Tracking Beyoncé’s Ascent to Become the Grammy Queen
Since the late 1990s, Beyoncé Knowles-Carter has reigned unrivaled as the world’s biggest R&B/pop diva. As lead of best-selling girl group Destiny’s Child and then an equally successful solo artist, she’s dominated airwaves for nearly 25 years with chart-toppers like “Single Ladies,” “Irreplaceable” and “Halo.” But a crucial part of Beyoncé’s icon status is also the massive collection of Grammys she’s amassed along the way – officially cementing her as music aristocracy. So with the 2023 Grammy Awards happening this weekend, how many golden gramophones make up Queen Bey’s current tally?
The Full Grammy Rundown
As of February 2023, Beyoncé has won a lifetime total of 28 Grammy awards to date. Her first came 20 long years ago when Destiny’s Child took home Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals for “Say My Name” in 2001.
Here’s the full breakdown of all 28 Grammy victories Beyoncé has racked up both solo and with Destiny’s Child since then:
3 with Destiny’s Child
- 2001 – Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals – “Say My Name”
- 2004 – Best Contemporary R&B Album – “Destiny Fulfilled”
- 2004 – Best R&B Song – “Lose My Breath”
- 24 as a solo artist
- 2008 – Best Contemporary R&B Album – “B’Day”
- 2009 – Best Female R&B Vocal Performance – “Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)”
- 2010 – Song Of The Year – “Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)”
- 2010 – Best Female Pop Vocal Performance – “Halo”
- 2010 – Best Female R&B Vocal Performance – “Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)”
- 2010 – Best R&B Song – Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)”
- 2010 – Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance – “At Last”
- 2010 – Best R&B Song – “Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)”
- 2011 – Best Female Pop Vocal Performance – “Halo”
- 2012 – Best Rap/Sung Collaboration – “Crazy In Love”
- 2013 – Best Traditional R&B Performance – “Love On Top”
- 2014 – Best R&B Performance – “Drunk In Love” [with Jay-Z]
- 2015 – Best R&B Performance – “Drunk In Love”
- 2015 – Best Surround Sound Album – “Beyoncé”
- 2016 – Best Music Video – “Formation”
- 2017 – Best Urban Contemporary Album – “Lemonade”
- 2019 – Best Music Film – Homecoming
- 2020 – Best Music Video – “Brown Skin Girl”
- 2021 – Best R&B Performance – “Black Parade”
- 2023 – Best Dance/Electronic Music Album – Renaissance
- 2023 – Best R&B Song – “Cuff It”
- 2023 – Best Traditional R&B Performance – “Plastic Off the Sofa”
In addition to her 28 Grammy wins, Beyoncé to date has been nominated for awards a jaw-dropping 88 times by the Recording Academy. That puts her second only to her husband Jay-Z as the most nominated artist ever. And with her celebrated 2022 comeback album Renaissance up for more honors at the 2023 ceremony this weekend, she’s certain to expand that Grammy tally even higher.
Closing In On History
Between her wins solo plus early Destiny’s Child victories, Beyoncé as of 2023 has collected 31 total Grammys. That currently places her just one trophy behind classical conductor Georg Solti for having the second-most Grammy victories. Legendary composer Quincy Jones still holds the record for most Grammy wins ever with 28.
However, Beyoncé is considered a shoo-in to at least match if not surpass Quincy Jones’ tally in the next few years. She’s already the top GRAMMY-awarded female act ever and the 2023 wins from Renaissance make record-breaking No. 1 imminent. Following 2023’s current domination, all she likely needs is one or two more promising era cycles to make history as the overall artist with the most Grammy awards of all time.
Given Beyonce’s sustained influence and her devoted fanbase’s expectations for continual excellence, this milestone seems guaranteed sooner rather than later. As both the Recording Academy and broader culture adore honoring Beyoncé’s brilliance whenever possible, all hail our eternal Grammy queen.