Beyoncé made history once again at the 67th Grammy Awards, securing her 34th Grammy, the most ever won by any artist. The singer looked visibly shocked as her album Cowboy Carter was announced as the Best Country Album—a landmark moment for both her career and the genre itself.
Adding to the significance of the occasion, the award was presented by Taylor Swift, a fellow artist who successfully transitioned between musical genres. Notably, Swift was also a strong contender for the evening’s most prestigious award, Album of the Year.
“Wow, I really was not expecting this,” Beyoncé said in her acceptance speech, expressing gratitude to the country music artists who voted for her. Her victory came just five months after she was snubbed at the Country Music Awards, despite making history as the first Black woman to top the Hot Country Songs chart with Texas Hold ’Em.
Kendrick Lamar Dominates with Five Wins
While Texas Hold ’Em was nominated for Record of the Year, the award ultimately went to Kendrick Lamar for Not Like Us. The track, which served as the decisive blow in Lamar’s long-running feud with Drake, swept all five categories it was nominated for, including Song of the Year, Best Rap Song, and Best Music Video.
This marked only the second time a hip-hop track had ever won Record of the Year, following Childish Gambino’s This Is America in 2019. However, Lamar downplayed the personal achievement, instead dedicating his award to his hometown of Los Angeles, which had recently suffered devastating wildfires.
“We’re gonna dedicate this one to the city,” he said. “Compton, Long Beach, Inglewood, Hollywood, out to the Valley… this is my neck of the woods that held me down since a young pup.”
Honouring Firefighters and Raising Millions for Wildfire Victims
This year’s Grammy Awards, held at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, also served as a fundraiser for those affected by the recent wildfires. By the end of the evening, the event had raised over $7 million (£5.7 million). The show opened with Dawes, a local band whose homes were destroyed in the fires, performing Randy Newman’s I Love LA. Later, Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars delivered an emotional rendition of California Dreamin’, dedicating the song to the firefighters who battled the crisis.
Host Trevor Noah acknowledged the challenges leading up to the event, saying, “Just a few weeks ago, we weren’t sure this show would even happen. Thankfully, due to the heroic efforts of firefighters, the fires have now been contained. Despite all the devastation, the spirit of this city has shone through.”
Several firefighters were invited to attend the ceremony and walk the red carpet, taking selfies with some of the biggest names in music.
Beyoncé Leads Nominations, Still Chasing Album of the Year
Beyoncé entered the night with 11 nominations, making her the most-nominated artist once again. While she has more Grammys than anyone in history (now 34 in total), she has never won Album of the Year. Her victory in the Best Country Album category solidifies her as a front-runner for the top prize, but competition is fierce. Taylor Swift, a four-time Album of the Year winner, remains a strong contender, alongside Billie Eilish, who delivered a heartfelt performance of her nominated track Birds of a Feather, set against a backdrop of California’s natural beauty.
British pop star Charli XCX is also in the running with Brat, which has already won Best Dance/Pop Album. Meanwhile, Sabrina Carpenter has emerged as another strong competitor, having claimed Best Pop Vocal Album for Short ’n’ Sweet and Best Pop Solo Performance for her hit Espresso.
Chappell Roan and Lady Gaga Speak Out on Social Issues
Chappell Roan, who won Best New Artist, used her acceptance speech to call for better treatment of musicians, particularly those just starting their careers.
“If I ever won a Grammy and got to stand in front of the most powerful people in music, I promised myself I would demand fair wages and healthcare for artists,” she said. “Labels, we got you—but do you got us?”
Meanwhile, Lady Gaga, who won Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for Die With A Smile with Bruno Mars, spoke in defence of the LGBTQ+ community. Her speech came after President Trump signed executive orders rolling back diversity and inclusion initiatives and limiting gender recognition to only male and female categories.
“I just want to say tonight that trans people are not invisible,” Gaga said. “Trans people deserve love, the queer community deserves to be lifted up. Music is love. Thank you.”
Doechii Becomes Only the Third Woman to Win Best Rap Album
The night’s first major award—Best Rap Album—went to Florida-born artist Doechii for Alligator Bites Never Heal. She became only the third woman in Grammy history to win the category, following in the footsteps of Lauryn Hill and Cardi B.
“There are so many Black women watching me right now,” she said. “I want to tell you: you can do it. Don’t let anyone tell you you’re too dark, too dramatic, or too loud. You are exactly who you need to be. I am living proof of that. Praise God.”
A Grand Tribute to Quincy Jones
The night also paid homage to the late Quincy Jones, the legendary producer behind hits from Frank Sinatra, Michael Jackson, and Chaka Khan.
The tribute was introduced by Will Smith, marking his first televised awards appearance since his infamous Oscars altercation with Chris Rock in 2022. Smith credited Jones with launching his career, saying, “He was one of the most groundbreaking and influential figures of our times.”
The segment featured Cynthia Erivo and Herbie Hancock performing Jones’s iconic Fly Me to the Moon, followed by Stevie Wonder leading the audience in We Are the World. The finale saw Janelle Monáe deliver a dazzling performance of Don’t Stop ’Til You Get Enough, dressed in a tribute to Michael Jackson’s iconic glitter tuxedo and silver crystal ankle socks.
With inputs from agencies
Image Source: Multiple agencies
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