The 2025 Grammys: Beyoncé’s Long-Overdue Coronation, Kendrick’s Domination, and a Night That Actually Mattered

The 67th Annual Grammy Awards had everything: history-making wins, jaw-dropping performances, and just enough drama to keep everyone talking well past their after-party champagne. Beyoncé, finally—finally—got her long-overdue Album of the Year win for Cowboy Carter, making her the first Black woman to take the prize since Lauryn Hill in ‘99.

Kendrick Lamar continued his reign, sweeping both Record and Song of the Year with Not Like Us, a victory that felt inevitable but satisfying nonetheless. His ability to deliver cultural moments rather than just music is unmatched, and this win only cemented that. Meanwhile, Chappell Roan took home Best New Artist, using her moment in the spotlight to call out the industry’s treatment of up-and-coming musicians, and Doechii became only the third woman ever to snag Best Rap Album.

The performances brought much of the same excitement. Shakira turned the Grammys into a full-blown dance party, Sabrina Carpenter reminded us all why she’s the blonde bombshell, and Charli xcx went full-throttle pop star (Happy Birthday Juuulia!).

But the show wasn’t just about wins and spectacle. The tribute to Quincy Jones—featuring Will Smith, Stevie Wonder, and Janelle Monáe—was a rare kind of moment that actually felt inviting to viewers, with Smith stepping back onto a major awards stage for the first time since that Oscars night.

In a Grammys first, the final award was presented by members of the Los Angeles County Fire Department, a nod to the devastating wildfires that had gripped the city in the weeks leading up to the show. The ceremony also raised $7 million for relief efforts, proving that, for all the self-congratulation that comes with awards season, sometimes these events can actually do something meaningful.

On the fashion front, it was the usual mix of the breathtaking, the bizarre, and the downright meme-worthy. Beyoncé went for full Texas-glam tribute, Sabrina Carpenter sparkled in a way that screamed this is my year, and Chappell Roan stayed comfortably in her campy, high-fashion cocoon. Charli xcx’s baby blue underwear ensemble was incredibly hot, while Kendrick kept it sleek and low-key—because, really, when you’re Kendrick, you don’t need to do much to make an impact.

By the time the night wrapped, the Grammys had managed to do what it does best: remind us why music is still one of the most powerful forces in culture. The wins were historic, the performances electric, and for once, the conversation wasn’t just about who got snubbed. It was about the artists who continue to shape the sound of now—and, more importantly, what’s next.