican heritage via multiple Spanish-language albums, including 1987's Canciones de Mi Padre. That album highlighted traditional Mexican mariachi music and became the best-selling non-English language album in U.S. history, playing a key role in bringing Latin music into the mainstream spotlight. The album took home a golden gramophone for Best Mexican-American Performance at the 31st GRAMMY Awards.

Ronstadt has 11 career GRAMMY Awards, as well as a Latin Recording Academy Lifetime Achievement Award and a Recording Academy Lifetime Achievement Award. But her journey didn't end with the wins, the last of which came during the 63rd GRAMMY Awards for Best Music Film.

Ronstadt points to her early wins as the beginning of a new chapter characterized by continued growth and dedication. While the GRAMMY Award is recognition, it doesn't instantly transform an artist's skills or career. “Winning a GRAMMY did not make me a better singer," Ronstadt tells GRAMMY.com. "It took several more years of hard work to do that. But it is always nice to have your work validated.” 

Read more: Linda Ronstadt's Timeless Appeal

Antonio Sánchez

Number of GRAMMY Awards: 5
First GRAMMY Won:
Best Contemporary Jazz Album, Speaking Of Now, 2003 GRAMMYs

Drummer and composer Antonio Sánchez gained widespread recognition for his collaborations with jazz guitar legend Pat Metheny and icons such as Chick Corea and Gary Burton. Beyond jazz, Sánchez made a significant mark on film, most notably with his groundbreaking score for the 2014 Oscar-winning film Birdman, directed by Alejandro González Iñárritu. Sánchez's GRAMMY Awards reflect his ability to push the boundaries of music and have shaped his career.

"I’m humbled and honored to have received GRAMMY Awards, and they have certainly expanded an awareness of what I do to those unfamiliar," he explains. 

While Sánchez doesn’t believe anyone hires him solely because of his awards, the wins have undoubtedly brought more attention to his work. He recalls his first GRAMMY win over 20 years ago with The Pat Metheny Group: "I’ll never forget the moment I held it in my hands — and being surprised by its weight," Sánchez says. That win supercharged his passion for music, reinforcing his desire to surround himself with the highest caliber musicians and continue striving for excellence.

For aspiring musicians, Sánchez emphasizes the importance of staying true to one’s creative process. "Try not to think of awards, accolades, or public opinion in your creative process," he advises. Instead, he encourages artists to focus on what they love and give it their all. For Sánchez, the pressure to deliver is always present, but he believes that pursuing awards should not be the goal. 

"Your virtue is its own reward — the best reward," he says, reminding artists that if they work hard enough, recognition and awards like the GRAMMYs will follow. 

Kabaka Pyramid

Number of GRAMMY Awards: 1
First GRAMMY Won: Best Reggae Album for The Kalling, 2023 GRAMMYs

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Kingston, Jamaica, native Kabaka Pyramid is known for blending traditional roots reggae with elements of hip-hop and dancehall. His music is celebrated for its socially conscious messages, tackling topics such as inequality, spirituality, and cultural empowerment. Kabaka's unique style and powerful lyrics have attracted a global audience, establishing him as a leading figure in modern reggae.

Kabaka acknowledges that winning a GRAMMY has impacted all aspects of his career. "I can say just about every area has been elevated to some degree," he shares. This success has led to everything from bigger financial offers to more shows, as well as  increased publicity and social media growth. He’s also had the chance to travel to new places and noted a greater respect within the industry.

However, with success comes challenges. Kabaka shared that he feels heightened expectations to perform, and notes that he's received some "absurd requests" to perform from people who want to benefit from their association with him. He added that some people who knew him before he won a GRAMMY now interact with him differently, which can feel strange at times.

The Kalling's GRAMMY win has given Kabaka Pyramid more inspiration and motivation to strive for greatness, though his approach to making music has not changed fundamentally. "It’s the same process as before, but more mindful of the details to ensure the standard is always being raised," he explains. The artist advises aspiring musicians to "stay grounded but reach for the stars.

"It's important to consciously know what you're about and what you stand for," he advises.

