Beyonce’s “Cowboy Carter” won the album of the year prize at the 2025 Grammy Awards on Sunday night while Kendrick Lamar’s diss track “Not Like Us” won both song and record of the year along with three other prizes.
Key Takeaways
- Beyonce, who is the awarded artist in Grammys history, had never won the album of the year prize before Sunday night.
- In her acceptance speech, Beyonce said she felt “very full and very honored” and dedicated the prize to pioneering Black country music artist Linda Martell saying: “I wanna dedicate this to Miss Martell, and I hope we just keep pushing forward, opening doors.”
- Beyonce’s album also won best country album and “II Most Wanted,” which she performed with Miley Cyrus won best country duo/group performance.
- Rapper Kendrick Lamar was the night’s biggest winner, with his diss track “Not Like Us” taking home the prizes in five categories—record of the year, song of the year, best rap performance, best rap song and best music video.
- In his acceptance speech, the Los Angeles native Lamar said “We’re going to dedicate this one to the city,” which has been devastated by the recent wildfires.
CBS via Getty Images
Who Were The Other Big Winners Of The Night?
Chappell Roan won the best new artist prize and in her acceptance speech she called out record label executives saying she told herself if she ever won a Grammy she would “demand that labels in the industry profiting millions of dollars off of artists would offer a livable wage and health care, especially developing artists.”
Sabrina Carpenter scored two wins with her song “Espresso” winning the best solo pop performance prize and album “Short n’ Sweet” winning best pop vocal album. Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars’ “Die With a Smile” won best pop duo/group performance. Charli XCX won the best dance/electronic album and the best recording package awards for “Brat” along with best dance pop recording for the song “Von Dutch.”
What Were Some Of The Big Political Statements Made At The Grammys?
Alicia Keys, who won the Dr. Dre Global Impact Award, pushed back against right wing attacks on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives in her acceptance speech. “DEI is not a threat, it’s a gift. And the more voices, the more powerful the sound. When destructive forces try to burn us down, we rise from the ashes like a phoenix,” Keys said.
During her acceptance speech, Lady Gaga spoke up for transgender people—who have been a key target of the Trump administration’s policies—saying: “Trans people are not invisible. Trans people deserve love. The queer community deserves to be lifted up. Music is love.” In her acceptance speech, Shakira, who won best Latin Pop Album prize, dedicated her award to “all of my immigrant brothers and sisters in this country. You are loved, you’re worth it and I will always fight for you.”
Big Number
35. That is the total number of Grammys won by Beyonce in her career, the most by any artist in history.
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