Editor’s note: This article was originally published on Nov. 7, 2024 and has been updated to reflect the 2026 GRAMMYs.
GRAMMY season is upon us — which means voting for submitted works, watching the 2026 GRAMMY nominations on Friday, Nov. 7, and seeing who will take home golden gramophones at the 2026 GRAMMYs on Sunday, Feb. 1.
Over 67 awards ceremonies, GRAMMY Awards have elevated careers, sparked cultural shifts, and cemented legacies. For artists, musicians and music industry professionals, a GRAMMY win can be a game-changing moment, unlocking new opportunities for collaboration and enhancing global recognition. Often, a GRAMMY win becomes a pivotal milestone in an artist’s career.
What happens after an artist or music professional wins a GRAMMY? For many, it's a life-changing moment, but the path that follows can be as unique as the music that earned them the accolade.
Below, five GRAMMY-winning artists — icon Linda Ronstadt, transformative artist White Sun, reggae artist Kabaka Pyramid, Puerto Rican singer iLe, and acclaimed jazz drummer Antonio Sánchez — discuss how winning a GRAMMY has affected their careers and creativity.
Linda Ronstadt
Number of GRAMMY Awards: 11\
First GRAMMY Won: Best Country Vocal Performance, Female for "I Can't Help It (If I'm Still In Love With You)," 1976 GRAMMYs
A trailblazing figure, Linda Ronstadt is known for her remarkable versatility and powerful voice that transcends genres. Over four decades, Ronstadt broke boundaries not only in her music, but also in her advocacy for artists' rights and political causes.
Musically, Ronstadt defied industry norms by crossing over from rock and country, while also embracing diverse genres such as opera and jazz. Ronstadt honored her Mexican heritage via multiple Spanish-language albums, including 1987's Canciones de Mi Padre. That album highlighted traditional Mexican mariachi music and became the best-selling non-English language album in U.S. history, playing a key role in bringing Latin music into the mainstream spotlight. The album took home a golden gramophone for Best Mexican-American Performance at the 31st GRAMMY Awards.
Ronstadt has 11 career GRAMMY Awards, as well as a Latin Recording Academy Lifetime Achievement Award and a Recording Academy Lifetime Achievement Award. But her journey didn't end with the wins, the last of which came during the 63rd GRAMMY Awards for Best Music Film.
Ronstadt points to her early wins as the beginning of a new chapter characterized by continued growth and dedication. While the GRAMMY Award is recognition, it doesn't instantly transform an artist's skills or career. "Winning a GRAMMY did not make me a better singer," Ronstadt tells GRAMMY.com. "It took several more years of hard work to do that. But it is always nice to have your work validated."
Antonio Sánchez
Number of GRAMMY Awards: 5\
First GRAMMY Won: Best Contemporary Jazz Album, Speaking Of Now, 2003 GRAMMYs
Drummer and composer Antonio Sánchez gained widespread recognition for his collaborations with jazz guitar legend Pat Metheny and icons such as Chick Corea and Gary Burton. Beyond jazz, Sánchez made a significant mark on film, most notably with his groundbreaking score for the 2014 Oscar-winning film Birdman, directed by Alejandro González Iñárritu. Sánchez's GRAMMY Awards reflect his ability to push the boundaries of music and have shaped his career.
"I’m humbled and honored to have received GRAMMY Awards, and they have certainly expanded an awareness of what I do to those unfamiliar," he explains.
While Sánchez doesn’t believe anyone hires him solely because of his awards, the wins have undoubtedly brought more attention to his work. He recalls his first GRAMMY win over 20 years ago with The Pat Metheny Group: "I’ll never forget the moment I held it in my hands — and being surprised by its weight," Sánchez says. That win supercharged his passion for music, reinforcing his desire to surround himself with the highest caliber musicians and continue striving for excellence.\
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For aspiring musicians, Sánchez emphasizes the importance of staying true to one’s creative process. "Try not to think of awards, accolades, or public opinion in your creative process," he advises. Instead, he encourages artists to focus on what they love and give it their all. For Sánchez, the pressure to deliver is always present, but he believes that pursuing awards should not be the goal.
"Your virtue is its own reward — the best reward," he says, reminding artists that if they work hard enough, recognition and awards like the GRAMMYs will follow.
