Beyoncé wins elusive album of the year Grammy as Kendrick Lamar cleans up with diss track

At the 2025 Grammy Awards, Beyoncé finally won the coveted Album of the Year award for her album "Cowboy Carter," securing the highest honor. As the most nominated and awarded artist in Grammy history, Beyoncé had been nominated for the award four times previously, with many feeling she had been snubbed multiple times.

Members of the Los Angeles Fire Department presented Beyoncé with the trophy. In her acceptance speech, Beyoncé said, "This has been a long, long time coming." She also dedicated the award to Linda Martell, who became the first Black woman to perform at the Grand Ole Opry, the home of country music.

"We finally got to see this moment, everybody," host Trevor Noah said, referring to the long-awaited achievement for the music industry titan. Kendrick Lamar took home two of the night’s biggest honors, winning Song of the Year and Record of the Year for his diss track, "Not Like Us." "We want to dedicate this to the city," Lamar said before paying tribute to the community in the Los Angeles area. This is the second hip-hop track to win the award, the first being Childish Gambino’s "This Is America."

The Weeknd mended his strained relationship with the Grammys by performing his new single, “Cry For Me,” and a collaboration with Playboi Carti, “Eternal,” in a surprise performance. His decision directly reflects the changes the Recording Academy has made to diversify its voting body, CEO Harvey Mason said in his introduction. The Weeknd had been openly critical of the Grammy organization, tweeting back in 2020, “The Grammys remain corrupt.” It was just one of many surprises on Sunday night.

Chappell Roan was named Best New Artist at the 2025 Grammys. She read her acceptance speech from a notebook, first addressing the other nominees. “BRAT is my best night of the year,” she said, referencing Charli XCX, as her hat fell off her head. Her speech then shifted direction. She turned her attention to major record labels and the music industry, instructing them to “provide living wages and healthcare for artists, especially developing ones.” She then described her experience being signed as a minor, being dropped, and entering the workforce with no experience and no healthcare during the COVID-19 pandemic. She demanded they treat artists like "valued employees." “Record labels, we support you, but do you support us?” she concluded.

In one of the night’s most heartwarming moments, Taylor Swift presented Beyoncé with the Best Country Album award, honoring her groundbreaking "Cowboy Carter." “I really did not expect this. Wow,” she began. “Genre is a cruel word for artists, it confines us to our place… I’m still shocked. Thank you so much for this honor.” Beyoncé entered the night as the leading nominee. It was a little bit Wild West, a little bit West Hollywood. Chappell Roan brought her rock version of "Pink Pony Club" to the Grammys stage. She sang atop a giant pink horse, accompanied by a group of dancing clown cowboys.

The show opened with multiple references to the wildfires in the Los Angeles area that devastated the city, but also highlighted its resilience. Noah's opening monologue was dedicated to those affected by the fires, promising a show that would celebrate not only them but also "the city that has brought us so much music." The Grammys also allotted commercial time for local businesses affected by the fires. As the show neared its end, Noah announced that viewers had donated $7 million to relief efforts. On a stage designed to resemble the Los Angeles mountains, Los Angeles native Billie Eilish and her brother/collaborator Finneas performed her hit song, "Birds of a Feather." It was one of the show's many tributes to the city. “We love you, Los Angeles,” she told the audience as her performance ended. The show opened with a powerful rendition of Randy Newman’s “I Love L.A.” by Dawes, whose members were directly impacted by the Eaton fires, backed by John Legend, Brad Paisley, Sheryl Crow, Brittany Howard, and St. Vincent.

The first award given on television went to Doechii for Best Rap Album for "Crocodile Bites Never Heal." She teared up on the spot. “This award was established in 1989. There were two women who won, Lauryn Hill —” she corrected herself. “There were three women who won. Lauryn Hill, Cardi B, and Doechii.” Will Smith introduced a tribute to the late great legendary producer Quincy Jones. “In his 91 years, Q touched countless lives, but I have to say he changed my life forever,” he said. “Without Quincy Jones, you might not even know who Will Smith is.” Jones died in November at the age of 91. Led by Cynthia Erivo, with Herbie Hancock on piano, the "Wicked" star sang Frank Sinatra’s "Fly Me to the Moon." This was followed by Lenny Wilson and Jacob Collier’s “Let the Good Times Roll,” followed by Stevie Wonder and Hancock breaking out into “Blues” and “We Are the World.” For the latter, student singers from two schools that were lost due to the fires in the Los Angeles area also joined them. Then, Janelle Monáe, in a Michael Jackson-inspired sequined tuxedo, effortlessly performed "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough" and showed off her smooth moonwalk.

The Beatles’ “Now and Then,” which used artificial intelligence technology, won Best Rock Performance. Sean Lennon accepted the award on behalf of his father, John Lennon. “As far as I’m concerned, this is the greatest band that ever existed,” he said of the Beatles. “Play the Beatles for your children. I don’t think the world can forget.” Earlier, Sabrina Carpenter began her performance of her biggest hits from the past year — weaving a jazz version of “Espresso” into “Please Please Please,” with a brief reprise of “Espresso.” Most of the Best New Artist nominees participated in a medley performance: Khruangbin’s “May 9,” Benson Boone’s “Beautiful Things,” Doechii weaving “Catfish” into “Denial is a River,” Teddy Swims singing “Lose Control,” Shaboozey’s “Good News” into “Bar Song (Toby Keith),” and RAYE’s “Oscar Winning Tears.”

Shakira won Latin Pop Album for “Women Don’t Cry Anymore,” and gave a powerful, brief speech. “I want to dedicate this award to all my immigrant brothers and sisters in this country,” she said. Red Hot Chili Peppers' Anthony Kiedis and Chad Smith led the audience in a brief singalong of their hit song, "Under the Bridge," reminding the audience to “support their friends and neighbors as they rebuild their homes,” Kiedis said. They then presented Carpenter with the Best Pop Vocal Album award for "Short n' Sweet." “I really did not expect this,” she said. “This is, wow, my first Grammy, so I’m going to cry.” She has now won two awards, but the earlier one was presented at the pre-show ceremony, which many artists do not attend. Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars collaborated on a cover of "California Dreamin'." Later, SZA presented them with the Best Pop Duo/Group Performance award for their "Die With a Smile." “Trans people are not invisible… queer people should be uplifted,” Gaga said in her speech. Alicia Keys was presented with the Dr. Dre Global Impact Award. “DEI is not a threat, it’s a gift,” she said in her speech. “The more voices, the more power.”

There were numerous first-time winners, including Carpenter, Roan, Doechii, Charli XCX, Amy Allen, Mexican music star Karin Leon, French metal band Gojira, and country-folk artist Sierra Ferrell.