Diaa Bekheet | Washington, DC –  On Sunday night, Esperanza Spalding made history at the 53rd annual Grammy Awards, becoming the first-ever jazz artist to win “Best New Artist” of the year.

The 26-year-old singer upset the popular teen heart throb Justin Bieber, along with rapper Drake, Mumford & Sons and Florence and the Machine.

“I take this honor to heart so sincerely and I’ll do my damndest to make a whole lot of great music for all of you,” she said after receiving the prestigious award. “It’s such a blessing and an honor. God bless.”

This isn’t the first time Esperanza Spalding has made headlines.  President Barack Obama invited her to the White House, where she gave a live performance in 2009.

While her Grammy has inspired her fans, it also provoked supporters of Justin Bieber – “Beliebers” as they are known – to hack into her Wikipedia page and write in unpleasant remarks about her victory. One read, Esperanza won “even though no one has heard of her.”

Spalding released three albums since 2006. The latest, Chamber Music Society,  was released last year. Esperanza Spalding has won the Grammy award for “Best New Artist”

For more, listen to Jazz America on VOA

Diaa Bekheet