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Grammys 2025 Recap: Beyoncé Triumphs, Kendrick Lamar Sweeps

Sujal Singh

When host Trevor Noah closed out the 67th Grammy Awards, he spoke out loud what was on everyone’s mind.

“We finally saw it happen everyone,” he said. “Beyoncé has finally won album of the year.”

2025 Grammy Winners: Beyoncé, Kendrick Lamar, Chappell Roan and more

Chappell Roan won best new artist at the 67th Grammy Awards. She opened up in her speech about her struggle to get a job and access healthcare. This happened after she was dropped from her first label during the pandemic.
Kevin Mazur/Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for The/Getty Images North America

The first album of the year win for COWBOY CARTER marks a new career-defining milestone for Beyoncé. She holds the record for being both the most nominated and most awarded artist in Grammy history. She accepted the award presented to her by Los Angeles county firefighters. She dedicated the historic win to country music pioneer Linda Martell. Beyoncé also won best country duo/group performance for her song “II Most Wanted” ft. Miley Cyrus. Earlier in the night, Bey appeared genuinely bewildered. She accepted the Grammy for best country album. This came after she was notably shut out of the Country Music Association Awards last year.

Kendrick Lamar excelled in another remarkable sweep. He took home gramophones for song of the year and record of the year. He also won best rap song, best rap performance, and best music video for “Not Like Us.” The diss track was widely considered the definitive mic drop in the rapper’s ongoing beef with Drake. It is also at the center of a legal battle Drake has waged against Universal Music Group. In his complaint, the Canadian rapper claims the label represents both him and Lamar. He argues that the label threatened his livelihood by promoting the song. Nevertheless, Lamar’s wins tonight follow a months-long victory lap. The rapper released his album GNX in November. He will headline the Super Bowl halftime show next week.

In a surprising move of the night, Academy favorites Billie Eilish and Taylor Swift didn’t win any awards. Instead, much of the focus was on rising talent. The last of the four main categories was best new artist. It represented one of the most competitive races of the ceremony. Chappell Roan performed a spectacular live version of her breakout single “Pink Pony Club” earlier in the show. After that performance, Roan secured her victory. She beat out fellow nominees Sabrina Carpenter, Shaboozey, Benson Boone, Teddy Swims, RAYE, Khruangbin and Doechii. Doechii also delivered one of the most memorable performances of the night. In Roan’s acceptance speech, the “Midwest Princess” directly criticized the music industry while advocating for livable wages for rising artists. She shared her own struggle to get a job. She also talked about accessing healthcare after being dropped from her first label during the pandemic. “It was so devastating to feel so committed to my art and feel so betrayed by the system,” she said. “Labels, we got you. But do you got us?”

Beyoncé accepts the award for best country album during the 67th Grammy Awards in Los Angeles on February 2, 2025. She won two other awards, including album of the year, for COWBOY CARTER.
Kevin Winter/Getty Images

A ceremony that focused on the Los Angeles wildfires

The wildfires that raged across Los Angeles last month brought challenges. In response, the 67th Grammy Awards focused on the spirit of the city. They highlighted the resilience of the city it calls home. The Academy’s mission appeared as soon as the show started with host Trevor Noah’s monologue. It aimed to pay tribute to both the city itself and all of those affected by the wildfires. The band Dawes performed a cover of Randy Newman’s “I Love L.A.” Taylor and Griffin Goldsmith, members of the band, lost their homes in the fires. They were supported by John Legend, Sheryl Crow, Brad Paisley, and Brittany Howard. Shortly after, LA native Eilish took the stage. Wearing a Los Angeles Dodgers hat, the 23-year-old singer performed with her brother Finneas. They had a backdrop of the Southern California mountains. They infused new meaning into their haunting, borderline-creepy love song, “Birds of a Feather.”

The 2025 Grammys focused on a message of unity. The night included political comments and broad gestures towards the new administration, particularly from women. When accepting the global impact award, Alicia Keys said “DEI is not a threat, it’s a gift.” Lady Gaga won for best pop duo/group performance alongside Bruno Mars. In her speech, she declared her support for the queer and trans community. Shakira also dedicated her win for best Latin pop album to her fellow immigrant community.

