> At a Glance
> – Jazz vocalist Samara Joy enters the 68th Grammy Awards with two fresh nominations
> – She has won all five previous Grammys, including Best New Artist in 2023
> – Her third album Portrait dropped in October 2024
> – Why it matters: A sixth and seventh win would extend one of the most flawless Grammy streaks in modern music
With two new Grammy nods, Samara Joy remains undefeated at the ceremony and aims to keep her streak alive on Feb. 1.
A Clean Slate
The Bronx-born singer first stunned the industry by sweeping Best New Artist and Best Jazz Vocal Album for Linger Awhile at the 65th Grammys. She added Best Jazz Performance in 2024 and doubled up again in 2025, bringing her tally to five wins on five tries.
Now 25, Joy is nominated for:
- Best Jazz Performance
- Best Jazz Vocal Album
Inside Portrait
Joy calls her October 2024 release a “creative baby” built on two years of road-testing a large ensemble. She channeled influences ranging from Duke Ellington to Abbey Lincoln, insisting the post-Grammy spotlight never diluted her purpose.
> “I spent two years just focusing on music after all of this newfound attention.”
> – Samara Joy
Family Roots
Joy credits her late grandparents, Elder Goldwire McLendon and Ruth McLendon, plus her studio-owner father and a musically inclined extended family, for shaping her artistry.
| Album | Grammy Wins | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Linger Awhile | 2 | 2023 |
| A Joyful Holiday | 0 | 2023 |
| Portrait | TBD | 2025 |
Key Takeaways
- Joy maintains a 100% Grammy win rate across five nominations
- Portrait represents her first self-directed artistic statement after rapid fame
- The 68th Grammy Awards air Feb. 1 on CBS and Paramount+
Whether the streak continues or not, Joy says she’ll stay grateful: awards are merely the “cherry on top” of work she wants remembered for substance and authenticity.
