2026 Grammys: 9 Winners & Nominees Who Champion Music People & Advocacy

The winners and nominees at the 2026 Grammysexemplify a long-standing commitment to music advocacy, demonstrating that artistic excellence and civic engagement go hand in hand. Across genres and generations, these creators are using their platforms to protect music makers, advance smart policy, and strengthen the future of the creative community. From Leon Thomas leading Music Advocacy Day 2025to YUNGBLUD pushing for responsible AI safeguards, their influence extends far beyond the stage.

Leon Thomas

Leon Thomasserved as the 2025 Artist Ambassador for Music Advocacy Day, the nation's largest grassroots advocacy movement for music creators. In this role, he helped mobilize Recording Academy members nationwide to support creators' rights and advocate for meaningful policy change. A vocal champion for artists, he also participated in Grammys on the Hill Advocacy Day last year, meeting directly with members of Congress to discuss issues impacting music makers.

At the 2026 Grammys, Leon Thomas won the Grammy for Best R&B Album for MUTTand Best Traditional R&B Performance for "VIBES DON'T LIE." He was also nominated for Best New Artist, Album of the Year (MUTT), Best R&B Song ("YES IT IS"), and Best R&B Performance "MUTT (Live From NPR's Tiny Desk)."

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Yolanda Adams

A four-time Grammy-winning singer/songwriter and past Recording Academy Trustee, Yolanda Adamshas been a leading voice for creators for more than a decade. A former Co-Chair of the Recording Academy's National Advocacy Committee, she has played a pivotal role in advancing artists' rights at both the federal and state levels.

In 2020, Adams testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee's Subcommittee on Intellectual Property during a Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) hearing, offering firsthand perspective on fair use. She has participated in Music Advocacy Day six times and was honored with the Creators Leadership Award at the 2019 Grammys on the Hill Awards.

Last year, Adams represented the Recording Academy's Texas Chapterin Austin, where the state government honored music advocates with official resolutions in both chambers and declared Feb. 18, 2025, as Texas Music Advocacy Day.

She was nominated for Best Gospel Album for Sunny Daysat the 2026 Grammys.

YUNGBLUD

Rock artist YUNGBLUDparticipated in Music Advocacy Day 2025, meeting in Nashville with staff from Sen. Bill Hagerty's (R-Tenn.) office to highlight the need to protect creators from uncompensated AI exploitationand advance bipartisan safeguards through the NO FAKES Act.

He won his first Grammy for Best Rock Performance for his cover of Black Sabbath's "Changes" at the 2026 Grammys, where he was also nominated for Best Rock Album (Idols) and Best Rock Song ("Zombie").

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Sean Patrick Flahaven

Grammy winner and five-time Grammy nominee Sean Patrick Flahavenserves as a Trustee on the Recording Academy's National Advocacy Committee, which works closely with the Academy's Advocacy & Public Policy teamin Washington, D.C., to help shape the organization's legislative priorities.

The producer, arranger, conductor, and music executive received a Grammy nomination for Best Musical Theater Album for Death Becomes Her at the 2026 Grammys.

Maggie Rose

Nashville-based singer/songwriter Maggie Roseserves on the National Advocacy Committee, alongside Flahaven, and previously held the role of Nashville Chapter Advocacy Committee Co-Chair. In 2024, she met with congressional staffduring Music Advocacy Day to discuss AI policy, music tourism, and ticketing reform. She also hosted the Grammys on the Hill Awards in 2023, further underscoring her commitment to creator rights.

At the 2026 Grammys, Rose earned her second Grammy nomination, receiving a nod for Best Americana Performance for "Poison In My Well."

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Ledisi

Grammy winner, 16-time Grammy nominee, and Recording Academy Trustee Ledisihas been an active participant in Music Advocacy Day, including appearances in both 2024 and 2025. The Oakland-based singer/songwriter's advocacy has focused on pro-artist AI legislation, arts funding, and proactive ticketing reform.

Ledisi was nominated for Best R&B Album (The Crown) and Best Traditional R&B Performance ("LOVE YOU TOO") at the 2026 Grammys.

Kenyon Dixon

A steadfast advocate for music and its makers, artist and producer Kenyon Dixonhas met with lawmakers during both Music Advocacy Day and Grammys on the Hill for two consecutive years, discussing key policy priorities including the NO FAKES Act and music tourism legislation.

Dixon was nominated for two Grammys at the 2026 Grammys: Best Melodic Rap Performance ("WeMaj") and Best Progressive R&B Album (Come As You Are).

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Nicole Zuraitis

Two-time Grammy winner and five-time Grammy-nominated jazz vocalist Nicole Zuraitisis a consistent advocate for pro-music policy. She has participated in Music Advocacy Day five years in a row and made her voice heard on Capitol Hill as part of Grammys on the Hill in both 2024 and 2025. Zuraitis was featured in the 2025 Winter Advocacy Conference in a discussion, available to watch in full below, outlining how independent creators can benefit from the HITS Act, which was signed into lawlast year.

Zuraitis earned two Grammy nominations at the 2026 Grammys: Best Jazz Vocal Album (Live at Vic's Las Vegas) and Best Jazz Performance ("All Stars Lead To You - Live").

ARKAI

ARKAIare an electroacoustic duo known for defying genre boundaries. In 2025, ARKAI participated in Music Advocacy Day, meeting with Rep. Jerry Nadler's (D-N.Y.) office to advocate for stronger protections from generative AI on behalf of music creators and increased federal funding for the arts. They also performed the national anthem at the Grammys on the Hill Awards in 2024.

ARKAI became first-time Grammy winners this year, winning the Grammy for Best Contemporary Instrumental Album for Brightsideat the 2026 Grammys.

Get Involved

These Grammy winners and Grammy nominees highlight the powerful role advocacy plays in shaping the future of music. Learn how you can join the effort to support creators throughout the year by visiting our Advocacy page, following our Facebook page, and activating our Music Advocacy Action tool.

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