The 2025 Grammy Awards packed a lot of action into two hours. This year’s show had some incredible moments to unpack, including two new artists’ rise to fame, noteworthy performances, historic wins and speeches that will have an impact on the music industry as a whole.
When it comes to the best rap album category, in thirty-six years, thirty-three men have won. This year, among the five nominees, only one was a woman. The award was fittingly presented by the last woman who won it, Cardi B, to the newest woman to join the ranks of best rap album winners. Doechii, whose first single “Girls” came out in 2018, won the award for her album Alligator Bites Never Heal. Doechii, while in tears, accepted the award, saying; “This category was introduced in 1989, and two women have won– three women have won! Lauryn Hill, Cardi B, and Doechii!” Doechii’s humility and grace in acknowledging the women who came before her was a heartwarming touch. She performed two of her hit songs at the awards ceremony, “DENIAL IS A RIVER” and “CATFISH”. Doechii brought energy and confidence, putting her all into her performance. In the end, she even got a standing ovation from music celebrities Jay-Z and SZA in the crowd.
One thing that many recording studios and companies in the music industry do not get right is taking care of their musicians. Winning the award for best new artist, Chappell Roan took the stage with a speech unlike any other. She began by thanking her fellow nominees for their music as well as her family and record label. After her pleasantries, Roan shared an important message: “I told myself if I ever won a Grammy, and got to stand up here in front of the most powerful people in music I would demand that labels and the industry profiting millions of dollars off of artists, would offer a livable wage and healthcare.” Artists like Roan have struggled with job insecurity and healthcare in the beginnings of their careers. Roan’s call to action will hopefully turn some heads and start a new wave of artist support.
Doechii and Roan were not the only ones to walk away from the Grammys with a surprise; long-time singer and pop-culture icon Beyoncé left the 67th Grammy Awards as a record-breaker. Beyoncé took a risk when creating her country album COWBOY CARTER and strayed from her pop and R&B/Soul roots. When Taylor Swift announced the winner for best country album, the camera panned to a shocked Beyoncé. She is now the first Black woman to win best country album, breaking the mold that came before her. It does not stop there, for the first time, Beyoncé won album of the year for COWBOY CARTER as well. This makes her the third Black woman to win Album of the Year, and the only since 1999 when Lauryn Hill won.
From Doechii and Beyonce setting records in their categories, to Chappell Roan’s call to action for record labels, this year’s Grammy Awardspacked a punch. These talented women have proven themselves as capable artists and have set a new standard for the awards. The Grammys are a flawed institution, but it is nice to see more diversity as time goes on, with people of all races, genders, and sexualities being seen and appreciated for their talents.
