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Beyoncé Wins First Album of the Year Grammy, Kendrick Lamar Dominates with 5 Wins

Beyoncé finally secured her first Album of the Year Grammy on Sunday for her genre-defying Cowboy Carter, making history as the first Black woman this century to win the prestigious prize. Meanwhile, Kendrick Lamar dominated the night with a clean sweep, winning five awards, including Record of the Year and Song of the Year for his explosive diss track Not Like Us.

The 2025 Grammy Awards, held at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, celebrated a mix of established stars and rising talent. While newcomers like Chappell Roan, Charli XCX, Doechii, and Sabrina Carpenter made their mark, heavyweights Taylor Swift and Billie Eilish left empty-handed.

Beyoncé’s Historic Win
Beyoncé, already the most awarded and most nominated artist in Grammy history, dedicated her win to Linda Martell, a pioneering Black country singer featured on Cowboy Carter.

“I just feel very full and very honored,” she said, as her husband Jay-Z and daughter Blue Ivy cheered her on.

Her three wins of the night also included Best Country Album and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for her collaboration with Miley Cyrus. Accepting the country award, Beyoncé reflected on the barriers she faced:

“Sometimes genre is a code word to keep us in our place as artists,” she said, urging musicians to follow their passion and break boundaries.

Kendrick Lamar Sweeps Major Categories

Lamar, known for his lyrical depth and cultural impact, won all five categories he was nominated for, cementing his influence in hip-hop. Not Like Us, a fiery track targeting rap rival Drake, became an anthem, smashing streaming records and dominating charts.

“Nothing is more powerful than rap music. We are the culture,” Lamar said while accepting Song of the Year.

He dedicated his Record of the Year award to his hometown Los Angeles, still recovering from devastating wildfires.

Big Wins for Rising Stars

  • Chappell Roan took home Best New Artist, reflecting on her struggles after being dropped by her label. In her speech, she called for better treatment of artists, demanding livable wages and healthcare from record labels.
  • Doechii became just the third woman to win Best Rap Album, with Cardi B – the second-ever female winner – presenting her the award. “Anything is possible,” Doechii said, addressing Black women and girls.
  • Sabrina Carpenter secured Best Pop Vocal Album, following a dazzling, Old Hollywood-style performance.
  • Shakira won Best Latin Pop Album and delivered an electrifying set featuring both classic hits and new tracks.
  • Charli XCX won three Grammys, including Best Dance/Electronic Album, before closing the night with a high-energy performance.

A Tribute to Los Angeles

The Grammys also served as a tribute to LA, honouring firefighters and first responders battling the region’s devastating wildfires. Stevie Wonder led a moving rendition of We Are the World alongside students who lost their schools.

Host Trevor Noah announced that $7 million had been raised for relief efforts, while Billie Eilish, wearing an LA Dodgers cap, performed her hit Birds of a Feather and declared, “I love you, LA.”

With historic wins, breakout moments, and heartfelt tributes, the 2025 Grammys were a celebration of music’s power to break barriers, uplift communities, and shape culture.

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