Durand Bernarr is formally a Grammy winner. The indie R&B star took dwelling a statuette for Best Progressive R&B Album on the 68th Grammy Awards on Sunday (Feb. 1) for his third album, BLOOM.
It marks the Cleveland-born singer’s first Grammy win after 4 nominations. Three of these nods have been for this ceremony, together with Best R&B Song (“Overqualified”), Best Traditional R&B Performance (“Here We Are”) and Best Progressive R&B Album.
An ecstatic Bernarr ran as much as the stage to assert his victory and delivered a strong acceptance speech.
“Happy Black History Month for the remainder of my life. I wish to remind everybody that we’re all we bought and we know I’m referring to, so please give your self some grace and prolong some kindness to your neighbor who wants it,” mentioned Bernarr.
He then went on to thank the Recording Academy, his household, mates, his workforce and his supporters. As he was talking, his mom and father joined him on stage. “To all unbiased artists on the market and to each Butch Queen who was made to really feel such as you have been an excessive amount of, I’m the proof that you just wanted and the signal that you’ve been ready for. Be your self.”
He concluded his speech by giving himself his much-deserved reward. “I wish to thank myself as a result of this was some onerous work, y’all — 20 plus years.”
BLOOM was launched Feb. 18, 2025, by way of Create Music Group. The 15-track album contains the confidence-boosting anthem “Overqualified,” in addition to collaborations with T-Pain and R&B duo GAWD.
Speaking on his album, Bernarr shared, “BLOOM is me in full colour—uncooked, sentimental, and fully unfiltered. My dad and mom made certain I knew my voice mattered, and that basis formed not simply who I’m, however the music I create.”
He continued, “This album is about development—discovering love past romance, cultivating self-acceptance, and thriving within the areas that permit us to bloom. Traces of Phyllis Hyman, Luther Vandross, Maxwell, Chanté Moore, and Missy Elliott are woven into the material of the album. It’s laughter, it’s nervousness, it’s frustration, it’s triumph—it’s all of the issues that make us human. And on the coronary heart of it, BLOOM is an invite to embrace each a part of the journey.”
BLOOM was ranked No. 1 on Rated R&B’s 25 Best R&B Albums of 2025 listing.
Watch Durand Bernarr settle for his Grammy for Best Progressive R&B Album beneath.
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