Read More: Meet The First-Time GRAMMY Nominee: Kabaka Pyramid On Embracing His Voice & The Bold Future Of Reggae

iLe

Number of GRAMMY Awards: 1
First GRAMMY Won:
Best Latin Rock, Urban or Alternative Album for iLevitable, 2017 GRAMMYs

iLe possesses a powerful and distinct voice. Her solo career is defined by evocative lyrics and a style that fuses the traditional sounds of Latin America with modern musical elements.

Born Ileana Mercedes Cabra Joglar in Puerto Rico, iLe grew up surrounded by creativity, with a family deeply involved in the arts. During her teenage years, iLe collaborated with her siblings, René Pérez Joglar (Residente) and Eduardo Cabra (Visitante), to take on the role of lead singer for their group, Calle 13. Her commanding voice and captivating stage presence played a crucial role in defining the band's unique meld of hip-hop, rock, and traditional Latin music.

iLe says her win at the 59th GRAMMY Awards was an unexpected yet rewarding experience. The greatest reward was celebrating the achievement. "Working on an album is already hard enough, and every album you get to release is literally that: a release, a satisfaction, a transition into something new," she shares.

While the GRAMMY brought new opportunities, iLe emphasizes that she’s most thankful for the chance to continue making music. "I feel grateful to have had opportunities like this to expand my music, but I feel even more grateful to be doing what I love," she reflects.

iLe notes that the award didn’t change the themes she explores in her music, which are grounded in honesty and a deep connection to her culture. She encourages other Latin artists to work hard and stay authentic. "Don’t feel the need to turn into something you’re not just to feel some sort of approval or validation," she advises, adding that musicians should continue to explore their own paths and enjoy the journey.

White Sun

Number of GRAMMY Awards: 2
First GRAMMY Won: Best New Age Album for White Sun II, 2017 GRAMMYs

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White Sun seamlessly merges ancient yogic mantras with modern music to create a sound that’s both unique and meditative. Led by vocalist Gurujas, with multi-instrumentalist Adam Berry and percussionist Harijiwan, the group is known for their calming, spiritual music that promotes mindfulness and wellness. 

White Sun first won Best New Age Album at the 2017 GRAMMYs for White Sun II — the first all-mantra album to win the award — and their second win came in the renamed category six years later for Mystic Mirror. White Sun believes winning a GRAMMY broadened the recognition of their work.

"There is no question that our two GRAMMY wins gave us a bump in listenership," they note, explaining that they experienced a surge of interest following each win. The results go beyond new fans, however.

"Just like any other artist, every time we make a song, we aspire to create emotional impact, compelling melody, high production quality, and innovative lyricism," the group says, adding that  their music exceeds these goals by using frequencies that positively affect the body, resulting in "countless stories of physical and mental healing from all over the world." 

White Sun remains committed to their artistic integrity. Gurujas says winning the GRAMMY has only strengthened her resolve to "stay true to the creative force within me and honor the music above all else." She advises fellow artists navigating the post-GRAMMY experience to stay prolific, humble, and true to oneself. 

"If you fall into the trap of trying to create music you think other people want to hear, your success will be ephemeral, and your music will be forgotten," she warns, urging artists to focus on what they want to leave behind.

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Photo of producer, engineer, mixer, and five-time GRAMMY winner Jimmy Douglass in his studio surrounded by production gear.
Producer, engineer, mixer, and five-time GRAMMY winner Jimmy Douglass is the honoree of the 2025 Producers & Engineers Wing GRAMMY Week Celebration

Photo: Federico Vélez

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The Recording Academy Producers & Engineers Wing To Honor Jimmy Douglass During 2025 GRAMMY Week Celebration

The Producers & Engineers Wing will host an unforgettable celebration honoring the groundbreaking career of five-time GRAMMY winner Jimmy Douglass. Taking place Jan. 29, 2025, ahead of the 2025 GRAMMYs, the event is an official GRAMMY Week 2025 event.

GRAMMYs/Nov 20, 2024 - 01:59 pm

The Recording Academy Producers & Engineers Wing will honor legendary producer, engineer, mixer, and five-time GRAMMY winner Jimmy Douglass at its annual GRAMMY Week Celebration, which is set to take place Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, days ahead of the 2025 GRAMMYs. The celebration, an official GRAMMY Week 2025 event, will be held at The Preserve LA in East Hollywood and will salute Douglass’ extraordinary contributions to the music industry and his enduring impact on modern sound.

