Brooke Hunt
Staff Writer
Kendrick Lamar proved his dominance and Beyoncé received her country music flowers on Feb. 2, 2025, at the 67th annual Grammy Awards held in Los Angeles.
The event showed some of music’s greatest artists and their hard work to bring uniqueness into the music industry. Many celebrities were in attendance showing off their glamorous and unique styles.
Some of last year’s biggest hits were nominated, such as Lamar’s single “Not Like Us”, CharlXCX’sCX “Brat” album, Billie Eilish’s album “Hit Me Hard and Soft”, and Beyoncé’s “Cowboy Carter.”
The event was hosted by Comedian Trevor Noah and well-known presenters included Will Smith, Cardi B, Taylor Swift, and Diana Ross. A heartfelt tribute to the first responders of the Los Angeles fires included the local fire department chief, captain, and other members on stage.
The presenters spoke about the wildfires and the recovery process that will be underway before the Album of the Year award was given.
Beyoncé’s “Cowboy Carter” took home Album of the Year for the first time in her career and became the first black woman in history to win Best Country Album.
An African-American has only won the Grammy for Album of the year only 12 times in the award’s 66-year history.
The win was not expected by Beyoncé, as evident by the trending video of her live reaction. While live, the artist was shocked and looked around in confusion at the win. Once she got on stage she began a short speech, thanking the audience.
“Wow-I want to thank God…Oh my, That I’m able to still do what I love after so many years.” She continues- “I’d like to thank all of the incredible country artists that accepted this album we worked on…I think sometimes genre is a cold word to keep us in our place as artists and I just want to encourage people to do what they’re passionate about,” said Beyoncé.
As Beyoncé ended her speech, she confessed that she was in shock, her peers standing up and clapping proudly for her deserved win.
After that, it was just the tip of the iceberg for wins by African-Americans. The streak continued with Lamar’s “Not Like Us” winning in five different categories and being nominated in seven. He won Record of the Year, Song of the Year, Best Rap Performance, Best Music Video, and Best Rap Song.
Lamar was on a roll as he walked on stage to receive his award. The crowd sang his song with a resounding “a minor” echoing through the building.
Lamar began with a tribute to his recently passed aunt saying, “Rest in paradise, my auntie Sharon…” – “We’re gonna dedicate [“Not like us”]to the city-Compton-Watts…Long Beach Inglewood-Hollywood-Out to the Valley-Pequa…San Bernardino all that.”
Rapper Doechii came out with a bang. Winning Best Rap Album with her album “Alligator Bites Never Heal” and being nominated in two other categories. This was a big emotional night for her, during her speech, she couldn’t hold back the tears.
At the age of 26 years old, she won her first Grammy. She lit the stage up with her performances of the songs “Catfish” and “Denial Is A River.”
She had a short speech through tears, “I don’t wanna make this long, but this category was introduced in 1989, and two women have won- Lauryn Hill…THREE Women have won!” She corrected, “Lauryn Hill, Cardi B, and Doechii!”
Speaking of art, although he was not in attendance, Chris Brown was also given his flowers. The artist won Best R&B Album for his project “11:11(Deluxe)”.
It was certainly one of the most iconic moments at the Grammys that night.
For a complete list of Grammy Award winners, visit
https://www.grammy.com/news/2025-grammys-winners-performers-streaming-boosts-album-sales
