The 67th annual Grammy Awards on Feb. 2 celebrated the best in music, spotlighting not just chart-topping hits, but also the cultural impact of music globally. While the ceremony recognized many influential artists, it also attracted criticism. Let’s break it down.
The show opened with some humor and words from Trevor Noah, who has hosted for five consecutive years. He encouraged viewers to donate to wildfire victims in Los Angeles, displaying a barcode on the screen throughout the night. While well-intentioned, Noah and the Academy faced backlash for promoting donations amidst the presence of numerous celebrities and music industry elites.
The performances throughout the night showcased fan favorites. Billie Eilish delivered an earthy performance of “Birds of a Feather,” while Sabrina Carpenter energized the crowd with her hit “Espresso” and her second single, “Please Please Please.”
Doechii, who recently won Best Rap Album of the Year for “Alligator Bites Never Heal,” stunned audiences with a performance of her viral hit “Denial is a River.” She made history as the third Black woman to win the category, following Cardi B’s win for “Invasion of Privacy” and Lauryn Hill’s “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill.”
Best New Artist winner Chappell Roan also performed “Pink Pony Club,” using her platform to advocate for music artists’ basic needs, such as healthcare. Jeff Rabhan, a former music industry executive, criticized Roan, calling her “widely misinformed.” However, Carpenter, Noah Kahan and Charli XCX matched Roan’s $25,000 donation to support artists.
The night also featured performances by Shaboozey, Raye and Jelly Roll. However, the most talked-about performance came from The Weeknd, who had previously announced he would no longer submit his music to the Grammys after being snubbed for his album “After Hours.”
In 2021, he accused the Academy of being “corrupt” and called for more transparency. Despite this, he made a triumphant return and was introduced by CEO Harvey Mason Jr., who reaffirmed the Academy’s commitment to diversity, transparency and fairness. The Weeknd performed two singles from his latest album, “Hurry Up Tomorrow”: “Cry For Me” and “Timeless.”
Nostalgia struck when Taylor Swift presented the Grammy for Best Country Album, marking 15 years since she won the award herself. The honor went to Beyoncé for “Cowboy Carter,” sparking both controversy and viral moments as Beyoncé appeared to be shocked, having just arrived at the ceremony minutes earlier.
Taylor Woods, a second-year education major and country music fan, defended Beyoncé’s win despite the backlash from country music purists.
“This is a Beyoncé Country album—it has its own spin because… it’s Beyoncé,” Woods said.
Sabrina Carpenter also won her first Grammy for Best Pop Vocal Album, and fans now are humorously demanding her to eat at McDonald’s, as she promised she would if she won years ago.
Charli XCX also performed a very “brat” set, with underwear falling from the ceiling as part of a charitable donation to domestic violence survivors. She earlier won a Grammy for her electric pop song “Von Dutch,” during the Grammy Pre-Show.
No one is like Kendrick Lamar, as the rapper swept multiple categories for his viral diss-track and anthem “Not Like Us.”
Some artists didn’t win the awards their fans hoped for, with Ariana Grande, Taylor Swift and Billie Eilish all walking away empty-handed. However, Cynthia Erivo, Grande’s “Wicked” co-star, delivered a heartfelt tribute performance for Quincy Jones and recreated the famous “holding space” meme with Swift.
The night concluded with the highly anticipated Artist of the Year award, presented by L.A. First Responders. The 2025 Album of the Year went to Beyoncé for “Cowboy Carter,” marking a long-overdue win. Her husband, Jay-Z, had previously criticized the Grammys for not awarding her Album of the Year in past years, despite her prior chart-topping success and music industry shifting seven solo studio albums.
Many took to social media to express their disappointment that Billie Eilish’s “Hit Me Hard and Soft” didn’t win. Kamaron Benfield, a third-year BFA major, said: “I loved Billie’s album, but Beyoncé deserved that award.”
Beyoncé, deeply grateful, accepted the honor with her daughter, Blue Ivy, by her side. With 99 nominations and 34 Grammy wins, Beyoncé is now the most-nominated and most-awarded artist in Grammy history.