In addition to honoring Douglass, the event will also celebrate the year-round work of the Producers & Engineers Wing and its members, who work together to advise the Recording Academy on technical best practices, advocate for the rights of music creators, and shape the future of the recording field.

GRAMMY Week 2025 culminates with the 2025 GRAMMYs, officially known as the 67th Annual GRAMMY Awards, which take place live on Sunday, Feb. 2, at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. The 2025 GRAMMYs will broadcast live on the CBS Television Network and stream live and on-demand on Paramount+ at 8-11:30 p.m. ET/5-8:30 p.m. PT. Prior to the telecast, the 2025 GRAMMY Awards Premiere Ceremony will be held at the Peacock Theater at 12:30 p.m. PT/3:30 p.m. ET and will be streamed live on live.GRAMMY.com and the Recording Academy's YouTube channel.

Learn more about Jimmy Douglass below:

Known as "The Senator," Douglass is a five-time GRAMMY winner and 11-time GRAMMY nominee whose prolific career began in the early '70s at Atlantic Records studios in New York City. Starting as a part-time tape duplicator while still in high school, he quickly rose through the ranks, learning from legendary figures like Tom Dowd, Arif Mardin, Jerry Wexler, and Ahmet Ertegun. He went on to work with major Atlantic Recording artists such as Aretha Franklin, Hall & Oates, Roberta Flack, Donny Hathaway, Foreigner, Led Zeppelin, and AC/DC, among many others. By the 1980s, Douglass expanded his repertoire by taking on production roles; he engineered and produced established artists including The Rolling Stones, Slave, Odyssey, Roxy Music and Gang of Four.

In the early 1990s, Douglass refined his skills by working on jingles and post-production, a period that honed his ability to work efficiently while capturing the essence of each project. This foundation proved pivotal when he began a groundbreaking partnership with Timbaland in 1994, for whom he served the main engineer for more than a decade. Together, they collaborated on classic projects by Aaliyah, Missy Elliott, Jay-Z, and others, shaping the sound of contemporary R&B and hip-hop.

In the 2000s, Douglass continued to innovate. He engineered and mixed more Timbaland-produced projects from artists including Snoop Dogg, Bjork and GRAMMY-winning albums for Justin Timberlake. Among the artists he also mixed are Rob Thomas, Sean Paul, Kanye West, Ludacris, Al Green, John Legend, and Duran Duran.

Renowned for bringing unconventional techniques into the studio and encouraging artists to transcend genre restrictions, he is credited with bringing a raw edge to sound and specifically bringing a heavy funk-bass sound into rock music.

Douglass remains at the forefront of the industry, leveraging his decades of experience to push creative boundaries while inspiring countless artists. His versatility and technical mastery have solidified his status as one of the most respected producers, engineers and mixers in the world.

"Our P&E Wing proudly celebrates GRAMMY Week each year with a special evening that unites producers, engineers and artistic professionals to honor a truly deserving creator," Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason jr. said in a statement. "This year, we're thrilled to pay tribute to the extraordinary Jimmy Douglass, who has led groundbreaking creative and technical efforts in the recording industry, encouraging artists to transcend genre boundaries and contributing to iconic musical projects that will resonate for generations."

 "Throughout his illustrious career spanning more than four decades, Jimmy's visionary approach to producing, engineering and mixing has shaped some of music's most iconic recordings. Jimmy consistently pushes the boundaries of sound by bringing unconventional techniques into the studio while inspiring countless artists along the way," Maureen Droney, Vice President of the Recording Academy Producers & Engineers Wing, echoed the sentiment in a statement. "On behalf of the Producers & Engineers Wing, we are delighted to dedicate our 2025 event to Jimmy and his amazing career."

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2025 GRAMMY Nominations: Artist Reactions
The 2025 GRAMMYs will air live on Sunday, Feb. 2, 2025.

Graphic courtesy of the Recording Academy

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2025 GRAMMY Nominations: See Shaboozey, Anitta, Teddy Swims & More Artists' Reactions

The 2025 GRAMMY nominations have been announced! Here’s how nominees from RAYE to Troye Sivan reacted on social media.

GRAMMYs/Nov 8, 2024 - 11:51 pm

This morning, 2025 GRAMMY nominations were announced, sparking a wave of excitement for music fans everywhere!

