The 2025 Grammy Awards delivered an unforgettable night of performances, surprises, and long-overdue wins. From Taylor Swift fans eagerly awaiting a “Reputation (Taylor’s Version)” announcement to Cynthia Erivo’s show-stopping performance, the ceremony had something for everyone. Hosted by comedian Trevor Noah for the fifth time, the event balanced humor, heartfelt tributes, and calls to action, particularly for Los Angeles fire relief efforts.
A Night of Stellar Performances
Kicking off the evening, Billie Eilish and FINNEAS performed “BIRDS OF A FEATHER” from Eilish’s album Hit Me Hard and Soft. Sabrina Carpenter followed with an electrifying performance of her biggest hits before securing the Best Pop Vocal Album award for Short n’ Sweet. Raye captivated audiences with her stunning vocals, while Benson Boone impressed with a Simone Biles-style backflip during his performance. Cynthia Erivo’s breathtaking rendition of “Fly Me to the Moon” was another highlight of the night.
Doechii, a past performer at Brown University’s Spring Weekend, also made waves with a dynamic performance of “CATFISH” and “DENIAL IS A RIVER.” Later, she took home Best Rap Album for Alligator Bites Never Heal, making history as only the third woman to ever win in the category.
The Big Wins
Beyoncé finally broke the Recording Academy’s pattern of overlooking her for the night’s top honor. Cowboy Carter won Album of the Year, marking her first victory in the category after multiple losses with Renaissance (2023), Lemonade (2017), Beyoncé (2015), and I Am… Sasha Fierce (2010). While online discussions split over whether Cowboy Carter’s popularity outshined its competitors, many celebrated her achievement.
The night also saw Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” win both Song of the Year and Record of the Year, reinforcing its cultural impact. Chappell Roan secured Best New Artist, a category that also featured strong contenders like Sabrina Carpenter and Benson Boone.
Industry Challenges Take Center Stage
Beyond the glitz and glamour, the night wasn’t without serious moments. Roan, in her acceptance speech, addressed concerns over record label mistreatment. Her words resonated across the industry, shedding light on the ongoing challenges faced by artists.
A Tribute to a Legend
One of the night’s most emotional moments came in the tribute to Quincy Jones. Will Smith, making his first major awards show appearance since the infamous Oscars incident, acknowledged the legendary producer’s role in shaping his career. The musical tribute featured performances by Cynthia Erivo, Lainey Wilson, Jacob Collier, and Janelle Monáe, each paying homage to Jones’s groundbreaking contributions.
Major Winners
- Album of the Year: Beyoncé – Cowboy Carter
- Record of the Year: Kendrick Lamar – “Not Like Us”
- Song of the Year: Kendrick Lamar – “Not Like Us”
- Best New Artist: Chappell Roan
- Best Pop Solo Performance: Sabrina Carpenter – “Espresso”
- Best Pop Vocal Album: Sabrina Carpenter – Short n’ Sweet
- Best Pop Duo/Group Performance: Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars – “Die With a Smile”
- Best Rap Album: Doechii – Alligator Bites Never Heal
- Best Rap Performance: Kendrick Lamar – “Not Like Us”
- Best Country Album: Beyoncé – Cowboy Carter
- Best Country Solo Performance: Chris Stapleton – “It Takes a Woman”
- Best Rock Album: The Rolling Stones – Hackney Diamonds
- Best Rock Performance: The Beatles – “Now and Then”
- Best R&B Album: Chris Brown – 11:11 (Deluxe)
- Best R&B Performance: SZA – “Saturn”
A Celebration of Music and Community
Trevor Noah’s hosting balanced humor and sincerity, referencing Lady Gaga’s upcoming album Mayhem as “predicting the theme of 2025” and joking about Taylor Swift’s Eras tour being a larger travel event than Turkish hair implants. However, he also used the platform to bring attention to the devastation caused by recent California wildfires, encouraging donations for relief efforts. Despite online debates over award decisions, the 67th Grammy Awards served as a night of celebration for music, artistry, and resilience, honoring industry legends while giving recognition to emerging artists
