Beyonce won the top prize at music's Grammys Awards on Sunday taking Album of the Year for the first time in her career with her country record "Cowboy Carter."
The superstar singer triumphed over Taylor Swift, Billie Eilish and others to claim the trophy that had eluded her even as she collected more lifetime Grammys than any other artist.
"I just feel very full and very honoured. It's been many many years" Beyonce said on stage on Sunday.
Rapper Kendrick Lamar claimed record of the year and song of the year for "Not Like Us" a diss track in his feud with Canadian rapper and singer Drake.
"Pink Pony Club" singer Chappell Roan was named best new artist and used her time on stage to urge record labels to pay musicians a living wage with healthcare benefits. She recalled a time when she felt "dehumanized" to not have health insurance.
"Labels - we got you but do you got us?" she said.
This year's Grammy festivities were revamped to be part awards show and part fundraiser for people affected by the wildfires which were contained on Friday after killing 29 people and displacing thousands including many musicians.
Broadcast live on CBS the show opened with an all-star rendition of "I Love LA" featuring Altadena-based band Dawes backed by John Legend Brad Paisley St. Vincent and Brittany Howard.
"Tonight we decided we are not just celebrating our favourite music. We are also celebrating the city that brought us so much of that music" said host Trevor Noah who directed viewers to donation options throughout the show.
Grammy winners are chosen by the 13000 singers songwriters producers engineers and others who make up the Recording Academy.
Congrats Album Of The Year winner - ‘COWBOY CARTER’ @beyonce #GRAMMYs pic.twitter.com/7HW4xpbghW
— Recording Academy / GRAMMYs (@RecordingAcad) February 3, 2025
Other winners
It was a clean sweep for rapper Kendrick Lamar, who won in all five categories in which he was nominated.
Album of the Year: "Cowboy Carter" - Beyonce
Record of the Year: "Not Like Us" - Kendrick Lamar
Song of the Year: "Not Li ke Us" - Kendrick Lamar, songwriter (Kendrick Lamar)
Best New Artist: Chappell Roan
Best Pop Solo Performance: "Espresso" - Sabrina Carpenter
Best Pop Duo/Group Performance: "Die with a Smile - Bruno Mars and Lady Gaga
Best Pop Vocal Album: "Short n' Sweet" - Sabrina Carpenter
Best Rap Album: "Alligator Bites Never Heal" - Doechii
Best Rap Song: "Not Like Us" - Kendrick Lamar
Best Rap Performance: "Not Like Us" - Kendrick Lamar
Best Music Video: "Not Like Us" - Kendrick Lamar
Best Dance/Electronic Album: "Brat" - Charli XCX
Best Rock Album: "Hackney Diamonds" - The Rolling Stones
Best Rock Performance: "Now and Then" - The Beatles
Best Country Album: "Cowboy Carter" - Beyonce
Best Country Solo Performance: "It Takes a Woman" - Chris Stapleton
Best Country Duo/Group Performance: "II Most Wanted" - Beyonce ft. Miley Cyrus
Best African Music Performance: "Love Me JeJe" - Tems
Kendrick Lamar won every Grammy he was nominated for "Not Like Us" ???????????????? a sweep!! Record Of The Year Best Rap Song Best Music Video Song Of The Year Best Rap PerformanceBlack History pic.twitter.com/tRLVyWlN0n
— Raquel ???????? (@SOULbeautifulme) February 3, 2025