At the 68th Grammy Awards this past Sunday, Detroit's gospel legend CeCe Winans achieved a historic feat by winning her 18th Grammy, tying with the city's own Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin. According to FOX 2 Detroit, Winans' latest Grammy was awarded for her duet with Shirley Caesar, "Come Jesus Come." During a non-televised ceremony, Winans was honored for Best Gospel Performance/Song, a recognition that places her among the most awarded female artists in Grammy history.
Having grown up in Detroit, Winans sees her career milestones as an homage to her upbringing in a musically-inclined family. "When I won my first Grammy, I was like, wow, we played this into existence," Winans told FOX 2 Detroit in a statement. Her record-tying win arrived at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, which Detroit News states will be the last year for CBS' airing of the Grammys before moving to Disney outlets in 2027.
Winans' enduring influence in the music industry is not only felt through her accolades but through her ability to touch hearts across generations. Her discography has amassed over two billion views on YouTube, marking a significant digital impact. "Knowing that the music continues to reach hearts across generations reminds me why I do this," Winans expressed in an interview with GodTube.
Winans wasn’t the only Michigan native honored at this year’s Grammys. Lansing-born bluegrass artist Billy Strings won Best Bluegrass Album for Highway Prayers, according to the Detroit News. He previously won Grammys in 2021 and 2025. Together, the two artists highlight Michigan’s diverse musical talent on a national stage.
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