Graduate from University of Surrey’s world-beating Tonmeister course wins fourth Grammy for engineering on Kendrick Lemar’s hit single, luther

Oli Jacobs, who graduated from Surrey’s Music and Sound Recording (Tonmeister) degree in 2014, won the prestigious award at this year’s Grammy Awards (1 February 2026) for his work as engineer and mixer on Kendrick Lamar and SZA’s “luther”. The track spent 13 consecutive weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and surpassed one billion Spotify streams in just seven months. 

Oli has previously won Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical in 2025 for Peter Gabriel’s “i/o” and two Grammys in 2023 for Harry Styles’ “Harry’s House” – Best Engineered Album, and Non-Classical Album of the Year. 

At this year’s ceremony, Jacobs was also nominated for Album of the Year twice – for Sabrina Carpenter’s “Man’s Best Friend” and Kendrick Lamar’s “GNX” – bringing his total Grammy nominations to 11. 

Now based in Los Angeles, Jacobs has become one of the most sought-after engineers in the music industry, working with artists including Taylor Swift, Doja Cat, Sabrina Carpenter, The 1975 and Sam Fender.  

Dr Russell Mason, Tonmeister Programme Director at the University of Surrey, said: 

“Oli’s fourth Grammy win is a testament to his exceptional talent. To win a Grammy for the second consecutive year puts him among an elite group in Grammy history, and it’s particularly exciting to see him working across such a diverse range of artists, from Kendrick Lamar to Peter Gabriel to Sabrina Carpenter. 

His career has real momentum now, sharp, focused and moving at pace, much like the work recognised on Kendrick Lamar’s GNX album. His success also reflects the distinctive approach of the Tonmeister degree. The course is unique e in the UK, and that difference matters. It shows what’s possible when you combine technical excellence with genuine musical artistry, which has been the foundation of our course since 1970.” 

Surrey’s Music and Sound Recording degree blends rigorous musical study with advanced investigation of audio engineering and mastery of sound recording. The course has produced numerous Grammy, Oscar, BAFTA and Emmy winners since its first cohort graduated in 1974.  

The Institute of Sound Recording within Music and Media at Surrey boasts world-class performance and recording facilities and equipment including three studios, 11 practice rooms, and 5 edit suites. The Immersive Mix Studio has been launched in 2026, featuring a Mac Pro running Pro Tools, Logic, and Reaper, an Avid S6 console, and a 9.1.4 immersive audio loudspeaker setup using ATC loudspeakers.  

Dr Mason comments:  

“We’re also immensely proud that Oli came back to Surrey in September to talk to our current students, taking time out from a mixing session in London. The students were inspired to hear from one of our graduates at the peak of his career.” 

Watch Oli’s latest interview at Surrey here - https://youtu.be/ivq-66_RI-4 

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Notes to editors 

• Dr Russell Mason is available for interview; please contact mediarelations@surrey.ac.uk to arrange 

• Find out more about the Tonmeister degree at surrey.ac.uk/undergraduate/music-and-sound-recording-tonmeister