Iman Jordan makes Black queer history with his Grammy win

The 2025 Grammy Awards took centre stage in Los Angeles last night, celebrating the year’s most exceptional songs, videos, albums, and artists in the music industry.

The show featured performances by artists such as Doechii, Janelle Monáe, and Stevie Wonder, and the event was graced with appearances by some of the industry’s most notable figures, including Beyoncé, Kaytranda, Will Smith, and Victoria Monét.

Adding to the excitement, several of our Native Sons were nominated for their work across different music genres—ranging from Kaytranada’s third album ‘Timeless’ to Wayne Brady and Avery Wilson’s nomination for the Broadway revival’s cast recording of The Wiz.

Singer-songwriter Iman Jordan celebrated his first Grammy win, joining the ranks of Black queer men who have historically won this prestigious award, according to ‘Queerty’.

Jordan was awarded the Harry Belafonte Best Song For Social Change Award for his song ‘Deliver,’ co-written by Roy Gartrell, Tam Jones, and Ariel Loh. Both Jordan, Jones, and Loh are proud members of the LGBTQ+ community.

“It’s a song that originated from an Instagram reel idea I had one day. Now it’s become an unexpected anthem, embraced by artists, friends, and family,” Jordan shared on Instagram about ‘Deliver.’

Jordan and his co-writers were presented with their Grammy during the Special Merit Awards on February 1 at the Wilshire Ebell Theatre in Los Angeles, with further acknowledgment during the televised ceremony on February 2.

“As artists, we bear the responsibility to portray the unique era we live in, where those in power have reduced LGBTQ+ rights and targeted Black, Brown, and immigrant communities,” Jordan stated. “Chaos, algorithms, and oligarchs have increased our divisions, making it more challenging for us to see each other’s humanity.”

Kaytranda, Durand Bernarr, Brady, and Avery Wilson were applauded for their nominations despite not winning a Grammy.

This year, Kaytranada received three Grammy nominations: Best Dance/Electronic Album for ‘Timeless,’ Best Remixed Recording/Non-Classical for Doechii’s ‘Alter-Ego KAYTRANADA Remix,’ and Best Dance Recording for ‘Witchy’ featuring Childish Gambino.

Bernarr earned his first Grammy nomination for Best Progressive R&B Album with his EP, En Route. Brady and Wilson were recognised in the Best Musical Theater Album category for The Wiz’s cast recording.

This year marked another significant moment for the recognition of Black queer men’s artistic excellence, with a Grammy win for a Black queer male artist and several nominations for Black queer men.

The celebration of such talent filled the Black queer community with pride on music’s most celebrated evening.