LOS ANGELES — Beyoncé wins album of the yr for “Cowboy Carter” on the 2025 Grammys for the primary time.
The famous person, who’s each probably the most awarded and nominated artist in Grammys historical past, was nominated within the class 4 occasions earlier than and plenty of really feel she has been snubbed by its high honors.
Members of the Los Angeles Hearth Division introduced Beyoncé with the trophy.
“It has been many, a few years,” Beyoncé stated in her speech. “I need to dedicate this to Ms. Martell,” she stated, referencing Linda Martell, the performer who grew to become the primary Black lady to play the Grand Ole Opry.
“We lastly noticed it occur, everybody,” host Trevor Noah stated, nodding to the lengthy overdue achievement for certainly one of music’s transcendent artists.
Kendrick Lamar gained music and file of the yr for his diss monitor “Not Like Us” on the 2025 Grammys, taking house two of the night time’s high honors.
“We’re gonna dedicate this one to the town,” Lamar stated earlier than shouting out Los Angeles space neighborhoods.
It’s the second hip-hop single to ever win within the class. The primary was Infantile Gambino’s “This Is America.”
The Weeknd has mended his fractious relationship with the Grammy Awards with a shock efficiency of his new single, “Cry For Me” and “Timeless” with Playboi Carti.
His resolution is a direct reflection of the adjustments the Recording Academy has made to diversify its voting physique, CEO Harvey Mason jr. stated in his introduction. The Weeknd has been brazenly essential of the Grammys group, relationship again to 2020 when he wrote on Twitter: “The Grammys stay corrupt.”
It was simply certainly one of many nice surprises Sunday night time. Chappell Roan was named greatest new artist on the 2025 Grammys.
She learn a speech from a pocket book, starting by addressing her fellow nominees. “BRAT was the very best night time of my life this yr,” she stated, as her hat fell off her head, referencing Charli xcx.
Then her speech modified course. She directed her consideration to main labels and the music business, instructing them to “provide a residing wage and healthcare, particularly to growing artists.” Then she described getting signed as a minor, getting dropped and coming into the workforce throughout COVID-19 with no work expertise and no well being care. She requested them to deal with artists like “priceless staff.”
“Labels, we obtained you, however do you bought us?” she concluded her speech. “Thanks.”
Beyoncé and Chappell Roan give Grammys a rustic theme
In one of many largest moments of the night to this point, Taylor Swift introduced the award for greatest nation album on the 2025 Grammys to Beyoncé for her groundbreaking “Cowboy Carter.”
“I actually was not anticipating this. Wow,” she began her speech. “Style is a chilly phrase to maintain us in our place as artists … I am nonetheless in shock. Thanks a lot for this honor.”
Beyoncé entered the night time because the main nominee.
A little bit little bit of the wild west, slightly little bit of West Hollywood. Chappell Roan introduced a rocking model of her “Pink Pony Membership” to the 2025 Grammy stage. Joined by a posse of dancing clown cowboys, she sang from atop a large pink horse.
Los Angeles on the thoughts
The present opened with a number of references to the Los Angeles-area wildfires which have devastated the town however put the highlight on the town’s resiliency.
Noah’s opening speech was devoted to these affected by the fires, promising a present that not solely celebrates them, however one which additionally celebrates “the town that introduced us a lot of that music.” The Grammys have additionally allotted advert time for use by native companies affected by the fires.
Because the present neared its finish, Noah introduced that viewers had contributed $7 million to aid efforts Sunday night time to this point.
On a stage set as much as appear to be the mountains of Los Angeles, the LA born-and-raised Billie Eilish and her brother/collaborator Finneas carried out her hit “Birds of a Feather.” It was certainly one of various methods the present seeks to salute the town. “We love you LA,” she advised the gang on the finish of the set.
The present kicked off with a robust opening efficiency of Randy Newman’s “I Love L.A.” by Dawes – whose members had been immediately affected by the Eaton hearth – backed by John Legend, Brad Paisley, Sheryl Crow, Brittany Howard and St. Vincent.
Star studded performances and victories
The primary televised award went to Doechii for greatest rap album for “Alligator Bites By no means Heal.”
The tears had been speedy. “This class was launched in 1989. Two girls have gained, Lauryn Hill -” she stated, correcting herself. “Three girls have gained. Lauryn Hill, Cardi B and Doechii.”
Will Smith launched a tribute to the late, nice, legendary producer Quincy Jones. “In his 91 years, Q touched numerous lives, however I’ve to say he modified mine without end,” he stated. “You most likely would not even know who Will Smith was with out Quincy Jones.”
Jones died in November at age 91. Kicked off by Cynthia Erivo, accompanied by Herbie Hancock on piano, the “Depraved” star sang Frank Sinatra’s “Fly Me to the Moon.” Then got here Lainey Wilson and Jacob Collier with “Let the Good Occasions Roll,” adopted by Stevie Surprise and Hancock busting out “Bluesette” and “We Are The World.” Pupil singers from two colleges that had been misplaced within the wildfires later joined them.
Janelle Monae carried out an impressed rendition of “Do not Cease ‘Til You Get Sufficient,” channeling Michael Jackson in a shiny tuxedo and an easy moonwalk.
The Beatles’ “Now and Then,” which used AI expertise, took house greatest rock efficiency. Sean Lennon accepted the award on behalf of his father John Lennon. “So far as I am involved, it is the very best band of all time,” he stated of the Beatles. “Play the Beatles’ music in your children. I really feel just like the world cannot afford to neglect.”
Early on, Sabrina Carpenter launched right into a medley of her largest singles of the final yr – a jazzy rendition of “Espresso” into “Please, Please, Please,” with a short “Espresso” reprise.
A lot of the greatest new artist nominees took half in a medley efficiency: Khruangbin with “Could Ninth,” Benson Boone with “Lovely Issues,” Doechii launching “Catfish” into “Denial Is a River,” Teddy Swims doing “Lose Management,” Shaboozey with “Good Information” into “A Bar Track (Tipsy)” and RAYE with “Oscar Profitable Tears.”
Shakira gained Latin pop album for “Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran” and gave a robust, quick speech. “I need to dedicate this award to all my immigrant brothers and sisters on this nation,” she stated.
The Crimson Scorching Chili Peppers’ Anthony Kiedis and Chad Smith led the gang in a brief singalong of their hit “Below the Bridge,” reminding the gang to “help their buddies and neighbors as they rebuild their lives,” stated Kiedis. Then they introduced the very best pop vocal album award to Carpenter for “Brief n’ Candy.”
“I actually wasn’t anticipating this,” she stated. “That is, woo, my first Grammy so I’ll cry.” (She’s now gained two, however the earlier award was handed out a pre-telecast ceremony that many artists do not attend.)
Woman Gaga and Bruno Mars teamed up for a canopy of “California Dreamin’.” Later, SZA introduced them with the award for greatest pop duo/group efficiency for “Die With A Smile.”
“Trans individuals are not invisible. … The queer group deserves to be lifted up,” Gaga stated in her speech.
Alicia Keys was awarded the Dr. Dre International Influence Award “DEI is just not a risk, it is a reward,” she stated in her speech. “The extra voices, the extra highly effective the sound.”
First time winners had been ample. They included Carpenter, Roan, Doechii, Charli xcx, Amy Allen, Música Mexicana star Carin León, French steel band Gojira and nation folks artist Sierra Ferrell.
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