THIS year’s Grammys is a notable one, and for several reasons.
First, it has expanded its nomination pool in the top categories to 10 artists from eight. Next, the event is held in Las Vegas, Nevada for the first time, away from Los Angeles, California where the awards are usually held.
The third reason? Call it a fabulous showcase of Filipino talent across all genres of popular music.
There is a new wave of young, talented Filipino artists and America is taking notice. Across top categories, artists with Philippine heritage including Olivia Rodrigo, Saweetie and H.E.R. were nominated for best New Artist, Album, Song and Record of the Year.
Looking back, the first Filipino-American to win a Grammy was Larry Ramos of The New Christy Minstrels in 1962. He was also the first Asian-American to do it. Times have changed and they have for the better.
Rodrigo, 19, took home the Best New Artist, Best Pop Solo Performance and Best Pop Vocal Album awards.
“I really wanna dedicate this award to my parents,” Rodrigo said during her award acceptance speech. “I want to thank my mom for being supportive of my dreams no matter how crazy. And I want to thank my mom and dad for being equally as proud of me for winning a Grammy,” she said. Rodrigo is part Filipina on her father’s side.
Another big winner was Bruno Mars. Born Peter Gene Hernandez in Hawaii, Mars is no stranger to success in the music world. For this year’s awards, his band Silk Sonic won Song of the Year for “Leave the Door Open,” Best R&B Performance and Best R&B Song. These wins add to his 11 Grammys. The singer is of mixed heritage and is part Filipino on his mother’s side.
H.E.R.—who has already four Grammys to her name—was nominated for eight awards this year and won Best Traditional R&B Performance for the track “Fight for You.” The 24-year-old singer, born Gabriella Wilson, is of Filipino descent on her mother’s side.
Rapper Saweetie—born Diamonte Quiava Valentin Harper and is of mixed Filipino descent through her mother—was nominated for Best New Artist and Best Rap Song.
Lastly, remember comedian Rob Schneider? The actor has always been vocal and proud of his Filipino heritage. Now, his daughter, singer Elle King, has taken to embodying “Pinoy pride.”
King was nominated for Best Country Duo/Group Performance for her duet with Miranda Lambert, “Drunk (and I Don’t Wanna Go Home).”
According to data by the Pew Research Center, the city of Los Angeles has more Filipino-Americans than any other city in the United States. The report states there are about 500,000 Filipino-Americans in the City of Angels.
Artists like Rodrigo, H.E.R. and Saweetie were raised in California, where an estimated 1.6 million Filipino-Americans reside.