Grammy Awards 2025: Beyoncé Breaks Records with Album of the Year Win | Entertainment & Arts News

Beyonce has secured the prestigious album of the year award at this year’s Grammy Awards.

Although she is the most nominated artist in Grammy history, Beyonce had never previously won in this highest category, having been passed over four times before.

Only three women of color had won album of the year prior to her, the last being Lauryn Hill 26 years ago.

Explore more: Complete list of Grammy 2025 winners

As she accepted the top honor for her chart-topping album Cowboy Carter, Beyonce was joined by her 13-year-old daughter, Blue Ivy Carter. She expressed feeling “honoured,” stating: “It’s been many, many years, and I want to thank the Grammys, every songwriter, every collaborator, every producer, and all the hard work.”

She dedicated her victory to Linda Martell, recognized as the first commercially successful black female artist in Country music.

The competition was fierce, featuring female artists like Charli XCX, Sabrina Carpenter, Billie Eilish, Chappell Roan, and Taylor Swift. Notable nominees also included Andre 3000 and Jacob Collier.

Earlier in the evening, a surprised Beyonce told the audience she was “still in shock” after winning the best Country album award, marking her as the first black female artist to do so.

Handed the award by Taylor Swift, the Texas-native declared: “Wow, I really was not expecting this. I thank God for allowing me to do what I love after so many years.”

She continued: “Genre is a code word to keep us artists in place, and I encourage everyone to follow their passions.”

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Highlights from the Grammy red carpet
Unforgettable Grammy moments

Beyonce has been outspoken about the lack of wins in major Grammy categories for artists of color, who, she noted, often get funneled into genre-specific categories.

Last year, her husband, rapper Jay-Z, highlighted this issue before the audience, saying, “I don’t want to embarrass this young lady, but she has more Grammys than anyone else and still hasn’t won album of the year. So even by your own metrics, that doesn’t add up.”

Beyonce later faced a snub at the Country Music Awards, despite being the first black woman to top Billboard’s country music chart with the single Texas Hold Em’ from her album.

She also made history that night by winning best country duo/group performance for II Most Wanted featuring Miley Cyrus, though she narrowly missed winning best Country song, which went to Kacey Musgraves for The Architect.

Leading up to the ceremony, Beyonce shared on social media about her upcoming tour for Cowboy Carter.

Bianca makes a bold statement on the red carpet

Before the main event, the stars graced the red carpet adorned in predominantly muted tones, reflecting the recent devastating wildfires affecting the city.

Among those adding splashes of color were Swift in a striking red, Roan in bright yellow and pale blue, while Bianca Censori transitioned from a sweeping fur coat to a much more revealing look.

Her minimalist fashion choice certainly caught the eye.

Lamar’s diss track takes center stage

Meanwhile, Kendrick Lamar was the star of the evening, winning both song and record of the year for his much-discussed diss track, Not Like Us.

The Compton native dedicated his record of the year award “to the city,” later sharing how “star-struck” he was to receive his best song award from Diana Ross.

Defying the adage that ‘if you have nothing nice to say, say nothing,’ the track won all five categories it was nominated for.

The first accolade of the ceremony, best rap album, was awarded to emerging artist Doechii for her work, Alligator Bites Never Heal. Tearfully receiving her award from Cardi B, she became only the third woman ever to win the title.

Thanks to Mum!

Best pop vocal album was awarded to Sabrina Carpenter for Short N’ Sweet. She remarked she “might cry” during her first Grammy win, thanking her mother for “driving me to every voice lesson,” while also apologizing for using “Hell” three times in her acceptance speech.

Carpenter received her award from members of the Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Anthony Kiedis and Chad Smith, who serenaded the crowd with a bit of their 1991 hit Under The Bridge as a tribute to Los Angeles.

The evening’s tone differed significantly from past events due to the destructive Los Angeles wildfires. The red carpet featured a common theme of black attire, and the event commenced with a nod to the city’s resilience.

Host Trevor Noah’s opening remarks highlighted the “entire communities burned to the ground,” adding, “it’s often said that in the darkest hours, humanity’s best shines through…tonight we are not just celebrating our favorite music, but also the city that has produced it.”

In an effort to support those affected by the tragedies, Noah revealed that advertising space has been allocated to local businesses impacted by the fires.

Chappell Roan advocates for artists

Best newcomer was awarded to Chappell Roan, who donned a large cone hat with a veil that nearly toppled as she accepted her award.

The 26-year-old performer delivered a passionate address, stating: “I promised myself that if I ever won a Grammy and stood before the industry’s giants, I’d demand labels profiting millions off artists pay them a fair wage and provide healthcare, especially for aspiring artists.”

She expressed how being signed at a young age and then dropped by her label, had left her struggling for health insurance, contributing to her feelings of “betrayal by the system and dehumanization.”

In the United States, healthcare differs significantly from the NHS in the UK, as it is not provided free at the point of delivery.

Roan concluded with the powerful question: “Record labels, treat your artists as valuable team members, providing them with a fair wage, healthcare, and protection. Labels, we’ve got you, but do you have us?”

Earlier, her Pink Pony Club performance featured a giant pony and a variety of cowboy clowns.

During the course of the three-and-a-half-hour event, Billie Eilish enchanted the audience with a hillside performance in LA, while Sabrina Carpenter brought an old-school Hollywood elegance, and British artist Raye delivered a heartfelt rendition of Oscar Winning Tears.

Charli XCX celebrated her first Grammys with wins for best dance/electronic album and best dance/pop recording, showcasing her influential Brat album, which was a summer sensation.

Honoring those we lost

Stars like Will Smith, Cynthia Erivo, Stevie Wonder, and Janelle Monáe participated in an extensive tribute to the late legendary producer Quincy Jones, featuring jazz icon Herbie Hancock on piano, along with performances of We Are The World and Thriller.

The In Memoriam segment, led by Coldplay’s Chris Martin, commenced by commemorating Liam Payne, who tragically passed away at the age of 31 after a hotel balcony fall in Argentina. The tribute also honored actress and singer Marianne Faithful, who recently passed away.