After six nominations, Steve Lacy walked home with his first Grammy Sunday night.
The 24 year old won in the category of Best Progressive R&B Album for Gemini Rights.
“It’s dope, to have it be mine,” the Filipino American said backstage after winning the award.
“I didn’t have to change. I just have to be myself and get better at being myself and continuing to work hard.”
Raised by an African American mother, he lost his Filipino American dad when his father died when Lacy was just 10 years old.
Lacy got his start as a producer in the recording industry and says he wants to produce more music for other artists, as well as embark on a new tour in June.
In all, he was up for four awards Sunday, having also received nominations for Record of the Year, Song of the Year and Best Solo Performance for Bad Habit.
He performed his chart-topping hit toward the end of the televised portion of the awards show.
Lacy also received nominations for Best Urban Contemporary Album both in 2016 and 2020.
RELATED: Grammy Awards put spotlight on Asian American talent
Japanese musician Masanori Takumi earned a Grammy Sunday for his album Sakura in the category of Best Global Music Album.
“It feels like somebody else’s affair as I never thought I would receive such a prestigious award, but I will take the time to savor (this moment),” he told reporters after the show, reported Japan Today.
He has produced for Japanese pop groups such as Exile and Da Pump as well as the South Korean all-girl group Kara.
His music on Sakura featured songs performed with traditional Asian instruments.
Olivia Rodrigo returned to the Grammy stage to present the award for Best New Artist, the Grammy she won just last year.
For the third year in a row, BTS failed to earn its first Grammy. It received two nominations this year, including Best Music Video for Yet to Come and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for My Universe with Coldplay.
It had previously received nominations for Pop Duo/Group Performance.
John Kim Faye, a Korean American who had a top 40 hit as lead singer of the Caulfields, in the 90s, says BTS doesn’t need any validation from the Grammys.
“Yes, it absolutely feels like BTS was snubbed, but they clearly have the undying support of their millions of fans, and in the end, and it’s my hope that validation from them that is far more valuable to the members of BTS. True artists value connection over statues,” said Faye in an email to AsAmNews.
(Editor’s Note: A previous version of this story incorrectly stated that Devil’s Diary reached the top of the charts. We apologize for the error)
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