2025 Grammy Awards: Kendrick Lamar wins big with ‘Not Like Us’, Beyoncé wins best album for ‘Cowboy Carter’! Beyoncé has finally won her first Album of the Year Grammy for Cowboy Carter, marking a historic moment in music history. At the 67th Annual Grammy Awards, the global superstar became the first Black woman this century to win the prestigious award, joining an exclusive list of legendary artists such as Lauryn Hill, Whitney Houston, and Natalie Cole.
For years, Beyoncé’s fans and the music industry at large have called out the Grammys for snubbing her in the top category, despite her consistent excellence across multiple genres. Now, with her groundbreaking country-inspired album Cowboy Carter, she has finally received the recognition many felt she long deserved.
A Long-Awaited Grammy Victory
Beyoncé has long been the most decorated artist in Grammy history, boasting a record number of wins and nominations. However, she had never won Album of the Year despite being nominated four times previously:
- I Am… Sasha Fierce (2010)
- Beyoncé (2015)
- Lemonade (2017)
- Renaissance (2023)
Many of these losses sparked controversy, especially in 2017 when Lemonade—widely considered a cultural milestone—lost to Adele’s 25. Even Adele herself expressed disbelief, dedicating her win to Beyoncé in an emotional speech.
With Cowboy Carter, Beyoncé has finally broken the curse, making her the first Black woman in 26 years to win the category. The last was Lauryn Hill in 1999 with The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill.
During her acceptance speech, Beyoncé acknowledged the significance of the moment and dedicated the award to Linda Martell, the first Black woman to perform at the Grand Ole Opry.
“It’s been many, many years. I want to dedicate this to Ms. Martell,” she said, referencing the trailblazing country artist who helped pave the way for Black women in country music.
Host Trevor Noah captured the gravity of the moment, telling the audience:
“We finally saw it happen, everyone.”
Beyoncé’s Historic Country Music Crossover
While Beyoncé has dabbled in country before—with Daddy Lessons from Lemonade—Cowboy Carter is a full-fledged country-inspired album. It represents a bold reclamation of a genre historically shaped by Black artists but largely dominated by white performers in recent decades.
The album’s lead single, Texas Hold ‘Em, topped both the Billboard Hot 100 and the Country Airplay charts, a major milestone for a Black artist in the country music industry.
Taylor Swift, another dominant force in the music industry, presented Beyoncé with the award for Best Country Album, making her the first Black woman ever to win the category. In her speech, Beyoncé commented on the barriers artists face when crossing genres.
“Genre is a cold word to keep us in our place as artists. I’m still in shock. Thank you so much for this honor,” she said.
A Night of Surprises: Other Big Grammy Moments
While Beyoncé’s win was the night’s biggest story, the 2025 Grammys were filled with other historic moments, emotional speeches, and thrilling performances.
Kendrick Lamar Wins Big with “Not Like Us”
Rapper Kendrick Lamar took home Song of the Year, Record of the Year, and Best Rap Performance for Not Like Us, a diss track aimed at Drake that took the hip-hop world by storm.
“We’re gonna dedicate this one to the city,” Lamar said, referencing his hometown of Los Angeles while shouting out local neighborhoods.
His win marks only the second time a hip-hop song has won Record of the Year, following Childish Gambino’s This Is America in 2019.
The Weeknd’s Surprise Return
The Weeknd, who had famously boycotted the Grammys after being snubbed in 2021, made a surprise appearance to perform Cry For Me and Timeless with Playboi Carti. His decision to return signals a mended relationship with the Recording Academy after years of public criticism.
Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. acknowledged that changes had been made to ensure more diversity and fairness in the voting process.
Chappell Roan’s Powerful Best New Artist Speech
Chappell Roan, the emerging pop star known for her theatrical performances, won Best New Artist and used her speech to advocate for better treatment of musicians by the industry.
Reading from a notebook, she addressed major record labels:
“Offer a living wage and healthcare, especially to developing artists.”
She shared her own struggles of being signed as a minor, getting dropped, and then having no work experience or health insurance during the pandemic.
“Labels, we got you. But do you got us?” she concluded.
Tributes, Performances, and Special Awards
The night also featured moving tributes and unforgettable performances:
- Will Smith introduced a tribute to music producer Quincy Jones, calling him the reason Smith’s career took off.
- Cynthia Erivo, Herbie Hancock, Stevie Wonder, and Janelle Monáe paid homage to music legends in a multi-genre performance, featuring classics like Fly Me to the Moon and We Are the World.
- The Beatles’ “Now and Then”, which used AI to incorporate John Lennon’s voice, won Best Rock Performance, with Lennon’s son Sean accepting the award.
- Shakira, winner of Best Latin Pop Album, dedicated her award to immigrant communities, saying:
“I want to dedicate this to all my immigrant brothers and sisters in this country.”
A Grammys Night to Remember
The 2025 Grammys weren’t just about celebrating music—they also reflected on social issues, industry reforms, and resilience. The show incorporated tributes to those affected by the devastating Los Angeles wildfires, raising over $7 million in relief funds.
Alicia Keys received the Dr. Dre Global Impact Award, using her speech to advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs that have recently been cut by corporations and the US government.
“DEI is not a threat, it’s a gift,” she stated firmly.
Complete List of Key 2025 Grammy Winners
- 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
- Best Pop Vocal Album: Short n’ Sweet – Sabrina Carpenter
- Best Country Album: Cowboy Carter – Beyoncé
- Best Rap Album: Alligator Bites Never Heal – Doechii
- Best Rock Performance: Now and Then – The Beatles
- Best Latin Pop Album: Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran – Shakira
- Best African Music Performance: Love Me JeJe – Tems
Final Thoughts: A Pivotal Year for the Grammys
The 2025 Grammy Awards will be remembered as the year Beyoncé finally won Album of the Year, the year hip-hop dominated the top categories, and the year artists used their platforms to advocate for social change.
From Kendrick Lamar’s sweeping victories to Chappell Roan’s industry call-out, the night was filled with powerful moments that reshaped the narrative of the Grammys.
As Beyoncé stood on stage, holding her long-awaited Album of the Year Grammy, it wasn’t just a win for her—it was a victory for representation, perseverance, and artistic freedom.
The Queen has finally claimed her throne.