Right after the big announcement, nominated artists lit up social media with posts of joy and gratitude. The timeline quickly filled with celebration, from first-time Best New Artist nominees Shaboozey and Teddy Swims to shoutouts from hit-makers Alissia, Green Day, and St. Vincent

Dive into the social media celebration posts, and catch up on the full list of nominations on the road to the 2025 GRAMMYs on Sunday, Feb. 2, 2025 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, broadcasting live on the CBS Television Network and streaming live and on demand on Paramount+. 

Best New Artist nominees Shaboozey, Doechii, Sabrina Carpenter, Teddy Swims, and RAYE all shared their heartfelt sentiment after being nominated:

Best Global Music nominee Matt B, nominated with featured performers Royal Philharmonic Orchestra for the album ALKEBULAN II, jumped for joy at hearing news of the nomination.

Brazilian artist Anitta, nominated for Best Latin Pop Album for Funk Generation, felt inspired to get up and groove upon learning of her second career GRAMMY nomination. 

Hawaiian artist Kalani Pe'a, nominated for Best Regional Roots Music Album for Kuini was moved to unbridled tears from deep gratitude: 

Several more artists took to social to share more reactions to their nominations, including Scott Hoying, Muni Long, Troye Sivan, Cimafunk, Producer Of The Year, Non-Classical nominee Alissia and more:

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Songwriter Of The Year 2025 Nominees Hero
(L-R) Jessie Jo Dillon, Amy Allen, RAYE, Edgar Barrera, Jessi Alexander

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2025 GRAMMYs Nominations: Songwriter Of The Year Nominees

Songwriters Jessi Alexander, Amy Allen, Edgar Barrera, Jessie Jo Dillon, and RAYE added their magic to some of the year's biggest songs in pop, Afrobeats and beyond.

GRAMMYs/Nov 8, 2024 - 09:53 pm

The 2025 GRAMMY nominations are here! One of the first categories announced on Nov. 8 was Songwriter Of The Year, Non-Classical, wth Jessi Alexander, Amy Allen, Edgar Barrera, Jessie Jo Dillon and RAYE each scoring a nomination to round out this year's crop of nominees.

Last year, Theron Thomas took home the golden gramophone for his work writing with the likes of Tyla, Chlöe, Lil Durk, Cordae, and more. Last year also marked the award for songwriting being moved to the General Field after being introduced as a new Category in 2023.

This year's nominees represent songwriting excellence across a wide array of genres, using their talents to pen acclaimed and fan-loved songs in the realms of pop, Latin, R&B, Afrobeats, and beyond. They've helped superstars like Beyoncé and Post Malone make their mark on country music, helped introduce a new generation of pop stars into the zeitgeist, and two nominees even pulled double duty by penning hits for their contemporaries on top of releasing their own albums.

Check out the nominees below and read the full 2025 GRAMMYs nominations list ahead of Music's Biggest Night on Sunday, Feb. 2, 2025.

Jessi Alexander

Jessi Alexander began her career in Nashville as a country artist, releasing her major label debut, Honeysuckle Sweet, via Columbia Records in 2005. Since then, she's released two more solo albums — 2014's Down Home and 2020's Decatur County Red — independently while racking up hits as a songwriter.

In 2009, she wrote Miley Cyrus' watershed power ballad "The Climb" with collaborator Jon Mabe, and five years later earned dual nominations for Best Country Song at the 2014 GRAMMYs for penning Lee Brice's "I Drive Your Truck" and Blake Shelton's "Mine Would Be You" — both of which reached the Top 10 on Billboard's Hot Country Songs chart and went No. 1 at country radio.

Throughout 2024, Alexander has been a trusted co-writer for many a country superstar, co-writing Dustin Lynch and Jelly Roll's hit duet "Chevrolet" and working with Luke Combs across multiple projects including his fifth album, Fathers & Sons ("Remember Him That Way," "All I Ever Do Is Leave"). She's also a co-writer on Combs' "Ain't No Love in Oklahoma," the seven-time GRAMMY nominee's contribution to Twisters: The Album that earned Alexander another GRAMMY nomination this year, for Best Song Written For Visual Media. 

What's more, Alexander crossed paths with fellow Songwriter Of The Year nominee Jessie Jo Dillon on Megan Moroney's sophomore album, Am I Okay? The two women wrote multiple tracks together on the studio set, including "No Caller ID," "Noah" and bonus cut "Bless Your Heart."

