Grammy Awards 2025: Beyoncé Wins Best Country Album
By Juliet Vincent
A stunned expression shot across Beyoncé’s face as her latest record, Cowboy Carter, was named best country album at the 67th Grammy Awards.
In a moment laced with symbolism, the award was announced by Taylor Swift – another artist who has successfully switched genres – and who is Beyoncé’s competition for the night’s main prize, album of the year.
“Wow, I really was not expecting this,” said the star, thanking “all of the incredible country artists” who had voted for the prize.
The recognition came five months after Beyoncé was snubbed at the Country Music Awards – even after she became the first black woman to have a number one hit on the Hot Country Songs chart, with Texas Hold ‘Em.
That song was also nominated for record of the year, but lost to Kendrick Lamar’s Not Like Us.
The rap hit, which was the knock-out blow in Lamar’s long-running rap battle with Drake, scooped all five of the awards it was nominated for, including song of the year, best rap song and best music video.
It was only the second hip-hop song win record of the year (following Childish Gambino’s This Is America in 2019) but Lamar played the achievement down, focusing instead on his hometown of Los Angeles, which was recently ravaged by wildfires.
“We’re gonna dedicate this one to the city,” he said. “Compton, Long Beach Inglewood, Hollywood, out to the valley… This is my neck of the woods that held me down since a young pup.”
The ceremony, at the Crypto.com arena in Los Angeles, doubled up as a fund-raiser for people affected by the fires, raising more than $7 million (£5.7 million) by the end of the night.
The show opened with a special performance by the local band Dawes, whose homes were destroyed in the inferno, playing Randy Newman’s classic song I Love LA.
Later, Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars delivered a rousing version of California Dreamin’, originally by The Mamas & Papas, dedicated to the first responders who helped tackle the fires.
Comedian Trevor Noah, who hosted the ceremony, admitted that “just a few weeks ago, we weren’t sure that this show would even happen”.
“Thankfully, due to the heroic efforts of firefighters, the fires have now been contained, and despite all the devastation, the spirit of the city has emerged,” he added, to generous applause.
Squads of firefighters were invited to the awards to honour their efforts; and they walked the red carpet taking selfies with the biggest stars in music.(BBC).
