Beyoncé won the album of the year for “Cowboy Carter,” an album that explores the Black roots of country music, at the 2025 Grammys held in Los Angeles on Sunday night.
“I just feel very full and very honored,” Beyoncé said in her acceptance speech. “It’s been many, many years,” the singer, who was the most nominated artist of the night with 11 nods, added.
Though the American singer is the most awarded singer in Grammy history, she never won the top prize of the night until today. Beyoncé had previously lost four times for albums including “Lemonade.”
She took home other awards too — for best country album for “Cowboy Carter” and best country duo for “II Most Wanted” which she recorded with pop star Miley Cyrus.
“Sometimes the genre is just a code word to put us in our place as artists,” Beyoncé said, referring to her genre-defying attempt with “Cowboy Carter.” The singer also announced a new tour, after having postponed the announcement because of the LA fires.
The 67th edition of the Grammys took place in the aftermath of LA fires and put a spotlight on first responders as well as included a component to raise money for fire relief efforts.
Clean sweep for Kendrick Lamar It was also rapper Kendrick Lamar’s night, who won in all five categories in which he was nominated.
His song “Not Like Us” — a “diss track” against his rap rival Drake — won the prizes for record of the year, song of the year, best rap song, best rap performance and best music video.
Lamar dedicated his triumph to Los Angeles.
“This is my neck of the woods that’s held me down since I was a young pup,” the influential hip-hop artist said, adding “we are going to restore the city.”
Kendrick Lamar poses in the press room during the 67th Annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles.Image: Mike Blake/REUTERSImage: Mario Anzuoni/REUTERSImage: Daniel Cole/REUTERS Other big winners Breakout singer Chappell Roan scooped up the prize for best new artist.
While receiving her award, Roan called on record labels to pay musicians a living wage with healthcare perks.
She recalled feeling “dehumanized” to not have health insurance.
“Labels – we got you, but do you got us?” the artist asked.
Sabrina Carpenter took the title of best pop solo performance for her hit “Espresso” while Doechii’s “Alligator Bites Never Heal” clinched the prize for best rap album.
The Weeknd returns to Grammys Sunday’s star-studded ceremony also saw Canadian artist The Weeknd putting an end to his boycott of the Grammys as he gave a surprise performance midway.
The Weeknd had earlier denounced Grammy voters for what he claimed was a lack of transparency and a failure to recognize hip-hop and R&B musicians properly.
The voting body of the Grammys now comprises younger people and 40% people of color.
“We have listened, we have acted and we have changed,” Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. said on Sunday.
dvv/rm (AP, AFP, Reuters)
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