The 2025 Grammys marked a historic year for music’s biggest night, filled with monumental moments. Firstly there was Beyonce entering the night with 11 nominations for her album “Cowboy Carter,” becoming one of the most-nominated artists in Grammy history, winning her first album of the year award after getting shut down the last four times she was nominated, and becoming the first black woman to ever take home a golden gramphones in the Best Country Album. Then there was Kendricks Lamar’s “Not Like Us” sweeping in all five categories he was nominated in. Chappell Roan was also a big winner, taking home the award for Best New Artist. Comedian and former host of “The Daily Show” Trevor Noah returned to host the ceremony for a fifth straight year.
Billie Eilish, Kendrick Lamar, Post Malone and Charli XCX received seven nominations this year, including record of the year, song of the year, and album of the year, while Taylor Swift, Sabrina Carpenter and Chappell Roan earned six nods. Eilish, Roan, Charli XCX and Carpenter all delivered standout performances, along with a surprise appearance from The Weekend, who ended a year long boycott of the award show that he once called “corrupt.” Swift was not a performer this year, but she did present the award for Best Country Album to Beyoncé. Sierra Ferrell swept the American roots categories, winning all four of her nominations. Best New Artist nominee Doechii won Best Rap Album for Alligator Bites Never Heal, becoming the third woman to win this award after Hill (with the Fugees) in 1997 and Cardi B in 2019.
This year’s show also focused on the devastating wildfires that burned through neighborhoods in the Los Angeles area last month, killing at least 29 people. Throughout the show, Noah reminded viewers and corporate sponsors alike to donate to Los Angeles Wildfire Relief Efforts, and air time was given to local business owners who lost their establishments in the fires. A group of Los Angeles County firefighters were invited on stage to present the final award of the night and got a standing ovation from the crowd making a lot of famous artists and viewers tear up.
