Singing In Harmony: Alumnus Wins Grammy for Father-Daughter Album

Belmont alumnus FYÜTCH makes music history with 8-year-old daughter

Alumnus FYÜTCH (Music Business, ‘11) won a Grammy Award in Best Children’s Album for his 2025 release “Harmony,” a genre-blending body of work co-written with his eight-year-old daughter Aura V (the youngest Grammy winner in history). This win is a culmination of FYÜTCH’s professional journey as an artist and personal dedication as a father.  

From his earliest roots as a solo hip-hop act through his career as an educator and eventual success on the Grammy stage, FYÜTCH’s path has been one of creativity, positivity and resilience.

A Creative Formation

Originally from Gary, Indiana, FYÜTCH moved to Nashville in elementary school and dove headfirst into music. By high school his band was gaining traction, playing in major venues across town and supporting larger acts on tour. Nashville was home for FYÜTCH, so when it came time to think about college, all he had to do was go down the street to Belmont. 

“That’s where I really found my music community,” he said. During this time, he won the student Pop Showcase, released his first solo work and made connections he still values today. “A lot of the people I went to school with back then are executives now, working at places like Sony Music and Roc Nation,” FYÜTCH recalled. “It’s the friends you learn and grow with that propel you forward.” 

After Belmont, FYÜTCH went into education, teaching poetry and music production for 20 years. He describes this period as one of "finding his truth:” shifting his focus from solo artistry to leaning into his gifts as an educator. “I’m a teacher,” he said. “But it took some time to accept this role.” 

After a collaboration with Uno Dos Tres Andres, another popular educational musician, FYÜTCH took off. Within a year he was getting booked for so many live events around the country that he had to stop teaching — quickly learning that educational music didn’t just mean “simpler.” 

“I realized I didn't have to dumb down my sound, all it took was teaching on what I'm passionate about, which is Black History, Black culture and telling our stories with a hip-hop energy.”

Lightning in a Bottle

The “Harmony” album brings together a myriad of influences, from Stevie Wonder to OutKast. Despite being labeled “children’s music,” it is a sonically mature album with positive reception from listeners and critics of all ages. “The interesting thing about genres is that at every point in my career, people have told me what I was,” FYÜTCH commented. “If I had to name 'Harmony’s’ vibe, I’d just call it positive feel-good music.” 

The album digs deep into the tradition of conscious hip-hop, with its themes of social justice, community and identity. The title track sees FYÜTCH teaching Aura how to sing in harmony, before moving into a chorus about the importance of living in harmony. Wordplay like this is found all across the album.

The project took over two years to complete, with Aura being only five years old at the start. From only being able to repeat phrases and melodies at the beginning to writing entire verses herself by the end, the process followed her as she grew up. “She’s a really tough critic,” FYÜTCH laughed. “One thing about working with kids is that they give you immediate feedback, and I love it.” 

FYÜTCH is a patient artist who has been diligently honing his craft over the years leading up to his Grammy win. He describes it as an adventure, one that both challenged and formed him into the creative he is today.  

To aspiring artists he says: “Buckle up and enjoy the journey. It's an unexpected ride.”