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The 2025 Grammys went forward in Los Angeles, as a number of the greatest stars in music put their greatest foot ahead in efforts to lift funds for the California wildfires (and obtain a number of awards alongside the way in which).
Beyoncé made historical past as she received her first ever award for Album of the Yr, for her country-influenced album Cowboy Carter. Regardless of being the most-decorated artist in Grammys historical past, the Texas-born star had by no means received the Recording Academy’s high prize, having been snubbed 4 occasions prior to now, most famously when Adele who received for 25 over Beyoncé’s Lemonade in 2017.
Kanye West appeared decided to generate headlines of his personal as he turned up together with his spouse, Bianca Censori, who dropped her fur coat on the purple carpet to disclose she was sporting just about nothing beneath. After the couple had been seen posing for pictures, conflicting experiences emerged as to whether or not they had been “escorted out” of the ceremony. Nevertheless, it’s understood that they merely left after their purple carpet look.
As soon as the ceremony itself acquired underway, there was fierce competitors as quite a few pop heavyweights battled it out, with Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, Chappell Roan, Sabrina Carpenter, Charli XCX and Kendrick Lamar among the many nominees.
But there seemed to be a concerted effort to make sure as many artists as attainable had been recognised. Beyoncé grew to become the primary Black girl to win Greatest Nation Album – for her 2024 document Cowboy Carter – and regarded genuinely shocked as presenter Taylor Swift learn out her identify.
“I’d wish to thank all the unimaginable nation artists that accepted this album,” she mentioned, including, “We labored so onerous on it. I feel generally style is a chilly phrase to maintain us in our place as artists and I need to encourage individuals to do what they’re obsessed with and to remain persistent. I need to thank my stunning household… I’m nonetheless in shock.”
After years of being snubbed from the “Massive 4” classes, Lamar was introduced because the winner of File of the Yr together with his Drake diss observe, “Not Like Us”. Elsewhere, Chappell Roan scooped Greatest New Artist and delivered a rousing plea to document labels to supply higher help to rising musicians, whereas rapper Doechii was introduced because the third girl in historical past to win Greatest Rap Album.
The “Denial is a River” artist was a transparent viewers favorite, receiving a standing ovation for her shifting acceptance speech as she grew to become the third girl in historical past to win Greatest Rap Album.
“I put my coronary heart and soul into this mixtape,” she advised the viewers from the stage of her 2024 venture, Alligator Bites By no means Heal. “I devoted myself to sobriety, and God advised me that I might be rewarded and that he would present me simply how good it could actually get.”
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Together with her proud mom standing behind her, she concluded: “The very last thing I need to say…I do know that there’s some Black lady on the market, so many Black ladies on the market, which might be watching me proper now, and I need to inform you, you are able to do it. Something is feasible.
“Don’t enable anyone to venture any stereotypes on you, to inform you which you can’t be right here, that you just’re too darkish, or that you just’re not good sufficient, or that you just’re too dramatic, otherwise you’re too loud. You might be precisely who you could be to be proper the place you’re, and I’m an affidavit proper now. Good night time!”
Whereas the ceremony was principally politics-free, Greatest Latin Pop Album winner Shakira hit out at mass deportations underneath Donald Trump’s administration as she referenced her circle of relatives’s historical past.
“I, too, have been an immigrant who got here to this nation with a dream […] Latinos, we’re an unstoppable power. I can’t tire of combating with them and for them.”
Accepting the award for Greatest Pop Duo/Group Efficiency, Girl Gaga made a easy dedication to the trans group, who’ve been focused by Trump in current weeks: “Trans persons are not invisible,” she mentioned. “Trans individuals deserve love.”
The annual music present went forward after some reshuffling to encourage efforts to assist these affected by the devastating fires that destroyed 1000’s of houses and companies, and left 29 lifeless.
In a shifting section, footage of the fires was proven together with testimony from survivors as they wept and surveyed the wreckage of their houses and communities. Girl Gaga then joined Bruno Mars for a poignant cowl of “California Dreamin’” by the Mamas & Papas.
On social media, viewers agreed that the stay performances at this yr’s ceremony had been among the many greatest in current reminiscence. Breakthrough star RAYE – nominated for Greatest New Artist – did the UK proud with a surprising rendition of “Oscar Successful Tears”, backed by a full orchestra. Fellow Brit Charli XCX introduced her trademark Brat angle to the ceremony, performing hits “360” and “Guess” whereas accompanied onstage by actor and mannequin Julia Fox and producer The Dare.
Chart-topping Canadian artist The Weeknd made a dramatic return, years after boycotting the ceremony over its perceived snubs of his music. In the meantime, Doechii earned one other standing ovation, this time for a staggering mashup of a few of her greatest hits thus far. Later, there was a tribute to late producer and music pioneer Quincy Jones, launched by Will Smith with the legendary Herbie Hancock on the piano.
Depraved star Cynthia Erivo then serenaded audiences with a rendition of “Fly Me to the Moon” – Jones organized the music for Frank Sinatra’s iconic 1964 model of the observe. Lainey Wilson shook issues up with a rollicking model of “Let the Good Instances Roll” then launched Stevie Surprise, who performed “Bluesette” – from Jones’s 1975 album Mellow Insanity – on the harmonica whereas Hancock accompanied on the piano.
Smith – who not too long ago introduced his return to music with a brand new rap observe – recalled an encounter with Jones early on in his profession, whereas they had been working collectively on his breakthrough TV present The Contemporary Prince of Bel Air. Smith was apparently rehearsing a scene when he was known as to a gathering with the imposing determine, who was inspecting the snacks desk. Jones apparently scolded the younger actor for failing to offer higher meals for the forged and crew.
“It’s your job to care for these individuals,” he apparently advised Smith.
“I’ve accomplished all the pieces I can by my profession to stay as much as Quincy’s demand,” Smith advised the viewers.
There was the standard tear-jerking “In Memoriam” section, which pays tribute to the artists, producers, songwriters and engineers the trade misplaced over the previous yr. One Course followers had been moved to see footage of former One Course star and solo singer Liam Payne, who tragically died after falling from his lodge room balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina, final October. Marianne Faithfull, one of many main feminine artists of the Swinging Sixties, was additionally honoured, shortly after her loss of life aged 78.
Shakira returned to the stage to ship a scorching medley of “Ojos Asi” (“Eyes Like Yours”) and “BZRP Music Periods #53”, her viral 2023 diss observe aimed toward ex Gerard Pique, which she reworked right into a membership anthem onstage.
Lastly, it was time to announce the largest prize of the night time, Album of the Yr, with Beyoncé triumphing over fellow contenders Swift, Billie Eilish, Charli XCX, Jacob Collier, André 3000, Chappell Roan and Sabrina Carpenter.
“I simply really feel full and really, very honoured,” Beyoncé mentioned whereas accepting the award. “It’s been many a few years.”
She thanked the Recording Academy and those that collaborated along with her on the album. Her daughter, Blue Ivy, accompanied her on stage, whereas her husband and fellow musician Jay-Z watched proudly from the viewers. To lots of her followers, and seemingly to Beyoncé as effectively, it was higher late than by no means.
