Durand Bernarr is officially a Grammy winner. The indie R&B star took home a statuette for Best Progressive R&B Album at the 68th Grammy Awards on Sunday (Feb. 1) for his third album, BLOOM.
It marks the Cleveland-born singer’s first Grammy win after four nominations. Three of those nods were for this ceremony, including Best R&B Song (“Overqualified”), Best Traditional R&B Performance (“Here We Are”) and Best Progressive R&B Album.
An ecstatic Bernarr ran up to the stage to claim his victory and delivered a powerful acceptance speech.
“Happy Black History Month for the rest of my life. I want to remind everyone that we are all we got and we know I am referring to, so please give yourself some grace and extend some kindness to your neighbor who needs it,” said Bernarr.
He then went on to thank the Recording Academy, his family, friends, his team and his supporters. As he was speaking, his mother and father joined him on stage. “To all independent artists out there and to every Butch Queen who was made to feel like you were too much, I am the proof that you needed and the sign that you have been waiting for. Be yourself.”
He concluded his speech by giving himself his much-deserved praise. “I want to thank myself because this was some hard work, y’all — 20 plus years.”
BLOOM was released Feb. 18, 2025, via Create Music Group. The 15-track album includes the confidence-boosting anthem “Overqualified,” as well as collaborations with T-Pain and R&B duo GAWD.
Speaking on his album, Bernarr shared, “BLOOM is me in full color—raw, sentimental, and completely unfiltered. My parents made sure I knew my voice mattered, and that foundation shaped not just who I am, but the music I create.”
He continued, “This album is about growth—discovering love beyond romance, cultivating self-acceptance, and thriving in the spaces that allow us to bloom. Traces of Phyllis Hyman, Luther Vandross, Maxwell, Chanté Moore, and Missy Elliott are woven into the fabric of the album. It’s laughter, it’s anxiety, it’s frustration, it’s triumph—it’s all the things that make us human. And at the heart of it, BLOOM is an invitation to embrace every part of the journey.”
BLOOM was ranked No. 1 on Rated R&B’s 25 Best R&B Albums of 2025 list.
Watch Durand Bernarr accept his Grammy for Best Progressive R&B Album below.