Amy Allen

Amy Allen's name has been synonymous with top-tier pop music for more than half a decade, ever since she started writing chart-topping hits with Halsey ("Without You"), Selena Gomez ("Back to You") and Harry Styles ("Adore You") at the end of the 2010s.

This year marks Allen's second nomination for Songwriter Of The Year, Non-Classical. The small-town Maine native and Berkelee College of Music graduate was one of the inaugural nominees in the category in 2023 — the same year she took home her first GRAMMY when Styles' Harry's House won Album Of The Year. 

Allen's career as a go-to pop songwriter reached new heights in 2024. She's been a longtime collaborator of Sabrina Carpenter, and helped the doe-eyed pop chanteuse pen every track on her No. 1 (and now GRAMMY-nominated) album Short n' Sweet, including smash singles "Espresso," "Please Please Please" and "Taste." ("Amy is a once-in-a-lifetime writer and friend — it all comes to her very naturally and effortlessly," Carpenter recently gushed to Variety in a May profile of Allen. "She's super versatile: She can wear any hat and yet it still feels authentic. I've learned a lot from her and admire what an incredible collaborator she is.")

In addition to her meteoric partnership with Carpenter, Allen has also played a role in Tate McRae's career as a pop superstar on the rise, penning "run for the hills" as well as last year's breakout hit "greedy." 

Earlier this fall, Allen also released her own self-titled debut solo album, Amy Allen. Her additional nominations at the 2025 GRAMMY Awards include nods for Song Of The Year for "Please, Please, Please," Album Of The Year and Pop Vocal Album for Short n' Sweet, and Best Song Written For Visual Media for *NSYNC's "Better Place" from the animated feature Trolls Band Together.

Edgar Barrera

With this year's nod, Edgar Barrera scores his second consecutive nomination for Songwriter Of The Year, Non-Classical after also being included in last year's pack of nominees. Also known under his moniker Edge, the songwriter remains a tectonic force in Latin music's ever-important place in the mainstream. As of 2023, Barrera has racked up 23 wins at the Latin GRAMMYs and once again leads this year's nominations with nine more nods at the upcoming Nov. 14 ceremony.

In the year since his first nomination in the Category, Barrera has penned Spanish-language hits for Shakira & Grupo Frontera ("(Entre Paréntesis)"), Camilo ("No Se Vale"), Karol G ("Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido"), Peso Pluma and Kenia Os ("Tommy & Pamela") and more. He's also contributed to multiple crossover duets on Carín León's 2024 album Boca Chueca, Vol. 1 with Kane Brown ("The One (Pero No Como Yo)") and Leon Bridges ("It Was Always You (Siempre Fuiste Tú)," 

This summer, Barrera added R&B to his sizable resume by working with Khalid on the crooner's long-awaited third studio album. The song Barrera co-wrote, "Sincere," ultimately became the LP's title track, with Khalid telling Apple Music's Zane Lowe, "It was a very difficult process in naming this album, because I had to find one name that fully…summed up what I felt in this music.

"And when I thought of the music," Khalid continued, "I thought of it as my most vulnerable in a while… How do I view myself as an artist? What artist do I want to be? And that's what this album is: it's sincere."

Jessie Jo Dillon

Jessie Jo Dillon joins Edgar Barrera as the other songwriter in this year's pack to earn back-to-back nominations for Songwriter of the Year, Non-Classical.

As the daughter of fellow songwriter Dean Dillon, the country progeny has music running through her veins. And much like how her father helped provide the soundtrack of '90s country through his work with George Strait, Toby Keith, Pam Tillis, and Kenny Chesney, the younger Dillon has had a hand in crafting the sound of modern country by penning tracks with Keith Urban ("Messed Up As Me"), Morgan Wallen ("Lies Lies Lies") and Kelsea Ballerini ("Sorry Mom").

This year, she also helped Megan Moroney land her first Top 10 album on the Billboard 200 with the singer's sophomore studio effort Am I Okay? — co-writing the title track and three other songs on the standard version and another on the recently released deluxe edition — and worked with her dad to co-write "Two Hearts," a bonus track on Post Malone's GRAMMY-nominated swerve into country, F-1 Trillion.

RAYE

It's a fairly safe assertion to say that RAYE was already enjoying a banner year before the 2025 GRAMMY nominations were revealed. The British soul singer broke out in 2023 with her debut solo album, My 21st Century Blues, with the independently released LP winning British Album Of The Year at the 2024 BRIT Awards. (RAYE also broke the record for most wins by an artist in a single year by taking home five other awards during the ceremony, including British Artist Of The Year and Song Of The Year for her viral single "Escapism."

However, the artist born Rachel Keen hasn't just focused on her own explosive career — in 2023, she collaborated with Hans Zimmer on sweeping single "Mother Nature" for the popular BBC nature series "Planet Earth 3," narrated by Sir David Attenborough, and translated her talent to the world of Afrobeats by co-writing NEIKED's "You're Hired" featuring Ayra Starr

More recently, RAYE has lent her sharp, emotional songcraft to high-profile projects by superstars like Beyoncé ("RIIVERDANCE") and Jennifer Lopez ("Dear Ben, Pt II"), as well as working with the likes of Halle ("Because I Love You") and Rita Ora ("Ask & You Shall Receive"). 

In addition to her nod for Songwriter Of The Year, Non-Classical, RAYE is one of eight rising voices who make up this year's crop of Best New Artist nominees — thereby becoming the first artist in GRAMMYs history to be nominated in both categories. She also earned a third nomination this year for Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical, for her contributions to Lucky Daye's Algorithm.

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2025 GRAMMYs Nominees for Producer Of The Year Alissia, Ian Fitchuk,  Dernst "D'Mile" Emile II, Daniel Nigro and Mustard in collage
(From left) Alissia, Ian Fitchuk, Dernst "D'Mile" Emile II, Daniel Nigro and Mustard

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2025 GRAMMYs Nominations: Producer Of The Year Nominees

Producers Alissia, Dernst "D'Mile" Emile II, Ian Fitchuk, Mustard and Daniel Nigro made this year shine with powerful contributions to the world of pop, country and hip-hop.

GRAMMYs/Nov 8, 2024 - 08:49 pm

Few individuals get the opportunity to truly define the sound of a moment the way that producers do. The recent passing of Quincy Jones acts as a reminder: Even though they may not always be onstage or have their name in flashing lights on the marquee, producers’ ability to imprint their unique vision and style across genres, styles, and voices and build a map of what the year sounds like. 

This year's nominees for Producer of the Year, Non-Classical have undoubtedly reached that achievement, delivering beauty and joy across the musical spectrum. There are some names that should be very familiar to GRAMMY viewers. Dernst "D’Mile" Emile II returns to the category for the third year in a row, hoping to build from his Best R&B Album win at the 66th GRAMMY Awards for his work on Victoria Monet's JAGUAR II. Nominated for the second year in a row, Daniel Nigro hopes to take home the golden gramophone for shaping glorious pop indulgence. 

Fans of rap have long known the work of Mustard, but now it would seem that so would anyone who’s walked past a radio. Ian Fitchuk’s resume stretches from country gold to woozy pop delight, and Alissia put a stamp on a lush, disco-tinged brand of R&B. 

Check out the nominees below and read the full 2025 GRAMMYs nominations list ahead of Music's Biggest Night on Sunday, Feb. 2, 2025.  

Alissia

After obsessing over Motown, Parliament Funkadelic, Prince and James Brown as a young person, Alissia took up the bass and started to commit herself fully to a life in music. "I was a big funk-head, ‘70s funk," she told Sweetwater. "I was kind of like a sponge…I was a big nerd and wanted to learn how to arrange for a big band and orchestra." 

Translating that love into actual work with none other than Bootsy Collins, then, must have elevated Alissia into some level of funk heaven. Since then, Alissia has continued to evolve her grooves and style, working with artists ranging from Anderson .Paak and Bruno Mars, to Nile Rodgers and Mary J. Blige. In 2024, that interstellar journey culminated in an impressive swathe of releases in soul, R&B, and funk.

Take, for example, the sublime "Is It Worth It", a slippery groove that elevates Rae Khalil’s smoke-laced voice to obscene extremes. Or "Love Takeover" from R&B duo Lion Babe, a track that could single-handedly transport an entire dancefloor back to the heights of the disco era while retaining a modernist bass flow. 