Beyoncé onstage at the 2025 GRAMMYs
Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images for The Recording Academy

The complete list of nominees and winners presented at the 67th Grammy Awards Sunday, Feb. 2, 2025, is below. Winners are noted in bold below.

Beyoncé led all artists this year with 11 nominations. She was up for album of the year for Cowboy Carter as well as song and record of the year for “Texas Hold ‘Em.” Other major nominees included Chappell Roan, Charli xcx, Sabrina Carpenter, Billie Eilish, Kendrick Lamar, Post Malone and Taylor Swift. Roan and Carpenter both received nominations for all four of the major general categories. These include album, song, and record of the year, plus best new artist.

1. Record of the Year

2. Album of the Year

3. Song of the Year

4. Best New Artist

5. Producer of the Year, Non-Classical

6. Songwriter of the Year, Non-Classical

7. Best Pop Solo Performance

8. Best Pop Duo/Group Performance

9. Best Pop Vocal Album

10. Best Dance/Electronic Recording

11. Best Pop Dance Recording

12. Best Dance/Electronic Album

13. Best Remixed Recording

14. Best Rock Performance

15. Best Metal Performance

16. Best Rock Song

17. Best Rock Album

18. Best Alternative Music Performance

19. Best Alternative Music Album

20. Best R&B Performance

21. Best Traditional R&B Performance

22. Best R&B Song

23. Best Progressive R&B Album

24. Best R&B Album

25. Best Rap Performance

26. Best Melodic Rap Performance

27. Best Rap Song

28. Best Rap Album

29. Best Spoken Word Poetry Album

30. Best Jazz Performance

31. Best Jazz Vocal Album

32. Best Jazz Instrumental Album

33. Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album

34. Best Latin Jazz Album

35. Best Alternative Jazz Album

36. Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album

37. Best Contemporary Instrumental Album

38. Best Musical Theater Album

39. Best Country Solo Performance

40. Best Country Duo/Group Performance

41. Best Country Song

42. Best Country Album

43. Best American Roots Performance

44. Best Americana Performance

45. Best American Roots Song

46. Best Americana Album

47. Best Bluegrass Album

48. Best Traditional Blues Album

49. Best Contemporary Blues Album

50. Best Folk Album

51. Best Regional Roots Music Album

52. Best Gospel Performance/Song

53. Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song

54. Best Gospel Album

55. Best Contemporary Christian Music Album

56. Best Roots Gospel Album

57. Best Latin Pop Album

58. Best Música Urbana Album

59. Best Latin Rock or Alternative Album

60. Best Música Mexicana Album (Including Tejano)

61. Best Tropical Latin Album

62. Best Global Music Performance

63. Best African Music Performance

64. Best Global Music Album

65. Best Reggae Album

66. Best New Age, Ambient or Chant Album

67. Best Children’s Music Album

68. Best Comedy Album

69. Best Audio Book, Narration and Storytelling Recording

70. Best Compilation Soundtrack For Visual Media

71. Best Score Soundtrack For Visual Media (Includes Film And Television)

72. Best Score Soundtrack for Video Games and Other Interactive Media

73. Best Song Written For Visual Media

74. Best Music Video

75. Best Music Film

76. Best Recording Package

77. Best Boxed or Special Limited Edition Package

78. Best Album Notes

79. Best Historical Album

80. Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical

81. Best Engineered Album, Classical

82. Producer Of The Year, Classical

83. Best Immersive Audio Album

84. Best Instrumental Composition

85. Best Arrangement, Instrumental or A Cappella

86. Best Arrangement, Instruments and Vocals

87. Best Orchestral Performance

88. Best Opera Recording

89. Best Choral Performance

90. Best Chamber Music/Small Ensemble Performance

91. Best Classical Instrumental Solo

92. Best Classical Solo Vocal Album

93. Best Classical Compendium

94. Best Contemporary Classical Composition

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