Beyoncé won her first Album of the Year Grammy for “Cowboy Carter” at the 2025 awards, making her the first black woman this century to claim the honour.

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Previously snubbed, she joins Lauryn Hill, Natalie Cole, and Whitney Houston in this historic achievement.

Beyoncé has won album of the year for “Cowboy Carter” at the 2025 Grammys, delivering her – at last – the show’s elusive top award.

The superstar, who is both the most awarded and nominated artist in Grammys history, has been up for the category four times before and many feel she has been snubbed by its top honours.

In winning album of the year with “Cowboy Carter,” Beyoncé has become the first black woman to win the top prize in the 21st century.

The last was Lauryn Hill with “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill” 26 years ago.

Before her was Natalie Cole and Whitney Houston.

That means Beyoncé is only the fourth black woman to win album of the year at the Grammys.

Members of the Los Angeles Fire Department presented Beyoncé with the trophy on Sunday, one of several times the show reflected the recent wildfires that burned thousands of homes.

“It’s been many, many years,” Beyoncé said in her speech.

“I want to dedicate this to Ms. Martell,” she said, referencing Linda Martell, the performer who became the first black woman to play the Grand Ole Opry.

“We finally saw it happen, everyone,” host Trevor Noah said, nodding to the long overdue achievement for one of music’s transcendent artists.

Kendrick Lamar won song and record of the year for his diss track “Not Like Us” at the 2025 Grammys, taking home two of the night’s most prestigious awards.

“We’re gonna dedicate this one to the city,” Lamar said before shouting out Los Angeles area neighbourhoods.

It is the second hip-hop single to ever win in the category. The first was Childish Gambino’s “This Is America.”

The Weeknd has mended his fractious relationship with the Grammy Awards with a surprise performance of his new single, “Cry For Me” and “Timeless” with Playboi Carti.

His decision is a direct reflection of the changes the Recording Academy has made to diversify its voting body, CEO Harvey Mason jr. said in his introduction.

The Weeknd has been openly critical of the Grammys organisation, dating back to 2020 when he wrote on Twitter: “The Grammys remain corrupt.”

It was just one of many pleasant surprises Sunday night.

Chappell Roan was named best new artist at the 2025 Grammys.

She read a speech from a notebook, speaking directly to major labels and the music industry, instructing them to “offer a living wage and healthcare, especially to developing artists.”

She described getting signed as a minor, getting dropped and entering the workforce during COVID-19 with no work experience and no health care. She asked them to treat artists like “valuable employees.”

“Labels, we got you,” she concluded her speech.

“But do you got us?”

In one of the biggest moments of the evening so far, Taylor Swift presented the award for best country album at the 2025 Grammys to Beyoncé.

She became the first black woman to ever win in the category.

“Genre is a cold word to keep us in our place as artists,” she said in her speech.

“I’m still in shock. Thank you so much for this honour.”

Beyoncé entered the night as the leading nominee.

A little bit of the wild west, a little bit of West Hollywood. Roan brought a rocking version of her “Pink Pony Club” to the 2025 Grammy stage. Joined by a posse of dancing clown cowboys, she sang from atop a giant pink horse.

In incorporating the wildfires throughout the show, the Grammys put the spotlight on the city’s resiliency.

Noah’s opening speech was dedicated to those affected by the fires, promising a show that not only celebrates them, but one that also celebrates “the city that brought us so much of that music.”

The Grammys have also allotted ad time to be used by local businesses affected by the fires.

As the show neared its end, Noah announced that viewers had contributed $7 million to relief efforts Sunday night so far.

On a stage set up to look like the mountains of Los Angeles, the LA born-and-raised Billie Eilish and her brother/collaborator Finneas performed her hit “Birds of a Feather.”

It was one of a number of ways the show seeks to salute the city.

“We love you LA,” she told the crowd at the end of the set.

The show kicked off with a powerful opening performance of Randy Newman’s “I Love L.A.” by Dawes – whose members were directly affected by the Eaton fire – backed by John Legend, Brad Paisley, Sheryl Crow, Brittany Howard and St. Vincent.

The first televised award went to Doechii for best rap album for “Alligator Bites Never Heal.”

The tears were immediate.

“This category was introduced in 1989. Two women have won, Lauryn Hill -” she said, correcting herself.

