A Scottish music producer has scooped a prestigious Grammy award for a hit RnB song worked on in his bedroom.
Blair Ferguson from Glasgow was nominated for five gongs at the iconic music awards, scooping a prize for hit song Snooze which he co-wrote at just 20 years of age.
The song, performed by chart topper SZA, won best R&B song at Sunday’s star-studded ceremony in Los Angeles.
The Scot worked on the smash-hit from a makeshift studio in his bedroom while staying with his aunt.
Ferguson, under the name, BLK Beats has previously collaborated with the likes of Canadian sensation Justin Bieber and rap artist Diddy.
The former Kelvinside Academy student left school to pursue his dream after making music in his bedroom since age 15.
He said after the ceremony: “It’s incredible to be out here and to represent Scotland, it’s not that something that happens very often.
“I want to say a huge thanks to the whole team, to SZA…it’s been an incredible experience.”
He added: “It came from a very weird time in my life.
“I was staying at my aunt’s place and it was just this weird world where I was just trying to find my place in the industry.
“The idea was founded there and it grew arms and legs and now we’re standing here.”
His family organised a party to watch the ceremony in the early hours of the morning in Scotland.
His mum Linda said: “It’s incredible. We are all absolutely ecstatic – we cannot believe it. We all watched it on a big screen surrounded by friends and family. We were screaming and crying when they read out Snooze. Blair’s sister was so overwhelmed she couldn’t even speak.
“He wanted us all to enjoy it, so video called us from the limo, at the table, backstage, and at the party. It’s just not a world you ever expect to see and he wanted us to enjoy it with him. He’s so level headed and takes it all in his stride.
“When Blair said he wanted to leave school to pursue his music career, he was so determined and asked us to trust him, so we did. As academics, it’s not a world we understand – but he does. Never did we think that just five years later he’d have a Grammy in his hand, but he’s reached for his dreams and now he’s living them.
“He had a strong grounding at home, from school at Kelvinside [Academy], and from his friends who he still lives with in Edinburgh, and grew up surrounded by very eclectic musical taste and influence, and you can see that in his work. He’s so unfazed by everything.
“As a parent, you just want to equip him to handle everything, and as we say in Scotland, he just needs to ‘keep the heed’ and the sky’s the limit.”
Google MapsJenny Cunningham, who taught at Kelvinside Academy for ten years until Blair left school in 2020, said his talent was always there to see.
She said: “Blair’s flare for music shone brightly from the beginning – particularly in classical piano and choir singing.
“He always had something special. It was clear he had the potential to go far, but it wasn’t until much later that the path he’d go down became more clear. Once he found it through there was no stopping him and it’s astonishing to see what he’s achieved.
“Most young musicians doing well in the music industry would be celebrating a record deal, or getting a song out, or even selling out a gig. To win a Grammy is beyond most musicians’ wildest imaginations. It’s incredible, yet he seems to take it all in his stride. We are all extremely proud and delighted at his success. You could argue that he has already reached the top – but I am certain that he’s only just getting started.”
Dan Wyatt, rector at Kelvinside Academy, added: “There were a few tired heads in school this morning and I must admit to being one of those who stayed up later than I should have to see if Blair won.
“We are all immensely proud and I’m sure I speak for all in the Kelvinside Academy community in wishing Blair the hugest congratulations.
“Blair is a credit to himself, his family, and the school, and embodies everything that it means to be a Kelvinside pupil. Of course not all pupils can go on to win Grammy awards – but that’s not what it’s about. It’s about pursuing your passions, becoming a rounded individual, and fulfilling your potential in whatever field and to whatever level that is.
“Blair left school after S5 because that was the right path for him to achieve his goals. Others will take different paths to achieve their aims, what we do is provide them with the environment, education, and encouragement they need to achieve it.”
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