The 67th Annual Grammy Awards has officially wrapped, leaving fans and critics with plenty to tweet about. For the fifth year in a row, Trevor Noah took the stage as host, bringing his signature wit to music’s biggest night. The evening was a celebration of talent. Artists from diverse backgrounds came together to showcase their impact on the industry. As always, the competition was jam-packed, with every nominee delivering work worthy of recognition. But in the end, only a select few could take home the coveted awards. From historic wins to shocking upsets and unforgettable performances, let’s break down the biggest moments of the 2025 Grammys.
A Stellar Opening of Musical Avengers
The beloved award show opened with a heartfelt and transcendent tribute to Los Angeles, honoring the city’s resilience in the wake of the devastating wildfires that started earlier this year. Dawes’ Taylor and Griffin Goldsmith kicked off the night with a stirring rendition of “I Love L.A.” Joining them was an all-star ensemble of other music legends, including John Legend, Sheryl Crow, Brad Paisley and more. In a moment that felt like a rallying cry for hope, these “Musical Avengers” took the stage when the city needed them most—after losing over two dozen lives, 40,000 acres of land, and an estimated $250 billion in damages. This surprise opening performance set a triumphant tone that carried throughout the night. It served as a reminder of music’s ability to unite and heal. Hopefully, its impact will extend beyond the stage, TV screens, and headphones, reaching those who need it most.
The Biggest Winners: Who Took Home The Top Honors
Beyond the prestigious “Big Four” awards, many artists cemented historical moments Sunday night. With that being said, we’ll start by recognizing the most sought-after awards in the order they were delivered.
Best New Artist
The first of the highly coveted “Big Four” awards to be revealed was Best New Artist. Exceptionally talented rising stars stacked this category. With a field of strong contenders, the competition was fierce, but in the end, Chappell Roan took home the trophy. As Rolling Stone predicted, she edged out fellow breakout artists Sabrina Carpenter, Shaboozey, and Benson Boone, all of whom had remarkable years in their own right.
Though Chappell Roan has been in the music scene longer than most of her competitors, she truly exploded in 2024, making her victory feel both well-earned and inevitable. She solidified her place as a pop powerhouse with a show-stopping performance of her hit, “Pink Pony Club,” arriving on stage riding a massive pink pony in a flashy, theatrical spectacle. The performance was a vibrant homage to self-discovery and fearless individuality, perfectly encapsulating what has made her rise so special.
This was a monumental night for Chappell Roan and her fans across the globe. She cemented her status as a force in the industry and a star who’s here to stay.
Record of the Year
The second of the prestigious “Big Four” awards to be handed out was Record of the Year, and it proved to be one of the tightest and most highly anticipated races of the night. The category featured blockbuster hits, including “Texas Hold ‘Em” by Beyoncé, “Birds of a Feather” by Billie Eilish, and the song that had the entire country talking—Kendrick Lamar’s catchy diss track, “Not Like Us.”
For Beyoncé, a win would have been historic, marking her first-ever Record of the Year victory, a surprising gap in the career of the most-awarded artist in Grammy history, whose total count would continue to climb—but not in this category.
For Billie Eilish, a win would have secured her third Record of the Year trophy, further cementing her status as a defining voice of her generation. While many critics and outlets favored her track, the Recording Academy had other plans.
In the end, Kendrick Lamar took home his first-ever Record of the Year win. The award marked the beginning of a massive night for the rap icon. “Not Like Us”—a razor-sharp, infectious diss track aimed at Drake—had already become a cultural phenomenon, racking up over one billion Spotify streams in less than a year. The win solidified Kendrick’s dominance in the rap world and, unsurprisingly, sent Drake’s fans into a frenzy.
Song of the Year
Next up was Song of the Year, another competitive category filled with chart-topping, culture-shifting hits. For the second time that evening, Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” was in contention for a top honor in the “Big Four” category, and many had already pegged it as the frontrunner. Given its meteoric success—debuting at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and fueling an intense rap rivalry—fans of both Drake and Kendrick were glued to their screens in anticipation.
However, Drake fans had a glimmer of hope before the envelope was opened. Kendrick was up against Billie Eilish’s “Birds of a Feather,” a global sensation that amassed over 1.78 billion Spotify streams and dominated TikTok for months. Chappell Roan, fresh off her Best New Artist win, also had a strong chance with her emotional ballad, “Good Luck, Babe.” The song quickly became a fan favorite, racking up 1.2 billion streams in under a year.
When the winner was announced, it was Kendrick Lamar once again. His witty lyricism and cultural impact proved undeniable, securing his fifth award of the night for “Not Like Us.” The track now officially swept multiple categories, bringing home Record of the Year, Song of the Year, Best Rap Song, Best Rap Performance, and Best Music Video—a historic moment that cemented Kendrick’s dominance at Grammys 2025. It was certainly a picturesque night for the LA native Kendrick Lamar, not just because of his historic five Grammy wins, but also due to the extra efforts made throughout the evening to acknowledge and honor the city of Los Angeles during such a challenging time.
Album of the Year
The most anticipated race of the evening certainly did not disappoint. The category for Album of the Year featured a stellar lineup, with Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter, Taylor Swift’s The Tortured Poets Department, Charli XCX’s Brat, and Billie Eilish’s HIT ME HARD AND SOFT all competing for the prestigious honor. Going into the night, Cowboy Carter was widely seen as the frontrunner, but Beyoncé had never won this award before, despite her historic total of Grammy wins.
