LOS ANGELES — Beyoncé has received album of the yr for “Cowboy Carter” on the 2025 Grammys, delivering her – finally – the present’s elusive high award.
The celebrity, who’s each essentially the most awarded and nominated artist in Grammys historical past, has been nominated within the class 4 instances earlier than and plenty of really feel she has been snubbed by its high honors.
Members of the Los Angeles Hearth Division offered Beyoncé with the trophy.
“It’s 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 turned 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 has received music and document of the yr for his diss monitor “Not Like Us” on the 2025 Grammys, taking residence two of the evening’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 determination is a direct reflection of the modifications the Recording Academy has made to diversify its voting physique, CEO Harvey Mason jr. stated in his introduction. The Weeknd has been overtly essential of the Grammys group, courting again to 2020 when he wrote on Twitter: “The Grammys stay corrupt.”
It was simply certainly one of many nice surprises Sunday evening. 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 most effective evening 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 trade, instructing them to “provide a dwelling wage and healthcare, particularly to creating artists.” Then she described getting signed as a minor, getting dropped and getting into the workforce throughout COVID-19 with no work expertise and no well being care. She requested them to deal with artists like “helpful workers.”
“Labels, we received you, however do you bought us?” she concluded her speech. “Thanks.”
The Grammys are airing reside on CBS and Paramount+. Paramount+ with Showtime subscribers may also watch reside and on demand.
In one of many greatest moments of the night to date, Taylor Swift offered 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’m nonetheless in shock. Thanks a lot for this honor.”
Beyoncé entered the evening because the main nominee.
Slightly 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.
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 reduction efforts Sunday evening to date.
On a stage set as much as seem like 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 quite a lot of methods the present seeks to salute the town. “We love you LA,” she informed the group on the finish of the set.
The present kicked off with a strong opening efficiency of Randy Newman’s “I Love L.A.” by Dawes – whose members have been straight affected by the Eaton fireplace – backed by John Legend, Brad Paisley, Sheryl Crow, Brittany Howard and St. Vincent.
The primary televised award went to Doechii for greatest rap album for “Alligator Bites By no means Heal.”
The tears have been rapid. “This class was launched in 1989. Two girls have received, Lauryn Hill -” she stated, correcting herself. “Three girls have received. 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 endlessly,” he stated. “You in all probability wouldn’t 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 Marvel and Hancock busting out “Bluesette” and “We Are The World.” For the later, they have been joined by scholar singers from two colleges that have been misplaced within the LA-area fires.
Then, Janelle Monae with an impressed rendition of “Don’t Cease ’Til You Get Sufficient,” channeling Michael Jackson in a glittery tuxedo and an easy moonwalk.
The Beatles’ “Now and Then,” which used AI know-how, took residence greatest rock efficiency. Sean Lennon accepted the award on behalf of his father John Lennon. “So far as I’m involved, it’s the most effective band of all time,” he stated of the Beatles. “Play the Beatles’ music on your children. I really feel just like the world can’t afford to overlook.”
Early on, Sabrina Carpenter launched right into a medley of her greatest singles of the final yr – a jazzy rendition of “Espresso” into “Please, Please, Please,” with a quick “Espresso” reprise.
A lot of the greatest new artist nominees took half in a medley efficiency: Khruangbin with “Could Ninth,” Benson Boone with “Stunning Issues,” Doechii launching “Catfish” into “Denial Is a River,” Teddy Swims doing “Lose Management,” Shaboozey with “Good Information” into “A Bar Tune (Tipsy)” and RAYE with “Oscar Successful Tears.”
Shakira received Latin pop album for “Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran” and gave a strong, quick speech. “I need to dedicate this award to all my immigrant brothers and sisters on this nation,” she stated.
The Purple Scorching Chili Peppers’ Anthony Kiedis and Chad Smith led the group in a brief singalong of their hit “Underneath the Bridge,” reminding the group to “assist their pals and neighbors as they rebuild their lives,” stated Kiedis. Then they offered the most effective 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’m going to cry.” (She’s now received two, however the earlier award was handed out a pre-telecast ceremony that many artists don’t attend.)
Woman Gaga and Bruno Mars teamed up for a canopy of “California Dreamin’.” Later, SZA offered them with the award for greatest pop duo/group efficiency for “Die With A Smile.”
“Trans individuals are not invisible. … The queer neighborhood deserves to be lifted up,” Gaga stated in her speech.
Alicia Keys was awarded the Dr. Dre International Impression Award “DEI will not be a risk, it’s a present,” she stated in her speech. “The extra voices, the extra highly effective the sound.”
First time winners have been considerable. They included Carpenter, Roan, Doechii, Charli xcx, Amy Allen, Música Mexicana star Carin León, French metallic band Gojira and nation people artist Sierra Ferrell.