“Three women have won. Lauryn Hill, Cardi B and Doechii.”

Will Smith introduced a tribute to the late, great, legendary producer Quincy Jones.

“In his 91 years, Q touched countless lives, but I have to say he changed mine forever,” he said.

“You probably wouldn’t even know who Will Smith was without Quincy Jones.”

Jones died in November at age 91.

Kicked off by Cynthia Erivo, accompanied by Herbie Hancock on piano, the “Wicked” star sang Frank Sinatra’s “Fly Me to the Moon.”

Then came Lainey Wilson and Jacob Collier with “Let the Good Times Roll,” followed by Stevie Wonder and Hancock busting out “Bluesette” and “We Are The World.” For the latter, they were joined by student singers from two schools that were lost in the LA-area fires.

Then, Janelle Monae with an inspired rendition of “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough,” channeling Michael Jackson in a sparkly tuxedo and an effortless moonwalk.

The Beatles’ “Now and Then,” which used AI technology, took home best rock performance. Sean Lennon accepted the award on behalf of his father John Lennon. “As far as I’m concerned, it’s the best band of all time,” he said of the Beatles.

First time winners were abundant. They included Carpenter, Roan, Doechii, Charli xcx, songwriter Amy Allen, Música Mexicana star Carin León, French metal band Gojira and country folk artist Sierra Ferrell.

The Red Hot Chili Peppers’ Anthony Kiedis and Chad Smith led the crowd in a short singalong of their hit “Under the Bridge,” reminding the crowd to “support their friends and neighbors as they rebuild their lives,” said Kiedis. Then they presented the best pop vocal album award to Carpenter for “Short n’ Sweet.”

“I really wasn’t expecting this,” she said. “This is, woo, my first Grammy so I’m going to cry.” (She’s now won two, but the earlier award was handed out a pre-telecast ceremony that many artists don’t attend.) She also performed.

Shakira won Latin pop album for “Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran” and gave a powerful, short speech. “I want to dedicate this award to all my immigrant brothers and sisters in this country,” she said.

Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars teamed up for a cover of “California Dreamin’.” Later, SZA presented them with the award for best pop duo/group performance for “Die With A Smile.”

“Trans people are not invisible. … The queer community deserves to be lifted up,” Gaga said in her speech.

Alicia Keys was awarded the Dr. Dre Global Impact Award “DEI is not a threat, it’s a gift,” she said in her speech, referencing diversity, equity and inclusion programs that have been scrapped recently by the US government and several major corporations.

Key winners at the 2025 Grammy Awards

Here is a list of winners in the major categories for the 67th annual Grammy Awards, which were handed out on Sunday in Los Angeles.

Beyonce – the most decorated artist in Grammys history – won the Album of the Year prize for the first time for her genre-defying “Cowboy Carter.”

She ended the night with three awards.

It was a clean sweep for rapper Kendrick Lamar, who won in all five categories in which he was nominated.

Album of the Year: “Cowboy Carter” – Beyonce

Record of the Year: “Not Like Us” – Kendrick Lamar

Song of the Year: “Not Like Us” – Kendrick Lamar, songwriter (Kendrick Lamar)

Best New Artist: Chappell Roan

Best Pop Solo Performance: “Espresso” – Sabrina Carpenter

Best Pop Duo/Group Performance: “Die with a Smile – Bruno Mars and Lady Gaga

Best Pop Vocal Album: “Short n’ Sweet” – Sabrina Carpenter

Best Rap Album: “Alligator Bites Never Heal” – Doechii

Best Rap Song: “Not Like Us” – Kendrick Lamar

Best Rap Performance: “Not Like Us” – Kendrick Lamar

Best Music Video: “Not Like Us” – Kendrick Lamar

Best Dance/Electronic Album: “Brat” – Charli XCX

Best Rock Album: “Hackney Diamonds” – The Rolling Stones

Best Rock Performance: “Now and Then” – The Beatles

Best Country Album: “Cowboy Carter” – Beyonce

Best Country Solo Performance: “It Takes a Woman” – Chris Stapleton

Best Country Duo/Group Performance: “II Most Wanted” – Beyonce ft. Miley Cyrus

Best African Music Performance: “Love Me JeJe” – Tems