The 62nd Annual Grammy Awards [1] marked first wins for many artists, both budding and seasoned. Among the first-time musical champs that had an incredible night: the history-making Billie Eilish [2], who brought home a whopping five awards, and Lizzo [3], who left with three awards out of her eight nominations this year.
Between big names like Eilish and Lizzo [4], many others at the 2020 Grammys received their debut awards outside of the major categories featured during the nighttime ceremony — think Sara Bareilles for best American roots performance and Michelle Obama [5] (that Michelle Obama [6]!) for best spoken word album. Ahead, we've pulled together a list of all the first-time winners of the year, so get ready to make a playlist of all their top-notch work.
Billie Eilish
Billie Eilish [7] dominated the awards with five wins for record ("Bad Guy"), album (When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?), and song ("Bad Guy") of the year in addition to best new artist and pop vocal album (When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?). Billie was the youngest artist in history to receive the album of the year award [8], a record previously held by Taylor Swift [9].
Finneas O'Connell
Eilish's brother and collaborator, Finneas [10], snagged five Grammys for best engineered album (nonclassical) as well as record, album, song, and producer (nonclassical) of the year.
Lizzo
Lizzo [11] reigned triumphant with three Grammys for best pop solo performance ("Truth Hurts"), traditional R&B performance ("Jerome"), and urban contemporary album (Cuz I Love You).
Lil Nas X
In addition to his mesmerising performance [12], Lil Nas X picked up two awards for "Old Town Road," one for best music video and another for best pop duo/group performance.
Tyler, the Creator
Wearing a couple of memorable outfits [13] and giving a performance to remember [14], Tyler, the Creator won in the rap album category for Igor.
Michelle Obama
The former first lady [15] won an award for best spoken word album for her memoir, Becoming [16].
Nipsey Hussle
Though he tragically passed away in 2019 [17], Nipsey Hussle posthumously won his first Grammys for best rap/sung performance ("Higher") and best rap performance ("Racks in the Middle").
DJ Khaled
While he's known for catchphrase "another one," the Grammy for best rap/sung performance, an honour shared with John Legend [18] and Nipsey Hussle, was Dr Khaled's first one.
J. Cole
With 12 nominations to his name, J. Cole finally won in the best rap song category for his hit "A Lot."
Rosalía
While she has more than a few Latin Grammys including album of the year, Rosalía won for best Latin rock, urban or alternative album of the year.
Koffee
For her project Rapture, Koffee picked up an award for best reggae album. (Fun fact: one of her songs is an Obama 2019 favourite! [19])
Sara Bareilles
After eight nominations, the "Brave" singer [20] snagged a Grammy for "Saint Honesty" in the best American roots performance category.
Tanya Tucker
After 47 years, country legend Tanya Tucker picked up a Grammy for best country album (While I'm Livin') and best country song ("Bring My Flowers Now"), the latter of which was a collaboration with Brandi Carlile [21].
Jon Samson
Jon Samson, a South African musician and music therapist, won a Grammy for best children's album for Ageless Songs for the Child Archetype.
Ranky Tanky
For Good Time, Ranky Tanky won best regional roots music album.
Michael Cleveland
Michael Cleveland's Tall Fiddler won a Grammy for best bluegrass album.
Aoife O'Donovan
Aoife O'Donovan (far left) received her first Grammy for best American roots song while collaborating with past winners Sarah Jarosz (middle) and Sara Watkins (right) on the song "Call My Name."
Brad Mehldau
A 10-time nominee, Brad Mehldau won in the best jazz instrumental album for Finding Gabriel.
Rodrigo y Gabriela
Mexican acoustic guitar duo Rodrigo y Gabriela picked up an award for best contemporary instrumental album for Mettavolution.
Victor Ledin, Nadia Shpachenko, and Marina Ledin
Victor Ledin, Nadia Shpachenko, and Marina Ledin (middle left to far right) each picked up their first Grammy in the category best classical compendium for The Poetry of Places.
Nicola Benedetti
Nicola Benedetti won a Grammy for the best classical instrumental solo for "Violin Concerto; Fiddle Dance Suite."
Attacca Quartet
For Caroline Shaw's "Orange," the group Attacca Quartet picked up a Grammy for the best chamber music/small ensemble performance category.
Gil Rose
Gil Rose (far left) picked up his first Grammy after four nominations. He won for "Picker: Mr. Fantastic Fox" in the best opera recording category.
Morten Lindberg
For Lux, Norwegian sound engineer won a Grammy for best immersive audio album after 28 nominations.
Tracy Young
Remixing Madonna [22]'s "I Rise," Tracy Young earned a Grammy for best remix recording.
Robert Santelli
Robert Santelli (centre) received his first Grammy for Pete Seeger: The Smithsonian Folksway Collection, which competed in the best historical album category.