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Beyoncé clinched the album of the year award for "Cowboy Carter" at the Grammys this past Sunday, finally earning the highly coveted top recognition from the show.
The superstar, who holds the record for the most awards and nominations in Grammys history, had previously been nominated in this category four times, with many believing she was overlooked for top honors. With her win for "Cowboy Carter," Beyoncé has made history as the first Black woman to earn this award in the 21st century, following Lauryn Hill's win for "The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill" 26 years ago. She joins the ranks of Natalie Cole and Whitney Houston, making her only the fourth Black woman to win album of the year at the Grammys.
The Los Angeles Fire Department members presented Beyoncé with the trophy, reflecting the recent wildfires that devastated many homes. "It’s been many, many years," Beyoncé remarked during her acceptance speech, dedicating the win to Ms. Martell, referencing Linda Martell, the first Black woman to perform at the Grand Ole Opry. "We finally saw it happen, everyone," host Trevor Noah commented, acknowledging the significant milestone for one of music's legendary figures.
Kendrick Lamar took home song and record of the year for his diss track "Not Like Us," securing two of the evening's most esteemed accolades. "We're gonna dedicate this one to the city," Lamar stated before acknowledging various neighborhoods in the Los Angeles area. This marked only the second hip-hop single ever to win in the category, with the first being Childish Gambino’s "This Is America."
The Weeknd repaired his complicated relationship with the Grammy Awards by delivering a surprise performance of his new songs, "Cry For Me" and "Timeless," alongside Playboi Carti. His actions reflect the changes made by the Recording Academy to diversify its voting members, according to CEO Harvey Mason Jr. The Weeknd has been vocal about his criticism of the Grammys since 2020 when he tweeted that they were "corrupt."
Sunday night featured several delightful surprises, including Chappell Roan winning best new artist. She gave a speech from a notebook, urging major labels and the music industry to "offer a living wage and healthcare, especially to developing artists." Roan shared her journey of being signed as a minor, facing setbacks, and entering the workforce during COVID-19 without experience or coverage, imploring the industry to treat artists as "valuable employees." "Labels, we got you," she concluded, questioning, "But do you got us?"
In a highlight of the evening, Taylor Swift awarded Beyoncé the best country album, recognizing her as the first Black woman to win in that category. "Genre is a cold word to keep us in our place as artists," Beyoncé expressed during her acceptance speech. She walked into the night as the leading nominee.
With a blend of wild west flair and West Hollywood vibes, Roan delivered an electrifying performance of "Pink Pony Club," atop a giant pink horse, accompanied by a troupe of dancing cowboy clowns.
The Grammys also spotlighted the resilience of Los Angeles as they incorporated references to the wildfires throughout the event. Noah opened the show by dedicating his remarks to those affected by the fires, ensuring a celebration not just of the music but of "the city that brought us so much of that music." The Grammys allotted ad space for local businesses impacted by the fires, and as the show approached its conclusion, Noah announced that viewers had contributed $7 million to relief efforts that evening.
Set against a backdrop resembling the mountains of Los Angeles, hometown artists Billie Eilish and her brother Finneas performed "Birds of a Feather," showcasing various elements of the show's tribute to the city. "We love you LA," Eilish expressed to the audience at the end of their performance.
The show commenced with a compelling rendition of Randy Newman's "I Love LA," performed by Dawes, who were personally affected by the Eaton fire, alongside John Legend, Brad Paisley, Sheryl Crow, Brittany Howard, and St. Vincent.
Numerous winners took home awards, including Doechii, who was awarded best rap album for "Alligator Bites Never Heal." Emotional moments ensued as she noted, "This category was introduced in 1989. Two women have won, Lauryn Hill—" before correcting herself to mention three women: Lauryn Hill, Cardi B, and Doechii.
Will Smith introduced a heartfelt tribute to the legendary producer Quincy Jones, who passed away at 91. "In his 91 years, Q touched countless lives, but I have to say he changed mine forever," he recalled. The tribute featured performances by Cynthia Erivo, Herbie Hancock, Lainey Wilson, Jacob Collier, and Stevie Wonder, culminating in a rendition of "We Are The World" involving student singers from schools affected by the LA-area fires. Janelle Monae also performed an inspired version of "Don’t Stop 'Til You Get Enough," emulating Michael Jackson's iconic moves.
The Best Rock Performance award went to The Beatles’ "Now and Then," which incorporated AI technology, with Sean Lennon accepting on behalf of his father, John Lennon. He declared, "As far as I’m concerned, it’s the best band of all time."
First-time winners included Carpenter, Roan, Doechii, Charli xcx, songwriter Amy Allen, Música Mexicana artist Carin León, French metal band Gojira, and country folk artist Sierra Ferrell.
Anthony Kiedis and Chad Smith from the Red Hot Chili Peppers led a singalong of their classic hit "Under the Bridge," urging the attendees to "support their friends and neighbors as they rebuild their lives." They then awarded Carpenter the Best Pop Vocal Album for "Short n' Sweet." "I really wasn’t expecting this," she exclaimed. "This is, woo, my first Grammy so I'm going to cry." Though she has since won two awards, the first was given out at a pre-telecast ceremony that many artists skip.
In a politically charged atmosphere, Shakira accepted the Latin Pop Album award for "Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran," delivering a powerful brief speech in which she dedicated the win to all her immigrant brothers and sisters in the country. Meanwhile, Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars collaborated on a cover of "California Dreamin’," and later SZA presented them with the award for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for "Die With A Smile."
