LOS ANGELES — Kendrick Lamar has gained file of the 12 months for his diss monitor “Not Like Us” on the 2025 Grammys.
“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 overtly crucial of the Grammys group, relationship again to 2020 when he wrote on Twitter: “The Grammys stay corrupt.”
It was simply considered 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 12 months,” 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 growing 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 “useful workers.”
“Labels, we obtained 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 largest 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 night time because the main nominee.
Slightly little bit of the wild west, a bit of 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 an enormous 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.
Host Trevor 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.
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 considered one of numerous methods the present seeks to salute the town. “We love you LA,” she advised 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 instantly 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 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 endlessly,” he stated. “You most likely 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 Instances Roll,” adopted by Stevie Surprise and Hancock busting out “Bluesette” and “We Are The World.” For the later, they have been joined by pupil 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 shiny tuxedo and an easy moonwalk.
The Beatles’ “Now and Then,” which used AI know-how, took dwelling greatest rock efficiency. Sean Lennon accepted the award on behalf of his father John Lennon. “So far as I’m involved, it’s 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 can’t afford to neglect.”
Early on, Sabrina Carpenter launched right into a medley of her largest singles of the final 12 months – a jazzy rendition of “Espresso” into “Please, Please, Please,” with a quick “Espresso” reprise.
Many of the greatest new artist nominees took half in a medley efficiency: Khruangbin with “Might 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 Track (Tipsy)” and RAYE with “Oscar Successful Tears.”
Shakira gained Latin pop album for “Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran” and gave a strong, brief speech. “I wish 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 “Below the Bridge,” reminding the group to “help their buddies and neighbors as they rebuild their lives,” stated Kiedis. Then they offered 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’m going to cry.” (She’s now gained 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 persons are not invisible. … The queer group deserves to be lifted up,” Gaga stated in her speech.
Throughout Sunday’s Premiere Ceremony, a pre-telecast present hosted by songwriter Justin Tranter, a number of the largest names in pop like Carpenter and Charli xcx gained their first Grammys, as did Música Mexicana star Carin León, French metallic band Gojira and nation people artist Sierra Ferrell.
Quickly afterward, Charli xcx additionally gained her first two Grammys, in the very best pop dance recording class for “Von Dutch” and greatest dance/digital album for “BRAT.”
Amy Allen gained the songwriter of the 12 months, non-classical, a Grammy class that has solely existed for 3 years. She is the primary lady to ever win. Tobias Jesso Jr. gained in 2023 and Theron Thomas gained in 2024.
“The kid in me … is screaming and crying and laughing on the absurdity of this second,” Allen began her speech. “We’re the engine that fuels all the music trade,” she stated of songwriters previous and current.
Ferrell gained her first Grammys for Americana efficiency, Americana roots tune, Americana album, and American roots efficiency. She pulled an acceptance speech out of scepter. “Truthfully that is type of hilarious,” she joked after returning to the stage for a 3rd time. “Yikes!” she began her fourth acceptance speech.
Veterans additionally took dwelling trophies, as did former President Jimmy Carter. He gained a posthumous Grammy Award for narrating “Final Sundays in Plains: A Centennial Celebration,” recordings from his last Sunday Faculty classes delivered at Maranatha Baptist Church in Georgia. It was his fourth Grammy win.
