Which artist literally gave half his Grammy to the person he thought should have won?

Which artist literally gave half his Grammy to the person he thought should have won?

The correct answer is John Mayer. After winning the Grammy Award for Song of the Year in 2005 for his hit “Daughters,” Mayer felt another artist was more deserving. In a remarkable act of humility, he literally broke his Grammy in half and gave part of it to Alicia Keys, believing she should have won the award for her song “If I Ain’t Got You.”

Mayer, known for his thoughtful approach to music and songwriting, made headlines for this gesture. During interviews, he explained that while he was honored to win, he believed Keys’ song had a greater emotional depth and cultural impact that year. This act of respect between two Grammy-winning artists became one of the most talked-about moments in award show history and further elevated Mayer’s reputation for integrity and humility.

The award-winning song “Daughters” appeared on Mayer’s 2003 album Heavier Things, which also earned critical acclaim. The track encouraged fathers to be loving and attentive to their daughters — a message that resonated with audiences and earned Mayer the Grammy for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance as well.

Since then, John Mayer has continued to evolve as a musician, shifting from pop to blues and folk influences. He has earned multiple Grammys, collaborated with legends like B.B. King and Eric Clapton, and remains one of the most versatile artists of his generation. Meanwhile, Alicia Keys, the artist he honored, has gone on to win 15 Grammy Awards, solidifying her place as one of the most influential musicians of the 21st century.

Fun fact: Mayer later joked that giving away half a Grammy didn’t make him lose anything — “it just doubled the value of kindness in music.”