Why Key Grammy Wins by The Cure, Kehlani, Doechii, Leon Thomas, and Turnstile Matter

The early wins at the 2026 Grammy Awards felt less like surprises and more like long-overdue course corrections. For artists like The Cure, Kehlani, Turnstile, FKA twigs, Leon Thomas, and Doechii, these victories represented first-time Grammy wins, historic breakthroughs, and rare moments where the industry finally caught up to the culture. And considering we’ve been platforming some of these artists well before their mainstream popularity, it makes their first-time wins all the more special.

The Cure’s 2026 wins for Songs of a Lost World and “Alone” marked the band’s first Grammy victories after decades of shaping alternative music itself. Which is absolutely insane to me. Like, how is this their first win? I mean, “Boy Don’t Cry” just turned 40. And “Friday I’m In Love” was radio-ready. But then again, I’m not surprised. The Grammys rarely favored those outside of the box, the outcasts, the rebels, the real artists … It’s nice to see that begin to shift, albeit very slowly. The Cure’s recognition was long overdue. It finally acknowledges a global legacy that’s been quietly foundational for generations.

Kehlani’s first-time Grammy wins for “Folded” (Best R&B Performance and Best R&B Song) carried extraordinary emotional weight for me, and I imagine so many other longtime fans, especially those of us who know the importance of advocating for human rights and speaking up against injustice. In recent years, Kehlani faced backlash and isolation for speaking out in support of Palestine and calling for an end to the genocide. Despite professional and personal hardship, her music continued to resonate deeply. Her win stands as proof of both her undeniable talent and the powerful connection she maintains with fans, even when using her voice comes at a cost.

Turnstile’s Best Rock Album win for Never Enough and Best Metal Performance for “Birds,” were also a big deal. Long viewed as an underground hardcore punk band at its core, Turnstile shattered expectations by crossing into the mainstream without losing its identity. The album introduced them to a massive new audience and earned a Grammy for a genre that’s rarely been welcomed on that stage. For a deeper analysis of Never Enough‘s climb and impact, watch the Grimy Goods album review.

FKA twigs’ Grammy win for EUSEXUA (Best Dance/Electronic Album) was also a first—and long overdue. Frankly, she should have taken home multiple Grammys for 2014’s LP1, especially for “Two Weeks,” but the Recording Academy wasn’t exactly checking for the underground, indie, and alt artists the rest of us were championing at the time. That makes this win even sweeter. EUSEXUA is confrontational, erotic, and wildly experimental, and twigs caught plenty of lazy backlash for it—particularly from close-minded critics clutching their pearls over her glass-box dancing at those EUSEXUA raves in Los Angeles and New York during the album’s early promo run. So yes, it’s not just refreshing but entirely warranted to see the Grammys finally give this goddamn icon her due.

After years of building hits for others, Mutt confirms Leon Thomas was always meant to be the main event. His Grammy journey is a perfect example of how working behind the scenes can translate into long-overdue recognition. He earned his first Grammy in 2024 as a co-writer and producer on SZA’s hit “Snooze”, taking home Best R&B Song. Fast forward to the 2026 Grammys, and Leon’s album Mutt won the Grammy for Best R&B Album. His trajectory from Grammy-winning songwriter and producer to celebrated solo performer shows how talent and finally doing for yourself what you’ve always done for others can reshape a career when the spotlight finally shifts.

Doechii’s win for Best Music Video for “Anxiety” was uniquely timed. The song had been released long before the video, existing on its own before being reimagined visually. She originally uploaded the song to YouTube in November 2019, when she self-released a demo version as part of her Coven Music Sessions. Although 2025 was the year Doechii won her first Grammy, this new 2026 Grammy award recognized not just the video’s creativity but also Doechii’s ability to let her art evolve outside traditional release cycles.

From Leon to The Cure, each artist’s win underscores the broader theme of this year’s awards: artists who have been quietly shaping culture for years, whether behind the scenes or in genres that aren’t labeled as “popular,” are finally being seen and celebrated.

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