University of Surrey graduate wins fourth Grammy for work on Kendrick Lamar's record-breaking hit
Oli Jacobs recognised for engineering and mixing on 'luther' by Kendrick Lamar and SZA
A University of Surrey graduate has been awarded the Grammy for Record of the Year for his role in engineering and mixing Kendrick Lamar and SZA's chart-topping single, “luther”.
Oli Jacobs, who completed Surrey’s Music and Sound Recording (Tonmeister) course in 2014, received the prestigious prize at the Grammy Awards on 1st February 2026.
The track, from Kendrick Lamar’s album GNX, has set notable records, including 13 consecutive weeks topping the Billboard Hot 100 chart and over one billion streams on Spotify within seven months of its release.
Jacobs has previously earned three Grammy Awards, including Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical for Peter Gabriel’s "i/o" in 2025 and two Grammys in 2023 for his work on Harry Styles’ "Harry’s House".
At this year’s ceremony, Jacobs was also nominated for Album of the Year twice – for his contributions to Sabrina Carpenter’s "Man’s Best Friend" and Lamar’s "GNX" album. His Grammy nominations now total 11, highlighting his ongoing success in the music industry.
Surrey’s Tonmeister programme and its legacy
Jacobs is one of many graduates from the University of Surrey’s renowned Music and Sound Recording degree to achieve global recognition.
The Tonmeister course, established in 1970, is unique within the UK and combines rigorous musical study with advanced audio engineering techniques. Alumni of the programme have gone on to win Grammy, Oscar, BAFTA, and Emmy Awards.
Dr Russell Mason, Programme Director for the Tonmeister degree, said:
“Oli’s fourth Grammy win is a testament to his exceptional talent. To win a Grammy for the second consecutive year places him among an elite group in Grammy history.
His success also reflects the distinctive approach of the Tonmeister degree. The course balances technical excellence with genuine musical artistry, which has been the foundation of our programme for decades.”
Surrey’s Institute of Sound Recording boasts world-class facilities, including three studios, 11 practice rooms, five edit suites, and the recently launched Immersive Mix Studio, which features cutting-edge equipment such as an Avid S6 console and a 9.1.4 immersive audio loudspeaker setup.
Inspiring the next generation
Oli Jacobs continues to influence aspiring audio engineers, returning to Surrey in September 2025 to share insights from his career with current students.
Dr Mason said:
“We’re immensely proud that Oli came back to Surrey to speak to our students, despite his busy schedule. His journey is inspiring as he works with diverse artists, from Kendrick Lamar to Peter Gabriel to Sabrina Carpenter.”
Now based in Los Angeles, Jacobs collaborates with notable artists, including Taylor Swift, Doja Cat, The 1975, and Sam Fender, cementing his status as one of the industry's top audio engineers.