The month of February kicks off excitement for both American football fans and music enthusiasts this year, with the Super Bowl taking place the second Sunday of February and the Grammys lighting up a chilled February evening.
Hosted by comedian and political commentator Trevor Noah, the 67th annual Grammy Awards took place on Sunday, February 2nd. With such a stacked lineup of nominees, it was clear just how defining of a force music was in pop culture this past year, confirming that the competition was especially fierce and daunting for nominees.
While the Grammys showcase a total of 94 categories, only the 9 most acclaimed awards are presented during the televised ceremony, with the rest awarded in a pre-show event. During this so-called ‘Premiere Ceremony’, several artists became first-time Grammy winners. Charli XCX took home her first three trophies: Best Dance/Electronic Album and Best Recording Package (both for “BRAT”) and Best Dance Pop Recording for “Von Dutch”. Her undeniable cultural impact with the ‘Brat Summer’ phenomenon was acknowledged not only with multiple wins but also with an electric, hyper-remixed closing performance of “Von Dutch” and “Guess” –which even had collaborator and fellow nominee, Billie Eilish enthusiastically singing along.
Following Charli XCX’s breakout Grammy moment, Sabrina Carpenter, Doechii, and Chappell Roan also celebrated their first wins, following meteoric rises to fame. Female pop artists dominated the night, with Carpenter taking home Best Pop Solo Performance for “Espresso” and Best Pop Vocal Album for “Short n’ Sweet”, a major televised category. She later performed a classical-turned-contemporary medley of “Espresso” and “Please Please Please”, balancing precision with her signature charm, and delivering an unforgettable set that had the audience totally enamored.
Also breaking past systemic barriers is rising superstar, Doechii, who made history after winning Best Rap Album for “Alligator Bites Never Heal”. During her emotional acceptance speech, she credited her sobriety journey and faith, sending out a powerful message: “I know that there is some Black girl out there, so many Black women out there that are watching me right now and I want to tell you: You can do it. Anything is possible. Anything is possible.” Her sentiment rightfully earned a standing ovation, leaving a lasting impact on the audience and securing her place as a groundbreaking and promising artist who continues to redefine the genre.
Chappell Roan’s claim to the pop-princess-throne was further secured as she claimed the coveted Best New Artist award. Similarly to Doechii, Roan used her moment to advocate for industry change. Following the momentum that the 2024 VMAs blasted her into, she continued to stand firm on what she believes in: “I told myself if I ever won a Grammy… I would demand that labels in the industry profiting millions of dollars off of artists would offer a livable wage and health care, especially to developing artists… Labels, we got you, but do you got us?” Later on in the night, she delivered a vibrant and high energy- performance of “Pink Pony Club,” leading the crowd into a cathartic and unifying singalong, which provided a much needed moment of joy amid challenging times for Los Angeles in particular, still recovering from devastating wildfires.
While 2025 was undoubtedly a Femininomenon for the music industry, failing to mention Kendrick Lamar’s remarkably historic night would be an injustice, as he took home five trophies total, including both Record of the Year and Song of the Year. Kendrick entered the “top of his game” in the past year, and his awards at the Grammys cement this. In the next week, K-Dot will also perform at the Super Bowl (as of time of writing!) Kendrick’s triumph came in the wake of the notorious 2024 Drake vs Kendrick feud, with fans and the Recording Academy seemingly siding with Kendrick. His hit Drake-diss-track, “Not Like Us”, broke records as the most Grammy decorated rap song in history, and as he accepted his trophies, industry peers of both Kendrick and Drake could be seen mouthing the lyrics—an unspoken confirmation of his victory in the cutthroat beef. Let’s just hope Drake strikes a different cord in retaliation this time…
The Grammys are well known for their surprises. Whether it’s a special appearance or an underdog victory, fans have adapted to the whirlwind of mystery, but nothing could have prepared audiences for The Weeknd’s unexpected return. Abel (The Weeknd), has had a historically turbulent relationship with the Grammys, and after years of boycotting the awards and even stating that he is “uninterested in being a part of the Grammys, especially with their own admission of corruption for all these decades,” he finally decided to put the dagger down and accept the long overdue changes the Academy has made–specifically within the voting process–to address his (and other artists) concerns. Recording Academy CEO, Harvey Mason Jr. acknowledged and even thanked The Weeknd for sharing his past grievances just before introducing his surprise performance of “Cry For Me” and “Timeless”, signalling a new chapter for Abel and the Recording Academy’s relationship. The unexpected moment left fans in a shocking state of awe and even reignited discussions about The Weeknd’s complicated affiliation with the award show.
The high-spirited night was also marked by several heartfelt tributes. In response to the recent Los Angeles wildfires, Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars—who were fresh off of their Best Pop Duo/Group Performance win for their romantic ballad, “Die With A Smile”— delivered an emotional rendition of “California Dreamin’” to raise awareness and support for community relief efforts. The ceremony managed to raise over $9 million for wildfire recovery from just the at-home audience alone, demonstrating the power of music as a force for positive change.
Another deeply moving (and tear-jerking) moment came with a tribute to the late Quincy Jones, as performed by Janelle Monáe, Stevie Wonder, Cynthia Erivo, and other talented forces. Honoring Jones’ legacy as a 28-time Grammy winner and legendary producer, the tribute ensured that his impact on music would never be forgotten. With such an iconic discography–including several tracks off of Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” album and even Frank Sinatra’s “Fly Me to the Moon”—Quincy’s commemoration served as a reminder for his unmatched contributions and pioneerism in the industry, which visibly left the audience flooded with an overwhelming sense of nostalgia and grief.