The Swiss-born, New York-based producer’s soulful niche has also found a match in a pair of Chicago artists. Alissia produced the opening track to Jamila Woods’ Water Made Us, and "Bugs" gives a nostalgic and sensuous tone to the poet/vocalist’s lilting voice. Alissia’s hard-thumping rhythms also lift up BJ the Chicago Kid, giving a new energy to his regal voice. 

Whether DJing, playing bass, or working behind the board, Alissia finds a lithe, effortless cool that’s downright infectious. "To me, what makes a great record is when you did it from your heart. You really felt it, it wasn't forced or anything, it was genuine, you made it with love," she told GRAMMY.com. "Music is feelings. There's no competition. eVerybody has something different to bring to the table."

Watch: Behind The Board: Alissia On Working With Bootsy Collins, Learning From Anderson .Paak & What Makes A Great Record

Dernst "D’Mile" Emile II

With Jack Antonoff out of the running after three wins in a row in this category, Dernst Emile II, a.k.a. R&B/hip-hop producer D’Mile, hopes that he can take his turn at the top. And thanks to some incredible work with a coterie of smooth eccentrics, this could well be his time.

Over the past few years, D’mile has helped usher a lux, live brand of vintage R&B to the fore, resulting in his becoming the first person to net back-to-back Song Of The Year awards for H.E.R.'s "I Can't Breathe" and Silk Sonic's "Leave the Door Open," not to mention recognition for his work with the likes of Victoria Monet and Mary J. Blige.

D’mile’s soulful penchant for fusion brought the best out of a wide variety of artists. From bringing a reeling jig to Koe Wetzel’s "Bar Song" to putting a sepia glow on Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars’ duet "Die With a Smile," this year found D’mile pushing his already expansive boundaries. At the same time, he knew exactly how to pull the best out of styles that hit closer to home, like the Prince-adjacent funk of Usher’s "I Love U" and the swanky throwback "That’s You" from Lucky Daye (an artist with whom D’mile has already had success, gaining gold for his work on 2022’s Best Progressive R&B Album, Table for Two

There’s something so natural about a D’mile track — and that seems to be by design. "It’s like when you cook, you got to make the right concoction and make sure the love is in it," he told Vibe. "Can you explain what you just did? No. You just threw stuff in the pot."

The Brooklynite has already notched six GRAMMY wins and an Academy Award, and that’s nothing to sneeze at. But on his third run at Producer Of The Year, Non-Classical, D'Mile is surely ready to finally take the award home. And if this pace continues, there’s no reason to doubt that he could go on his own three-year streak. 

Read more: 5 Essential D'Mile Productions: Silk Sonic, Victoria Monét, & Others

Ian Fitchuk

When Kacey Musgraves took home the GRAMMY Award for Best Country Album in 2019 for Golden Hour, she made sure to bring Ian Fitchuk onto the stage and to give him a shoutout. The Chicago-born, Nashville-based musician co-produced the record and played a variety of instruments across its 13 tracks — helping Musgraves unlock the truest expression of her version of country music to date. 

This year, Fitchuk nabbed a nomination for Producer Of The Year, Non-Classical in part for his work on Musgraves’ latest, the dazzling Deeper Well. Speaking of helping shape unique perspectives on country, Fitchuk’s year also featured a spot on the writing and production team for "Amen" on Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter. "I had the crazy idea of, ‘What if we got Beyoncé on a song [with Kacey Musgraves]?" he recalled in an interview with Vulture. While that track may never be finished, the process led to Fitchuk getting a call when Queen B was prepping her country record.

Another high-profile hit in Fitchuk's catalog comes via co-write on the ecstatic "Silk Chiffon," the queer anthem from MUNA featuring Phoebe Bridgers, as well as producing the multimillion-streamed "Until I Found You" by Stephen Sanchez. This year’s Pr nomination is powered in part by Fitchuk’s role as producer for the album that spawned that latter hit, a debut that radiates vintage AM glow. Fitchuk's big year also featured work with the likes of Maggie Rogers, Still Woozy, and Role Model, not to mention working with Musgraves and Leon Bridges on their contributions to an album of music inspired by the film Bob Marley: One Love.

