When someone mentions the Grammy Awards, most people tend to think of great music, memorable performances, and global stars like Beyoncé, Quincy Jones, Kanye West, or Bruce Springsteen. Frankly, it's safe to say that no one would immediately think of former US president Barack Obama. However, a fun fact about the Democratic Party member is that he actually has two Grammy Awards at home.
Today, we're taking a trip down memory lane in order to explain just how the politician ended up impressing the Recording Academy. Find out when Barack Obama won his two Grammys and find out who else in his family can relate — keep on scrolling to learn all the details!
7 Barack Obama Has Published Four Books Since 1995
Over the course of his political career, Barack Obama published four very successful books. In 1995 he published the memoir Dreams from My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance. In 2006 he published his second book titled The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream, followed by the children's book Of Thee I Sing: A Letter to My Daughters released in 2010. And finally, last year, the former US president published the memoir A Promised Land.
6 Two Of His Books Won Him Grammy Awards For 'Best Spoken Word Album'
In 2004, the book Dreams from My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance was re-published and in 2006 it won the politician a Grammy award in the category Best Spoken Word Album. Specifically, it was, of course, Obama's recording of the audiobook that won the award. That year, Obama's competition consisted of George Carlin, Al Franken, Garrison Keillor, and Sean Penn.
In 2008, the former President of the United States won again in the same category — this time with the book The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream. That year his competition consisted of Maya Angelou, Bill Clinton, Jimmy Carter, and Alan Alda.
5 The Former US President Won Both Awards Prior To Being Elected
One thing that many probably immediately noticed is that Barack Obama won both of his Grammy Awards prior to being elected president. While Obama did publish two books after getting elected, it certainly seems as if his first two were bigger successes — at least the Recording Academy seems to think so.
4 Obama Is One Of Three US Presidents Who Have Won The Award
Only three US presidents have won a Grammy Award and Barack Obama is one of them. The other two are Jimmy Carter — who won the award in 2007 for Our Endangered Values, in 2016 for A Full Life: Reflections at 90, and in 2019 for Faith: A Journey for All — and Bill Clinton who won the award in 2005 for My Life. It's certainly safe to say that not every president can brag about having a couple of Grammy awards at home!
3 His Wife Michelle Also Won A Grammy Award For 'Best Spoken Word Album'
Having won a Grammy award is something that Barack Obama has in common with his wife Michelle. Last year the former First Lady won the award in the same category — Best Spoken Word Album — for her memoir Becoming. In the category, Michelle Obama beat out John Waters, two of the Beastie Boys, Eric Alexandrakis, and Sekou Andrews & The String Theory.
This means that the Obama household currently has three Grammy awards to brag about. Another former First Lady who won in this category is Hillary Clinton who took the same award home back in 1997 for her book It Takes a Village: And Other Lessons Children Teach Us. Besides this, Hillary Clinton was also nominated in 2004 but that year she didn't take the award home.
2 Barack Obama Is In Quite Impressive Company
While the Grammy Awards are mostly known for recognizing musicians, the Best Spoken Word Album category has certainly had plenty of extremely famous winners over the years. Besides Barack Obama, some celebs who have won the award include Carrie Fisher, Carol Burnett, Joan Rivers, Stephen Colbert, Janis Ian, Betty White, Jon Stewart, Michael J. Fox, Beau Bridges, Cynthia Nixon, Blair Underwood, Ossie Davis, Ruby Dee, Al Franken, Maya Angelou, Quincy Jones, Sidney Poitier, LeVar Burton, Christopher Reeve, Charles Kuralt, Henry Rollins, Earvin "Magic" Johnson, Robert O'Keefe, and many more.
1 Lastly, The Former US President Has Plenty Of Time To Win More Grammys
While the Obamas already have three Grammy Awards at home, there is no doubt that the former US president or his wife could win a few more in the future. The 60-year-old certainly has the time to publish more of his writing — and when that, happens it's safe to say that he also has a good chance of getting nominated in the Best Spoken Word Album again. Let's just say that no one would be surprised if the Obama family ended up having a couple more Grammys in their living room in the future.