For many artists, the Grammys serve as an appropriate platform for advocacy. In the wake of Donald Trump’s reelection, several winners used their speeches to address several polarizing and pressing social issues. For one, during her acceptance speech with Bruno Mars, Lady Gaga declared that “trans people are not invisible,”, an admirable and relevant stance to take, despite seeming so obviously true. Even Shakira, after winning her nomination for Best Latin Pop Album, dedicated her award to immigrants, stating “You are loved. You are worth it, and I will always fight with you.” Similarly, Alicia Keys, accepting the Dr. Dre Global Impact Award, spoke out against the backlash that diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives are facing, affirming that “DEI is not a threat, it’s a gift.” Specifically addressing the threat of DEI revocation and the wrongful conflation of DEI and inability, Keys’ brave stance redirected the stigma behind the mention of politics and its lingering effect on something even as sacred as music.
Of course, no Grammy night is complete without controversy, and the unveiling of Album of the Year delivered precisely that. With a stacked lineup of nominees like Charli XCX, Billie Eilish, and Taylor Swift in contention, the win ultimately went to Beyonce’s experimental country record, “Cowboy Carter”, marking her first Album of the Year win and the first time a Black woman had won the category in the 21st century, with the most recent winner being Lauryn Hill… 26 years ago. Given Beyonce’s status as the most decorated Grammy winner in history, with 35 total wins, many saw the win as long overdue, while others just dismissed it as a “pity win” to correct past snubs. Even Beyonce’s husband and long-time collaborator, Jay-Z put his two-cents in at last year’s ceremony, calling out the Recording Academy, “She has more Grammys than anyone and never won album of the year. So even by your own metrics, that doesn’t work.” The debate over whether the win was deserved (or politically motivated) ignited an inferno of opinions among fans, ensuring that the discourse would rage on long after the ceremony concluded.
In the end, the 2025 Grammys proved to be one for the books–especially when analyzing the historic wins, passionate advocacy, and countless colorful performances. Considering the elevated expectations the 2025 ceremony has set, the question still lingers: how will next year’s ceremony compare?
Well, if there’s one proverb the Grammys have forced fans to live by, it’s to expect the unexpected.
LIST OF TELEVISED CATEGORIES (& WINNERS):
BEST RAP ALBUM:
Might Delete Later – J. Cole
The Auditorium, Vol. 1 – Common & Pete Rock
**Alligator Bites Never Heal – Doechii
The Death Of Slim Shady (Coup De Grâce) – Eminem
We Don’t Trust You – Future & Metro Boomin
BEST POP VOCAL ALBUM:
**Short n’ Sweet – Sabrina Carpenter
HIT ME HARD AND SOFT – Billie Eilish
eternal sunshine – Ariana Grande
Chappell Roan The Rise And Fall Of A Midwest Princess – Chappell Roan
THE TORTURED POETS DEPARTMENT – Taylor Swift
BEST COUNTRY ALBUM:
**COWBOY CARTER – Beyoncé
F-1 Trillion – Post Malone
Deeper Well – Kacey Musgraves
Higher – Chris Stapleton
Whirlwind – Lainey Wilson
BEST NEW ARTIST:
Benson Boone
Sabrina Carpenter
Doechii
Khruangbin
RAYE
**Chappell Roan
Shaboozey
Teddy Swims
BEST LATIN POP ALBUM:
Funk Generation – Anitta
El Viaje – Luis Fonsi
GARCÍA – Kany García
**Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran – Shakira
ORQUÍDEAS – Kali Uchis
BEST POP DUO/GROUP PERFORMANCE:
- Gracie Abrams Featuring Taylor Swift
LEVII’S JEANS Beyoncé Featuring Post Malone
Guess Charli xcx & Billie Eilish
the boy is mine Ariana Grande, Brandy & Monica
**Die With A Smile Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars
RECORD OF THE YEAR:
Now And Then – The Beatles
TEXAS HOLD ‘EM – Beyoncé
Espresso – Sabrina Carpenter
360 – Charli xcx
BIRDS OF A FEATHER – Billie Eilish
**Not Like Us – Kendrick Lamar
Good Luck, Babe! – Chappell Roan
Fortnight – Taylor Swift Featuring Post Malone
SONG OF THE YEAR:
A Bar Song (Tipsy) – Shaboozey
BIRDS OF A FEATHER – Billie Eilish
Die With A Smile – Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars
Fortnight – Taylor Swift Featuring Post Malone
Good Luck, Babe! – Chappell Roan
**Not Like Us – Kendrick Lamar
Please Please Please – Sabrina Carpenter
TEXAS HOLD ‘EM – Beyonce
ALBUM OF THE YEAR:
New Blue Sun – André 3000
**COWBOY CARTER – Beyoncé
Short n’ Sweet – Sabrina Carpenter
BRAT – Charli xcx
Djesse Vol. 4 – Jacob Collier
HIT ME HARD AND SOFT – Billie Eilish
The Rise And Fall Of A Midwest Princess – Chappell Roan
THE TORTURED POETS DEPARTMENT – Taylor Swift
SOURCES:
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/03/arts/music/grammys-2025-best-worst-moments.html#
https://pitchfork.com/news/grammys-2025-performers-list-see-the-full-lineup-here/
https://variety.com/2021/music/news/the-weeknd-grammys-corrupt-rule-change-1234964939/
https://deadline.com/2025/02/shakira-dedicates-grammys-win-immigrant-brothers-sisters-1236276197/
PHOTO CREDITS:
Charli XCX Photo: Monica Schipper/Getty Images
Doechii Photo: JC Olivera / WireImage
Chappell Roan Photo: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images
Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars Photo: Valerie Macon/AFP/Getty Images
The Weeknd Photo: Amy Sussman/Getty Images
Beyonce Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images
Kendrick Lamar Photo: Grammys.com
