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| Beyoncé stunsin a promotional image for her "Cowboy Carter" tour, which she announced just a day before making history at the 2025 Grammy Awards Sunday. The singer became the first Black woman to win Best Country Album and finally secured her long-awaited Album of the Year win for "Cowboy Carter." (Photo: Beyoncé via X) |
Beyoncé shattered barriers once again at the 67th Annual Grammy Awards, winning Album of the Year for "Cowboy Carter"— her long-awaited victory in a category that had eluded her four previous times. The win, announced Sunday night at Crypto.com Arena, made her the first Black woman in 26 years to take home the Grammy's top prize, a feat last achieved by Lauryn Hill for "The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill" in 1999.
"I just feel very full and very honored," Beyoncé said onstage, standing beside her 13-year-old daughter, Blue Ivy Carter, as she accepted the award. "It’s been many, many years, and I just want to thank the Grammys, every songwriter, every collaborator, every producer."
Her victory capped off a historic night for Black artists, with Kendrick Lamar and Doechii also securing major wins.
Beyoncé’s 'Cowboy Carter' Breaks New Ground in Country Music
Beyoncé's history-making night began even earlier in the premiere ceremony, where she became the first Black woman in 50 years to win a country Grammy. She and Miley Cyrus took home the award for best country duo/group performance for "II Most Wanted." (The Pointer Sisters last won in a country category in 1975.) Later in the main telecast, Beyoncé made history again by becoming the first Black woman to win Best Country Album for "Cowboy Carter."
Accepting the award from Taylor Swift, Beyoncé appeared momentarily stunned.
"Wow, I really was not expecting this," she said. "I think sometimes ‘genre’ is a code word to keep us in our place as artists. I just want to encourage people to do what they’re passionate about, and to stay persistent."
Her win follows the success of "Texas Hold ‘Em," which topped the Billboard Hot 100, and her collaboration with country pioneer Linda Martell on "Spaghetti," where Martell reflects on how musical genres often serve as barriers rather than creative spaces.
The moment also came just one day after Beyoncé announced her highly anticipated "Cowboy Carter" tour, sending the BeyHive into a frenzy online.
Kendrick Lamar Reaffirms His Grammy Dominance
Kendrick Lamar continued his reign as one of hip-hop's most decorated artists, securing Record of the Year and Song of the Year for "Not Like Us." These wins bring Lamar's total Grammy count to 20, further cementing his legacy as one of rap's most critically acclaimed voices.
In his acceptance speech, Lamar paid tribute to his hometown and family: "This is for Compton, straight up... My mom and pop out there doing front flips on the couch right now. My son is six years old. Go to sleep, it's past your bedtime right now."
Doechii Makes History
Rising star Doechii made history by becoming the third woman to win Best Rap Album, securing the award for "Alligator Bites Never Heal." Her win represents a major milestone for women in hip-hop, breaking barriers in a category historically dominated by male artists.
In her emotional speech, Doechii reflected on her journey: "This is for all the little Black girls who were ever told they weren't enough. We are enough. We are more than enough."
Rapsody and Erykah Badu's Collaborative Triumph
In another significant highlight of the evening, Rapsody and Erykah Badu clinched the Best Melodic Rap Performance award for their collaboration "3:AM." This victory marked Rapsody's inaugural Grammy win and Badu's first in two decades, underscoring their enduring influence in the music industry.
A Night of Legacy: Quincy Jones Tribute Brings Star-Studded Lineup
The Recording Academy also paid tribute to the legendary Quincy Jones, who died in November 2024 at age 91. The segment featured performances by Stevie Wonder, Will Smith, Janelle Monáe, and Herbie Hancock, celebrating Jones’ groundbreaking contributions to music.
The tribute included "Fly Me to the Moon," "Let the Good Times Roll," and "We Are the World," the 1985 charity single produced by Jones.
"He taught us that life is a feast, and you don’t stop ‘til you get enough," Smith said, referencing Jones’ collaborations with Michael Jackson.
