50% of Grammy winners were independent releases in 2025
More than 50% of Grammy 2025 winners were independent releases, according to an analysis by The American Association of Independent Music (A2IM).
50% of Grammy winners were independent releases in 2025
With Sierra Ferrell and her label Rounder Records/Concord the clear frontrunner, the 2025 independent Grammy winners also included A2IM member labels Acony Records, Because, GroundUp, Stones Throw Records, and Thirty Tigers. Find a full list below.
“We would like to congratulate the 2025 GRAMMY-winning independent A2IM label members who continue to support and release exceptional and innovative artists and challenge industry norms. We applaud your efforts and talents, and we thank you for continuing to lead the way for companies and artists who want to do it their way,” said A2IM President and CEO, Dr. Richard James Burgess MBE.
Grammy 2025 Winning Releases from A2IM Label Members
Dance/Electronic Recording
“Neverender” — Justice & Tame Impala (Ed Banger Records/Because Music)
Progressive R&B Album
Why Lawd? — NxWorries (Anderson .Paak & Knxwledge) (Stones Throw Records)
Jazz Instrumental Album
Remembrance — Chick Corea & Béla Fleck (Béla Fleck Distributed by Thirty Tigers)
Contemporary Instrumental Album
Plot Armor — Taylor Eigsti (GroundUP Music)
American Roots Performance
“Lighthouse” — Sierra Ferrell (Rounder Records/Concord)
Americana Performance
“American Dreaming” — Sierra Ferrell (Rounder Records/Concord)
American Roots Song
“American Dreaming” — Sierra Ferrell & Melody Walker, songwriters (Sierra Ferrell) (Rounder Records/Concord)
Americana Album
Trail Of Flowers — Sierra Ferrell (Rounder Records/Concord)
Folk Album
Woodland — Gillian Welch & David Rawlings (Acony Records)
Bruce Houghton is the Founder and Editor of Hypebot, a Senior Advisor at Bandsintown, a Berklee College Of Music professor and the founfer of the Skyline Artists Agency