From Beyonce’s win to Chappell Roan’s callout — the best moments of the 2025 Grammys
Music’s biggest night, the Grammy Awards, was held on Sunday, and from Beyonce winning Album of the Year for the first time to The Weeknd returning to the show after five years, so much happened!
Here’s a breakdown of some of the best moments from the award ceremony.
Chappell Roan calls out record labels
Up-and-coming singer Chappell Roan won the Best New Artist award and in her signature drag-inspired makeup called out record labels for not giving artists liveable wages.
“I told myself that if I ever got to stand up here in front of the most powerful people in music, I would demand that labels and the industry profiting millions of dollars off of artists offer a liveable wage,” Roan said.
She spoke about her own experience as a minor signed by a record label and eventually dropped from that contract, leaving her unable to afford health insurance.
“We [music artists] got you, but do you got us?” she added.
Beyonce finally wins Album of the Year
Queen Bey won the top prize at music’s Grammys, taking album of the year for the first time in her career with her country record Cowboy Carter.
She triumphed over Taylor Swift, Billie Eilish and others to claim the trophy that had eluded her even as she collected more lifetime Grammys than any other artist.
“I just feel very full and very honoured. It’s been many, many years,” Beyonce said on stage.
Trevor Noah, the ceremony’s host, even acknowledged the moment in his closing speech. “We finally saw it happen everyone,” he said. “Beyonce has finally won Album of the Year.”
Beyonce also won Best Country Album, becoming the first black woman in 50 years to receive the honour. Her wins combined have made her the most decorated artist in Grammy history.
Shakira dedicates Grammy to immigrants
As the Trump administration continues its amplified crackdown on illegal immigrants in the US, Shakira dedicated her win for Best Latin Pop Album to her immigrant “brothers and sisters”.
“You are loved. You are worth it and I will always fight with you.”
According to Variety, Shakira also honoured “all of those women who work really hard every day to provide to their families.” She concluded, “You are the true She-wolves.”
Speaking of the ‘Hips Don’t Lie’ singer, as she performed on stage, Taylor Swift danced with Alicia Key’s son and it was absolutely adorable!
Doechii reminds black women that ‘anything is possible’
Newcomer Doechii became the third woman in Grammy history to win Best Rap Album, and in her acceptance speech, she took the time to honour the women who came before her.
“This category was introduced in 1989 and two women have won,” she said while accepting the award before quickly correcting herself and adding that three woman had won the award.
“Lauryn Hill, Cardi B and Doechii,” she listed.
“I know there is some black girl out there [watching], and I want to tell you that you can do it. Anything is possible. Don’t allow anybody to project any stereotypes onto you. You are exactly who you need to be where you are, and I am a testimony to that,” she said.
Kendrick Lamar wins big
Drake is probably shaking in anger right now because fellow rapper Kendrick Lamar won the awards for Record of the Year and Song of the Year for his diss-track against Drake titled ‘Not Like Us’.
To receive the honour, Lamar beat out the likes of Taylor Swift, The Beatles and Beyonce. The rapper, however, did not bring up Drake or their feud in his acceptance speeches.
The Weeknd ends Grammys boycott
The Weeknd returned to the Grammys stage five years after he announced he was boycotting the award show for its lack of diversity and vowing that he would never return.
The singer was introduced by the Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr who said, “I remember waking up to the headlines that The Weeknd called out the Academy for a lack of transparency in our awards,” Mason said.
“But you know what, criticism is okay. I heard him. I felt his conviction.”
The CEO listed ways in which expanded their membership to include more women and people of colour, USA Today reported.
Fundraising for wildfire victims
This year’s Grammy festivities were revamped to be part awards show and part fundraiser for people affected by the wildfires, which were contained on Friday after killing 29 people and displacing thousands including many musicians.
The show opened with an all-star rendition ‘I Love LA’ featuring Altadena-based band Dawes backed by John Legend, Brad Paisley, St. Vincent and Brittany Howard.
“Tonight, we decided we are not just celebrating our favourite music. We are also celebrating the city that brought us so much of that music,” said host Noah, who directed viewers to donation options throughout the show.
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