Iman Jordan makes Black queer history with his Grammy win
To add to the excitement of this year’s ceremony, several of our Native Sons were nominated for music projects across genres – from Kaytranada’s nomination for his third album “Timeless” to Wayne Brady and Avery Wilson’s nomination for The Wiz’s cast recording.Singer-songwriter Iman Jordan was honored with his first Grammy Award, adding his name to the list of Black queer men who have made history by winning a Grammy.Jordan won the Harry Belafonte Best Song For Social Change Award for the track “Deliver.” The song was written by Jordan, Roy Gartrell, Tam Jones, and Ariel Loh.
Jordan, Jones, and Loh are all members of the LGBTQ+ community.“It’s a song that started off as a Instagram reel song that I had on my heart one day.
And now it’s become this surprising anthem that has been blessed by artists’ friends and family,” said Jordan in an Instagram post describing “Deliver.”A post shared by Iman Jordan (@imanjordanmusic)Jordan and his fellow writers received their Grammy during the Special Merit Awards ceremony on February 1 at the Wilshire Ebell Theatre in Los Angeles.
They also received special recognition during the televised Grammy Awards ceremony on February 2.“As artists, it is our responsibility to reflect the extraordinary times we are living in—where those in power have stripped away LGBTQ+ rights and targeted Black, Brown, and immigrant communities,” Jordan said in a statement. “Chaos, algorithms, and oligarchs have deepened our divisions, making it harder for us to recognize each other’s humanity.”A post shared by Iman Jordan (@imanjordanmusic)Though they may not have taken home a golden gramophone, Kaytranda, Durand Bernarr, Brady, and Avery Wilson received praise for their Grammy nominations.