Kabaka Pyramid
Number of GRAMMY Awards: 1\
First GRAMMY Won: Best Reggae Album for The Kalling, 2023 GRAMMYs
Kingston, Jamaica, native Kabaka Pyramid is known for blending traditional roots reggae with elements of hip-hop and dancehall. His music is celebrated for its socially conscious messages, tackling topics such as inequality, spirituality, and cultural empowerment. Kabaka's unique style and powerful lyrics have attracted a global audience, establishing him as a leading figure in modern reggae.
Kabaka acknowledges that winning a GRAMMY has impacted all aspects of his career. "I can say just about every area has been elevated to some degree," he shares. This success has led to everything from bigger financial offers to more shows, as well as increased publicity and social media growth. He’s also had the chance to travel to new places and noted a greater respect within the industry.
However, with success comes challenges. Kabaka shared that he feels heightened expectations to perform, and notes that he's received some "absurd requests" to perform from people who want to benefit from their association with him. He added that some people who knew him before he won a GRAMMY now interact with him differently, which can feel strange at times.
The Kalling's GRAMMY win has given Kabaka Pyramid more inspiration and motivation to strive for greatness, though his approach to making music has not changed fundamentally. "It’s the same process as before, but more mindful of the details to ensure the standard is always being raised," he explains. The artist advises aspiring musicians to "stay grounded but reach for the stars.
"It's important to consciously know what you're about and what you stand for," he advises.
iLe
Number of GRAMMY Awards: 1\
First GRAMMY Won: Best Latin Rock, Urban or Alternative Album for iLevitable, 2017 GRAMMYs
iLe possesses a powerful and distinct voice. Her solo career is defined by evocative lyrics and a style that fuses the traditional sounds of Latin America with modern musical elements.
Born Ileana Mercedes Cabra Joglar in Puerto Rico, iLe grew up surrounded by creativity, with a family deeply involved in the arts. During her teenage years, iLe collaborated with her siblings, René Pérez Joglar (Residente) and Eduardo Cabra (Visitante), to take on the role of lead singer for their group, Calle 13. Her commanding voice and captivating stage presence played a crucial role in defining the band's unique meld of hip-hop, rock, and traditional Latin music.
iLe says her win at the 59th GRAMMY Awards was an unexpected yet rewarding experience. The greatest reward was celebrating the achievement. "Working on an album is already hard enough, and every album you get to release is literally that: a release, a satisfaction, a transition into something new," she shares.
While the GRAMMY brought new opportunities, iLe emphasizes that she’s most thankful for the chance to continue making music. "I feel grateful to have had opportunities like this to expand my music, but I feel even more grateful to be doing what I love," she reflects.\
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iLe notes that the award didn’t change the themes she explores in her music, which are grounded in honesty and a deep connection to her culture. She encourages other Latin artists to work hard and stay authentic. "Don’t feel the need to turn into something you’re not just to feel some sort of approval or validation," she advises, adding that musicians should continue to explore their own paths and enjoy the journey.
White Sun
Number of GRAMMY Awards: 2\
First GRAMMY Won: Best New Age Album for White Sun II, 2017 GRAMMYs
White Sun seamlessly merges ancient yogic mantras with modern music to create a sound that’s both unique and meditative. Led by vocalist Gurujas, with multi-instrumentalist Adam Berry and percussionist Harijiwan, the group is known for their calming, spiritual music that promotes mindfulness and wellness.
White Sun first won Best New Age Album at the 2017 GRAMMYs for White Sun II — the first all-mantra album to win the award — and their second win came in the renamed category six years later for Mystic Mirror. White Sun believes winning a GRAMMY broadened the recognition of their work.
"There is no question that our two GRAMMY wins gave us a bump in listenership," they note, explaining that they experienced a surge of interest following each win. The results go beyond new fans, however.
"Just like any other artist, every time we make a song, we aspire to create emotional impact, compelling melody, high production quality, and innovative lyricism," the group says, adding that their music exceeds these goals by using frequencies that positively affect the body, resulting in "countless stories of physical and mental healing from all over the world."
White Sun remains committed to their artistic integrity. Gurujas says winning the GRAMMY has only strengthened her resolve to "stay true to the creative force within me and honor the music above all else." She advises fellow artists navigating the post-GRAMMY experience to stay prolific, humble, and true to oneself.
"If you fall into the trap of trying to create music you think other people want to hear, your success will be ephemeral, and your music will be forgotten," she warns, urging artists to focus on what they want to leave behind.