That all changed Sunday night. After first receiving a Grammy nomination back in 2000 with Destiny’s Child, Beyoncé finally claimed Album of the Year for the first time in her career. But, that wasn’t the most groundbreaking part of her victory. She didn’t just make history for herself—she made history for an entire group of people. With her first-ever foray into country music, Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter not only took the Album of the Year trophy, but she herself became the first Black woman ever to win the Best Country Album Grammy.
And the night didn’t stop there. In an unforgettable display of her legendary career, Beyoncé also claimed sole possession of the Grammy record count, now with 35 trophies to her name, further cementing her status as a musical legend and a force of nature in the timeless industry.
Heart-Wrenching Snubs
While many incredible artists secured spectacular wins at the 67th Annual Grammy Awards, a few were unfortunately left empty-handed. Billie Eilish and her brother/producer, Finneas O’Connell, went 0/7 on Grammy wins. This was a surprising outcome for a duo that has dominated the industry in recent years. They were viewed as strong candidates by many to be big the big story of the night. Some moments on the livestream captured Billie’s struggle to hold back emotions of disappointment. But, despite this, it’s safe to assume that the talented duo isn’t going anywhere. If anything, it’s likely that the already powerful and emotionally raw singer will return in the next few years. Perhaps she’ll experience a Kendrick Lamar-esque resurgence that proves her greatness.
Sabrina Carpenter, on the other hand, did manage to take some hardware home, but she also faced a tough night. Going 0/4 in the “Big Four” nominations, Sabrina’s losses didn’t define her evening. Despite not securing one of the most prestigious honors in the world, she did manage to win Best Pop Solo Performance with her hit song “Espresso.” She was also recognized for Best Pop Vocal Album with her project Short n’ Sweet. What’s truly remarkable is Sabrina’s nominations in all four major categories. Her career is still in one of its earliest years. She’s clearly on a trajectory toward stardom, as those nominations speak volumes about her future.
Grammys 2025 for a Greater Purpose: A Big Night for LA
Like every year, the 67th Annual Grammy Awards delivered a show that captivated audiences across all time zones. However, unlike other years, this ceremony carried a palpable sense of unity that deserves special mention. Listeners, artists, and producers all came together to create a night that transcended the physicality of the awards. After an unforgettable performance of “California Dreamin'” by Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars, it was announced that over $7 million had been raised for the victims of the devastating LA wildfires.
But the heartfelt moments didn’t stop there. During a moving tribute to Quincy Jones, performances led by Herbie Hancock and Stevie Wonder were accompanied by student choirs from schools that were tragically lost in the wildfires over the past month. The mere sight added an emotional layer of tribute and solidarity to the evening.
Afterward, the production hit an all-time high when Los Angeles’ fire department rolled out to announce the Album of the Year, the night’s most prestigious and anticipated award.
This year’s Grammys didn’t only showcase incredible musical talent, captivating dance routines, and showmanship. It highlighted something even more significant: the human capacity to support one another and to connect through music. It was a reminder that, regardless of genre or background, music has the power to unite and heal.
While the Grammy Awards have a long and storied history, this year’s ceremony will undoubtedly be remembered as one of the most memorable and heartfelt.
Electrifying Performances
Two of the most jaw-dropping performances in recent years were delivered by two incredibly gifted female artists: Doechii and Janelle Monáe. Both musicians hit the stage with an intense energy and enthusiasm that you could feel through the screen. They left the in-person audience and those watching behind their TV screens in awe.
Before the Best New Artist announcements, Doechii took the stage with a mesmerizing performance. She set the tone for the rest of the night. As Tyler, The Creator’s female counterpart, she showcased her quirky charm and distinctive style. It’s this style that sets her apart from the rest of the talent in her genre. For roughly three minutes, Doechii performed her hit song “Catfish,” which has garnered over 24.5 million listens on Spotify since its release on August 30th. With electrifying leg kicks, otherworldly flexibility, and an untouchable swag, she completely captivated the crowd. While she didn’t take home the Best New Artist award, Doechii undeniably stole the spotlight with one of the night’s most unforgettable performances.
That said, Doechii’s night wasn’t without another major win. She made history as the third-ever female artist to take home the Best Rap Album award for her groundbreaking project, Alligator Bites Never Heal. She joins Lauryn Hill and Cardi B, the only two other artists to accomplish such a feat. Great company to be in. This win only marks the beginning of what promises to be a remarkable career. Doechii fans can look forward to even greater things ahead.
Moving Tribute Performance to Quincy Jones
Later in the evening, Janelle Monáe paid tribute to the legendary producer Quincy Jones. Her performance is one that will be remembered for years to come. Dressed in a jacket concealing an “I Heart QJ” t-shirt, which was later ripped off to showcase the message, Monáe moonwalked across the stage to Michael Jackson’s “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough,” a track produced by the iconic Jones. If you closed your eyes, you might’ve sworn it was Michael Jackson onstage. Her movements, her energy, and the emotion she carried were absolutely captivating. The performance was so powerful that fellow musicians in the crowd couldn’t help but get out of their seats. It was clear that Monáe poured everything she had into this tribute. She honored the musical genius who left an indelible mark on the industry.
These two incredible performances didn’t simply showcase the immense talent of Doechii and Janelle Monáe. They also served as powerful reminders of the artistry and legacy that continue to shape the world of music today.
Conclusion
Another year in the books. Once again, the world has been gifted with the opportunity to celebrate incredible artists from all backgrounds and genres. Everyone may have their own preferences. However, Sunday night proved that all music, passion, talent, and love can triumph over the hardest challenges. As we look ahead, it’s exciting to imagine where the big winners of this year will go next, and what new heights they’ll reach. The future of music is in good hands. It’s bound to be an exciting journey for fans and artists alike in the coming years.
