Grammy Awards 2025: Beyoncé finally wins best album

The Grammy Awards 2025 turned out to be a historic night for Beyoncé, who took home three Grammy Awards, including the prestigious best album award. This moment was particularly significant as it marked the first time she won the best album award after being nominated four times in the past. The recognition was for her eighth studio album, Cowboy Carter, which delves into the rich history and contributions of black artists in country music. As her name was announced, Beyoncé embraced her daughter Blue Ivy and her husband Jay-Z before gracefully walking to the stage in a stunning gold paisley dress to accept her award. In her heartfelt acceptance speech, she expressed, 'I just feel very full and very honoured. It's been many, many years. ' Beyoncé dedicated her award to Linda Martell, a trailblazer for black musicians in the country genre and the first black woman to perform solo at the Grand Ole Opry. She emphasized the importance of progress, stating, 'I hope we just keep pushing forward [and] opening doors. ' This victory comes 25 years after Beyoncé received her first Grammy nomination as part of the R&B group Destiny's Child. With a total of 35 Grammy Awards, she now holds the record for the most Grammy wins in history. Notably, her win for album of the year makes her the first black woman to achieve this honor since Lauryn Hill in 1999. Earlier in the evening, Cowboy Carter also won the Grammy for best country album, which took Beyoncé by surprise. A look of astonishment crossed her face as her name was announced. The award was presented by Taylor Swift, another artist known for her successful genre transitions. In her acceptance speech, Beyoncé expressed her gratitude, saying, 'Wow, I really was not expecting this,' and thanked 'all of the incredible country artists' who supported her. This recognition came just five months after she made history by becoming the first black woman to have a number one hit on the Hot Country Songs chart with her song Texas Hold 'Em. Although Texas Hold 'Em was nominated for record of the year, it ultimately lost to Kendrick Lamar's Not Like Us. Kendrick's song swept the awards, winning five in total, including song of the year and best music video. He dedicated his wins to his hometown of Los Angeles, which had recently faced devastating wildfires. Kendrick stated, 'We're gonna dedicate this one to the city,' highlighting the resilience of the community. The Grammy Awards also served as a fundraiser, raising over $7 million for those affected by the wildfires. Host Trevor Noah acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding the event just weeks prior due to the fires, but expressed gratitude for the heroic efforts of firefighters that allowed the show to proceed. Firefighters were honored throughout the ceremony, walking the red carpet and taking selfies with music stars. The show opened with a performance by the local band Dawes, whose members had lost their homes in the inferno, playing Randy Newman's classic song I Love LA. Billie Eilish, a native of Los Angeles, performed her Grammy-nominated hit Birds Of A Feather, expressing her love for the city. Later, Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars delivered a powerful rendition of California Dreamin', dedicated to the first responders who bravely tackled the wildfires. The night was filled with remarkable performances and emotional speeches, celebrating the resilience of the community and the power of music. Charli XCX won three awards for her album Brat, while the Beatles received recognition for best rock performance for a song created using machine learning technology. Lady Gaga used her acceptance speech to advocate for trans rights and the LGBTQ+ community, stating, 'Trans people deserve love, the queer community deserves to be lifted up. Music is love. Thank you. ' The Grammy Awards 2025 was not just a celebration of music but also a reminder of the impact artists can have in addressing important social issues.