The Grammy Awards: A Night of Unpredictable Surprises

The 67th Annual Grammy Awards, hosted on February 2, 2025, at the Crypto Arena in Los Angeles, celebrated a year’s worth of remarkable musical achievements from various artists. Hosted by Trevor Noah, the ceremony was broadcast live on CBS and streamed on Paramount+.

Prominent Awards

Beyoncé made history by winning Album of the Year, her first win in this category after years of being snubbed. It was a momentous win she was elated and honored to finally receive.

However, some disagree if she was deserving compared to other nominated albums; like Billie Eilish’s Hit Me Hard and Soft and Charlie XCX’s Brat, which were also phenomenal.

Still, Beyonce’s career has proved her a remarkable artist and it is important to respect that, rather than pinning artists against each other. She was also awarded for Best Country Album, and in her acceptance speech she emphasized the importance of following artistic passion.

Additionally, Kendrick Lamar secured five awards, which is also the number of Grammys Drake has won throughout his entire career, including Record of the Year and Song of the Year for “Not Like Us.” In his acceptance speech, he shouted out his West Side influences.

Doechii also won Best Rap Album for her mixtape, “Alligator Bites Never Heal,” making her the third woman to receive this honor. In her speech, she encouraged Black women to pursue their dreams and not let themselves be defined by stereotypes.

Important Statements

The evening featured powerful performances and statements like Lady Gaga advocating for trans rights during her performance and after being awarded Best New Artist, Chappell Roan addressed industry exploitation in her acceptance speech. There were also some performances in tribute to Quicy Jones, an esteemed composer and producer.

Excitingly, artists like Sabrina Carpenter, Doechii, Lady Gaga, and Bruno Mars, all performed with fun and whimsical elements to them.

Always Some Drama

This year’s Grammys were not without controversy, though. Bianca Censori, Kanye West’s current wife, caused some commotion with her outfit, or rather lack thereof, and Drake criticized Kendrick Lamar’s many wins.

Overall, the 2025 Grammy Awards were a night of celebration, reflection, and necessary statements highlighting the current state of the music industry. 

General Field:

• Album of the Year: Cowboy Carter – Beyoncé
• Record of the Year: “Not Like Us” – Kendrick Lamar
• Song of the Year: “Not Like Us” – Kendrick Lamar
• Best New Artist: Chappell Roan

Pop:

• Best Pop Solo Performance: “Vampire” – Olivia Rodrigo
• Best Pop Duo/Group Performance: “II Most Wanted” – Beyoncé featuring Miley Cyrus
• Best Pop Vocal Album: Short n’ Sweet – Sabrina Carpenter

Dance/Electronic:

• Best Dance/Electronic Recording: “Baby Again..” – Fred Again, Skrillex & Four Tet
• Best Dance/Electronic Music Album: Actual Life 3 (January 1 – September 9 2022) – Fred Again

Rock:

• Best Rock Performance: “Now and Then” – The Beatles
• Best Metal Performance: “72 Seasons” – Metallica
• Best Rock Song: “Now and Then” – The Beatles
• Best Rock Album: But Here We Are – Foo Fighters

Alternative:

• Best Alternative Music Performance: “The Grants” – Lana Del Rey
• Best Alternative Music Album: Did You Know That There’s a Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd – Lana Del Rey

R&B:

• Best R&B Performance: “Made for Me (Live on BET)” – Muni Long
• Best Traditional R&B Performance: “That’s You” – Lucky Daye
• Best R&B Song: “Saturn” – SZA
• Best Progressive R&B Album: So Glad to Know You – Avery*Sunshine
• Best R&B Album: 11:11 (Deluxe) – Chris Brown

Rap:

• Best Rap Performance: “Not Like Us” – Kendrick Lamar
• Best Melodic Rap Performance: “3:AM” – Rapsody and Erykah Badu
• Best Rap Song: “Not Like Us” – Kendrick Lamar
• Best Rap Album: Alligator Bites Never Heal – Doechii

Country:

• Best Country Solo Performance: “It Takes a Woman” – Chris Stapleton
• Best Country Duo/Group Performance: “II Most Wanted” – Beyoncé featuring Miley Cyrus
• Best Country Song: “It Takes a Woman” – Chris Stapleton
• Best Country Album: Cowboy Carter – Beyoncé

Jazz:

• Best Improvised Jazz Solo: “Call of the Drum” – Terri Lyne Carrington
• Best Jazz Vocal Album: Linger Awhile – Samara Joy
• Best Jazz Instrumental Album: Love and Liberation – Jazzmeia Horn
• Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album: Generation Gap Jazz Orchestra – Steven Feifke, Bijon Watson & Generation Gap Jazz Orchestra
• Best Latin Jazz Album: Fandango at the Wall in New York – Arturo O’Farrill & The Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra

Latin:

• Best Latin Pop Album: De Adentro Pa Afuera – Camilo
• Best Música Urbana Album: Mañana Será Bonito – Karol G
• Best Latin Rock or Alternative Album: Motomami – Rosalía
• Best Regional Mexican Music Album (Including Tejano): A Mis 80’s – Vicente Fernández
• Best Tropical Latin Album: Pa’lla Voy – Marc Anthony
• Best Regional Roots Music Album: Live at the 2022 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival – Ranky Tanky

Reggae:

• Best Reggae Album: Scorcha – Sean Paul

Global Music:

• Best Global Music Performance: “Bayethe” – Wouter Kellerman, Zakes Bantwini & Nomcebo Zikode
• Best Global Music Album: Sakura – Masa Takumi

Spoken Word: Best Spoken Word Poetry Album: The Poet Who Sat by the Door – J. Ivy

This year’s Grammys brought a whirlwind of emotions, blending both disappointment and excitement in equal measure. While opinions on the winners and nominees may vary widely, one thing unites us all: the anticipation that surrounds this iconic event. As we reflect on the performances and accolades, we can’t help but look forward to next year’s celebration, where we’ll once again honor the incredible talent shaping the music industry today.