That diverse list of artists belies Fitchuk’s greatest strength: a willingness to experiment with country tropes while respecting the genre’s history. "I think ‘What is country music?’ is an exhausting question," he told Vulture. "I’m down to be making all different kinds of versions of whatever anybody thinks country music is. Because I didn’t grow up with it, by me fucking with it in any way, it’s going to be its own thing."

Watch: Kacey Musgraves Wins Best Country Album For 'Golden Hour' | 2019 GRAMMYs

Mustard

When an artist decides to play one of the tracks that you produced not once, not twice, not three times, heck not even four times, but five times in a row at a prominent concert, you know you’ve done something right. R&B hitmaker Mustard has plenty of absolute smash hits in his catalog, but perhaps nothing in that long line matches Kendrick Lamar’s "Not Like Us" in terms of inescapability and being in the absolute epicenter of not just the rap world but the entire pop culture conversation.

A relatively mellow character when it comes to long-tenured hitmakers, Mustard seems to be reveling in the moment. "I never look for validation from anybody in the music industry. But do I feel accomplished? Yeah," he told XXL. "I feel really good about what this did. And I do feel like it should make people respect who I am."

Mustard’s been at the top of the game for more than a decade, as far back as "Rack City" in 2011, the "Mustard on the beat" tag one of those constants on rap radio and favorites of deep cut fans alike. As a producer, he’s hit the charts with everyone from Big Sean, Rihanna and 2 Chainz, to Fergie, Young Jeezy and Tinashe. But Mustard’s got hits of his own as well, like the Roddy Rich-featuring "High Fashion" and "Ballin'", as well as "Pure Water" with Migos.

This year, his nomination of course comes in part thanks to "Not Like Us," but also to his razor-sharp solo record, Faith of a Mustard Seed. The album features Mustard's trademark beats, but stretches out in its click-snap percussion, well-deep bass, twitchy samples, and lux synths. Album highlight "Parking Lot" deserves extra attention, Travis Scott’s rippling AutoTune floating over the top of a glittering hi-hat and particularly rubbery bass line. 

"I've been behind the boards and the beats so long that nobody's ever heard my side of things," Mustard recently told REAL 92.3 radio in Los Angeles. "I owe it to my fans to let you guys know where I've been the last five years, what's been going on in my life." And as bigger and bigger things keep happening, one has to assume that the production will just keep getting bigger as well.

Watch: Where Do You Keep Your GRAMMY? | Mustard

Daniel Nigro

Some of the fans in their native Long Island, New York may have looked at Tall As Lions and seen GRAMMYs in their future. And while their work never reached that height, those fans wouldn’t be wrong, as frontman Daniel Nigro has racked up eight nominations, including a win for Best Pop Vocal Album for his work on Olivia Rodrigo's Sour.

In 2023, Guts proved a worthy successor to that record — and tracks from the deluxe Spilled edition helped power Nigro to his second straight nomination for Producer Of The Year, Non-Classical. The teen pop star is a powerhouse in her own right, but Nigro’s production has helped Rodrigo evolve and find new ways to share her emotionally salient, raw lyrics. 

"To me, there's so much nuance in between what makes a song good — like if it's one little part that makes it special and nurturing that to make it bigger," Nigro told GRAMMY.com earlier this year. "I think that's what I bring to the table; helping these artists see their vision and seeing if we as a group find something special in a song."

Though of course one of the biggest stories of the year is Chappell Roan, the esoteric dark pop genius behind The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess — and that record on its own could position Nigro in good standing for a big GRAMMY win. Much akin to Rodrigo’s gold-gathering albums, that record thrives on open-hearted lyrics and massive hooks, with Nigro aiding the live energy.

While for some, the "Pink Pony Club" auteur came out of nowhere, Nigro has been a long-time Roan supporter and collaborator, the two having worked together for more than half a decade. In fact, when Roan was dropped from Atlantic Records, Nigro decided he'd sign her to his own label so that her creative vision could come fully to fruition. "[I feel a] deep sense of fulfillment," he told Fast Company. "I wanted nothing more than for people to listen to Chappell. I’ve been shouting it from a mountain for years — ‘Please listen to this, I promise!’"

Read more: The Genius Of Dan Nigro: The Producer Of The Year Nominee On Olivia Rodrigo's 'GUTS' & Why His Success "Doesn't Feel Real"

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