Grammy Awards 2025: The night’s top winners and bold performances

Beyoncé, Kendrick Lamar, Sabrina Carpenter, and Chappell Roan stole the spotlight at the 2025 Grammy Awards, delivering a night filled with groundbreaking wins and unforgettable performances by both emerging talents and seasoned icons in the American music scene.

Beyoncé ventures into country music and claims Album of the Year

Defying expectations, Beyoncé dominated the 2024 music charts with Cowboy Carter, her first foray into country music, which earned her the coveted Album of the Year award. The project showcased her versatility and ability to transcend genres, proving once again why she remains a global music powerhouse. Close behind her was André Benjamin, better known as André 3000 of Outkast fame, whose surprise flute album New Blue Sun captivated critics and fans alike. Sabrina Carpenter also made waves with her album Short n’ Sweet, which has been trending on social media since its release on August 23, 2024.

Kendrick Lamar reigns supreme in hip-hop with four Grammy wins

Kendrick Lamar solidified his dominance in the hip-hop world by taking home four Grammy Awards in a single evening. His chart-topping single Not Like Us earned Record of the Year, staying at the top of the Billboard Hot Rap Songs chart for an impressive 21 consecutive weeks and debuting at number one on the Hot 100.

The song’s raw and controversial lyrics, which call out Canadian rapper Drake’s “OVO” crew for alleged inappropriate behavior and label them “certified pedophiles,” sparked heated debates in the music industry and beyond. Despite its polarizing nature, Not Like Us swept the Grammys, winning Song of the Year, Record of the Year, Best Rap Performance, Best Rap Song, and Best Music Video.

Chappell Roan’s meteoric rise earns her Best New Artist

TikTok sensation turned pop star Chappell Roan claimed the Best New Artist award, cementing her place as one of the most exciting new voices in the music industry. In an emotional acceptance speech, Roan called for systemic changes within the recording industry, including fair wages and access to health care for emerging artists.

“It was devastating to feel so committed to my art and feel so betrayed by the system and dehumanized,” she shared, addressing the struggles many young artists face. She concluded her speech with a poignant question to record labels: “Labels, we got you, but do you got us?”

A star-studded evening in Los Angeles

The 67th Annual Grammy Awards, held at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, brought together the best in music to celebrate outstanding achievements across genres. Hosted by Trevor Noah for the fifth consecutive year, the ceremony also paid tribute to achievements in stand-up comedy, further showcasing the diversity of today’s entertainment landscape.

With bold performances and powerful messages, the 2025 Grammy Awards delivered a night that will be remembered as much for its music as for its calls for change in the industry.