Beyoncé has won album of the year for “Cowboy Carter” at the 2025 Grammys, delivering her — at last — the show’s elusive top award.
The superstar, who is both the most awarded and nominated artist in Grammys history, has been nominated in the category four times before and many feel she has been snubbed by its top honors.
Members of the Los Angeles Fire Department presented Beyoncé with the trophy.
“It’s been many, many years,” Beyoncé said in her speech. “I want to dedicate this to Ms. Martell,” she said, referencing Linda Martell, the performer who became the first Black woman to play the Grand Ole Opry.
“We finally saw it happen, everyone,” host Trevor Noah said, nodding to the long overdue achievement for one of music’s transcendent artists.
Kendrick Lamar has won song and record of the year for his diss track “Not Like Us” at the 2025 Grammys, taking home two of the night’s top honors.
“We’re gonna dedicate this one to the city,” Lamar said before shouting out Los Angeles area neighborhoods.
It is the second hip-hop single to ever win in the category. The first was Childish Gambino’s “This Is America.”
The Weeknd has mended his fractious relationship with the Grammy Awards with a surprise performance of his new single, “Cry For Me” and “Timeless” with Playboi Carti.
His decision is a direct reflection of the changes the Recording Academy has made to diversify its voting body, CEO Harvey Mason jr. said in his introduction. The Weeknd has been openly critical of the Grammys organization, dating back to 2020 when he wrote on Twitter: “The Grammys remain corrupt.”
It was just one of many pleasant surprises Sunday night. Chappell Roan was named best new artist at the 2025 Grammys.
She read a speech from a notebook, beginning by addressing her fellow nominees. “BRAT was the best night of my life this year,” she said, as her hat fell off her head, referencing Charli xcx.
Then her speech changed course. She directed her attention to major labels and the music industry, instructing them to “offer a living wage and healthcare, especially to developing artists.” Then she described getting signed as a minor, getting dropped and entering the workforce during COVID-19 with no work experience and no health care. She asked them to treat artists like “valuable employees.”
“Labels, we got you, but do you got us?” she concluded her speech. “Thank you.”
