2025 GRAMMY Awards: Black Artists Break Barriers and Make Award History


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The 2025 GRAMMY Awards, held on February 2 at Los Angeles’ Crypto.com Arena, celebrated not only artistic excellence across genres but also pivotal moments in the ongoing transformation of the music industry. It was especially historic for Black artists on several fronts as artists broke new ground and celebrated long-awaited victories.

Beyoncé once again stole the show.

Beyoncé’s achievements on the night were historic: not only did she become the most-awarded GRAMMY winner ever with 35 wins, but she also became the first Black woman to take home the Best Country Album prize for her 2024 record, Cowboy Carter.  Accepting the award from Taylor Swift, she appeared genuinely surprised, admitting, “Wow, I really was not expecting this.” In her heartfelt speech, she thanked God and all the country artists who collaborated on the album. Beyoncé also challenged industry labels by saying, “I think sometimes ‘genre’ is a code word to keep us in our place as artists. And I just want to encourage people to do what they’re passionate about, and to stay persistent.” 


Later, upon winning Album of the Year for Cowboy Carter—her first win in that category after several nominations—she dedicated the honour to Linda Martell, the pioneering Black woman who first performed at the Grand Ole Opry, remarking, “It’s been many, many years. I want to dedicate this to Ms. Martell.” During the ceremony, the Los Angeles Fire Department presented her with the trophy—a symbolic moment amplified by host Trevor Noah’s remark, “We finally saw it happen, everyone.”


Tems is HER 

In another historic moment, Nigerian singer, songwriter, and producer Temilade Openiyi, known as Tems, took home the GRAMMY for Best African Music Performance for her hit “Love Me Jeje.” Held at Crypto.com Arena, the ceremony recognized Tems’ talent amid stiff competition. On stage, she expressed deep gratitude, saying, “Dear God, thank you so much for putting me on this stage and bringing me this team,” and she dedicated her award to her mother. 


And she was immediately congratulated by colleagues Ayra Starr and Davido who took to X (formerly known as Twitter) to celebrate with her. 


With this win—her second GRAMMY—Tems now holds the record for the most GRAMMYs won by any Nigerian artist. Her previous victory in 2023 for Best Melodic Rap Performance on “Wait For U” with Future and Drake further cemented her status as an influential force in music.


Additional honours included recognition for Davido and Lojay for their contributions on Chris Brown's 11:11 Deluxe, which won the Best R&B Album award. 

HIP HOP: A W for “Protest Music" Artists 

On the hip-hop side, Kendrick Lamar delivered a standout performance by sweeping every category in which he was nominated. He brought home awards for Record of the Year, Best Rap Performance, Best Rap Song, Best Music Video, and Song of the Year for “Not Like Us”—a groundbreaking diss track that became the most awarded rap song in GRAMMY history. Reflecting on his achievement, Kendrick dedicated his success to his hometown, declaring, “We’re gonna dedicate this one to the city,” while giving shout-outs to various Los Angeles neighborhoods. With 57 nominations and 22 wins over his career, he further solidified his status as one of rap’s most decorated artists.


Emerging rapper Doechii also made headlines by becoming only the third woman to win Best Rap Album for her mixtape Alligator Bites Never Heal. Presented by previous winner Cardi B, Doechii’s acceptance was a powerful moment of vulnerability and triumph. “I put my heart and soul into this mixtape—I went through so much and I dedicated myself to sobriety and God told me I would be rewarded and he would show me just how good it can get,” she said. In closing, she offered an inspiring message to Black women everywhere: “I know that there is some Black girl out there, so many Black women out there who are watching me right now, and I want to tell you, you can do it. Anything is possible. Don’t allow anybody to project any stereotypes on you, that tell you that you can’t be here, that you’re too dark or that you’re not smart enough or that you’re too dramatic or you’re too loud. You’re exactly who you need to be to be right where you are and I'm a testimony.”



Below is the complete list of the night’s winners.


THE "BIG FOUR" AWARDS


ALBUM OF THE YEAR



RECORD OF THE YEAR


SONG OF THE YEAR


BEST NEW ARTIST


POP AND DANCE

BEST POP VOCAL ALBUM


BEST POP SOLO PERFORMANCE


BEST POP DUO/GROUP PERFORMANCE


BEST DANCE/ELECTRONIC RECORDING


BEST DANCE/ELECTRONIC ALBUM

Charli XCX - Brat—WINNER

Four Tet - Three

Justice - Hyperdrama

Kaytranada - Timeless

Zedd - Telos


BEST DANCE/POP RECORDING


BEST TRADITIONAL POP VOCAL ALBUM


BEST LATIN POP ALBUM


ROCK AND METAL

BEST ROCK PERFORMANCE


BEST ROCK SONG


BEST ROCK ALBUM


BEST ALTERNATIVE MUSIC ALBUM


BEST ALTERNATIVE MUSIC PERFORMANCE


BEST METAL PERFORMANCE


RAP

BEST RAP PERFORMANCE


BEST MELODIC RAP PERFORMANCE


BEST RAP SONG


BEST RAP ALBUM




COUNTRY

BEST COUNTRY SOLO PERFORMANCE

Chris Stapleton - It Takes A Woman—WINNER

Beyoncé - 16 Carriages

Jelly Roll - I Am Not Okay

Kacey Musgraves - The Architect

Shaboozey - A Bar Song (Tipsy)


BEST COUNTRY DUO/GROUP PERFORMANCE


BEST COUNTRY SONG


BEST COUNTRY ALBUM


R&B AND AFROBEATS

BEST R&B PERFORMANCE


BEST R&B SONG


BEST PROGRESSIVE R&B ALBUM


BEST R&B ALBUM


BEST AFRICAN MUSIC PERFORMANCE


PRODUCTION AND SONGWRITING

PRODUCER OF THE YEAR, NON-CLASSICAL


SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR, NON-CLASSICAL


FILM AND TV

BEST COMEDY ALBUM


BEST COMPILATION SOUNDTRACK FOR VISUAL MEDIA


BEST SCORE SOUNDTRACK FOR VISUAL MEDIA (includes film and television)


BEST SCORE SOUNDTRACK FOR VIDEO GAMES AND OTHER INTERACTIVE MEDIA


BEST SONG WRITTEN FOR VISUAL MEDIA


BEST AUDIO BOOK NARRATION



BEST MUSIC VIDEO


BEST MUSIC FILM


JAZZ AND CLASSICAL

BEST JAZZ VOCAL ALBUM


BEST JAZZ INSTRUMENTAL ALBUM



BEST ALTERNATIVE JAZZ ALBUM



BEST JAZZ PERFORMANCE

Samara Joy feat. Sullivan Fortner – Twinkle Twinkle Little Me—WINNER

The Baylor Project – Walk With Me, Lord

Lakecia Benjamin feat. Randy Brecker, Jeff "Tain" Watts, & John Scofield – Phoenix Reimagined (Live)

Chick Corea & Béla Fleck –Juno

Dan Pugach Big Band feat. Nicole Zuraitis & Troy Roberts – Little Fears



BEST MUSICAL THEATRE ALBUM



BEST OPERA RECORDING


BEST ORCHESTRAL PERFORMANCE




Posted by Abdulazeez A Shomade | Published on 2025-02-03 04:21:29