Beyoncé wins album of the year at the 2025 Grammys for ‘Cowboy Carter’
- Belinda Foster
- Feb 3
- 5 min read
By BELINDA FOSTER
Updated 9:44 AM EST, February 3, 2025
The 2025 Grammys have concluded, but there’s plenty to catch up on. Discover what you missed below and follow the AP’s latest coverage.
Beyoncé secured album of the year with “Cowboy Carter” at the 2025 Grammys, finally earning the show’s coveted top award.
The superstar, who holds the record as the most awarded and nominated artist in Grammys history, had been nominated in this category four times before, with many believing she had been overlooked for its highest honors.
“It’s been many, many years,” Beyoncé remarked in her speech. “I want to dedicate this to Ms. Martell,” she said, referring to Linda Martell, the first Black woman to perform at the Grand Ole Opry.
“We finally saw it happen, everyone,” host Trevor Noah commented, acknowledging the long-awaited achievement for one of music’s iconic artists.
Kendrick Lamar won song and record of the year for his diss track “Not Like Us,” claiming two of the evening’s most prestigious awards.
“We’re gonna dedicate this one to the city,” Lamar said, giving a shout-out to Los Angeles area neighborhoods.
It is only the second hip-hop single to ever win in this category. The first was Childish Gambino’s “This Is America.”
The Weeknd reconciles differences, while Chappell Roan confronts the music industry.
The Weeknd has mended his tense relationship with the Grammy Awards by unexpectedly performing his new single, “Cry For Me,” alongside “Timeless” featuring Playboi Carti.
This decision highlights the Recording Academy's efforts to expand its voting membership, as mentioned by CEO Harvey Mason jr. in his introduction. The Weeknd has been a vocal critic of the Grammys in the past, notably in 2020 when he tweeted: “The Grammys remain corrupt.”
It was one of several pleasant surprises on Sunday night. Chappell Roan was named best new artist.
She gave a speech from a notebook, addressing major labels and the music industry, urging them to “provide a living wage and healthcare, especially to emerging artists.” She shared her experience of being signed as a minor, being dropped, and entering the workforce during COVID-19 without work experience or healthcare. She called for artists to be recognized as “valuable employees.”
“Labels, we got you,” she concluded her speech. “But do you got us?”
Beyoncé and Chappell Roan bring a country vibe to the Grammys
In one of the evening's most notable moments, Taylor Swift presented the best country album award to Beyoncé, making her the first Black woman to win in this category.
“Genre is a cold word to keep us in our place as artists,” she stated in her speech. “I’m still in shock. Thank you so much for this honor.”
Beyoncé began the night as the leading nominee.
Blending the wild west with West Hollywood vibes, Roan delivered an energetic performance of her “Pink Pony Club” on the Grammy stage. Surrounded by dancing clown cowboys, she performed atop a giant pink horse.
Los Angeles on the mind
In incorporating the wildfires throughout the show, the Grammys put the spotlight on the city’s resiliency.
Noah’s opening speech was dedicated to those affected by the fires, promising a show that not only celebrates them, but one that also celebrates “the city that brought us so much of that music.” The Grammys have also allotted ad time to be used by local businesses affected by the fires.
As the show neared its end, Noah announced that viewers had contributed $7 million to relief efforts Sunday night so far.
On a stage set up to look like the mountains of Los Angeles, the LA born-and-raised Billie Eilish and her brother/collaborator Finneas performed her hit “Birds of a Feather.” It was one of a number of ways the show seeks to salute the city. “We love you LA,” she told the crowd at the end of the set.
The show kicked off with a powerful opening performance of Randy Newman’s “I Love L.A.” by Dawes — whose members were directly affected by the Eaton fire — backed by John Legend, Brad Paisley, Sheryl Crow, Brittany Howard and St. Vincent.
Star studded performances and victories
The first televised award was awarded to Doechii for best rap album for “Alligator Bites Never Heal.”
The tears flowed instantly. “This category was introduced in 1989. Two women have won, Lauryn Hill —” she corrected herself. “Three women have won. Lauryn Hill, Cardi B, and Doechii.”
Will Smith introduced a tribute to the late, great, legendary producer Quincy Jones. “In his 91 years, Q touched countless lives, but I have to say he changed mine forever,” he stated. “You probably wouldn’t even know who Will Smith was without Quincy Jones.”
Jones passed away in November at age 91. The tribute began with Cynthia Erivo, accompanied by Herbie Hancock on piano, the “Wicked” star singing Frank Sinatra’s “Fly Me to the Moon.” Lainey Wilson and Jacob Collier followed with “Let the Good Times Roll,” and then Stevie Wonder and Hancock performed “Bluesette” and “We Are The World.” For the latter, they were joined by student singers from two schools lost in the LA-area fires.
Janelle Monae delivered an inspired performance of “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough,” embodying Michael Jackson with a glittering tuxedo and a seamless moonwalk.
The Beatles’ “Now and Then,” which incorporated AI technology, won the award for best rock performance. Sean Lennon accepted the award on behalf of his father, John Lennon, stating, “As far as I’m concerned, it’s the best band of all time,” referring to the Beatles.
There were many first-time winners, including Carpenter, Roan, Doechii, Charli xcx, songwriter Amy Allen, Música Mexicana star Carin León, French metal band Gojira, and country folk artist Sierra Ferrell.
Anthony Kiedis and Chad Smith of the Red Hot Chili Peppers led the audience in a brief singalong of their hit “Under the Bridge,” encouraging everyone to “support their friends and neighbors as they rebuild their lives,” according to Kiedis. They then presented the best pop vocal album award to Carpenter for “Short n’ Sweet.”
“I really wasn’t expecting this,” she said. “This is, woo, my first Grammy so I’m going to cry.” (She’s now won two, but the earlier award was given during a pre-telecast ceremony that many artists don’t attend.) She also performed.
Winners utilize speeches to elevate marginalized communities in a tense political climate.
Shakira received the Latin pop album award for “Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran” and delivered a powerful, concise speech. “I want to dedicate this award to all my immigrant brothers and sisters in this country,” she declared.
Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars collaborated on a rendition of “California Dreamin’.” Later, SZA presented them with the award for best pop duo/group performance for “Die With A Smile.”
“Trans people are not invisible. ... The queer community deserves to be celebrated,” Gaga stated in her speech.
Alicia Keys was honored with the Dr. Dre Global Impact Award. “DEI is not a threat, it’s a gift,” she remarked in her speech, referring to diversity, equity, and inclusion programs that have been recently eliminated by the U.S. government and several major corporations.
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