First-time Grammy winners steal the spotlight at the 68th awards

For many artists, a Grammy win is a stamp to the right direction, It represents years of persistence, rejection, reinvention and belief, all culminating in a moment that quietly but powerfully says, I have arrived. At the 68th Grammy Awards, that feeling was palpable as both A-listers and long-overdue talents stepped onto the stage to accept their first-ever Grammy wins.

This year, several artists finally crossed that threshold. After seven previous nominations, Kehlani walked away with not one but two Grammys, winning Best R&B Song and Best R&B Performance for Folded. It was a defining moment for an artist whose career has been shaped by vulnerability, consistency and artistic evolution, now recognised by the industry’s highest honour.

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Among the night’s most joyful breakthroughs was Durand, whose unfiltered excitement became one of the ceremony’s most memorable images. Overcome with emotion, he ran to the stage to accept his first Grammy, a raw and human moment that captured the weight of the journey it took to get there.

The list of first-time winners also included Shaboozey, who has been steadily making noise with his genre-blurring sound and undeniable presence. His win marked a breakthrough, signalling the Academy’s growing openness to artists who defy easy categorisation.

One of the night’s most moving moments came from FKA twigs, who, after nearly two decades in the industry, finally took home her first Grammy album win, a recognition many felt was long overdue. Hip-hop duo Clipse also claimed their first Grammy, underscoring the power of longevity, patience and cultural impact.

Here's a list of some of the first time 68th Grammy Awards winners: