Did the 2025 Grammy Awards finally get it right or was it another night of shocking snubs and unexpected wins?
Music’s biggest night never fails to deliver surprises, and this year’s Grammys were filled with surprising victories and unforgettable moments, leaving fans divided on whether this award show recognizes music’s finest or is just simply another industry popularity contest.
The night kicked off with a powerful monologue from none other than five-time host Trevor Noah, who seamlessly blended humor and a heartfelt tribute as he opened the 67th annual Grammy Awards. Noah set the tone for an evening of both celebration and generosity, acknowledging the devastating Los Angeles fires and raising an impressive $7 million from viewers alone to support those affected by the devastation.
But what began as a night of expected wins quickly turned an unexpected corner.
Beyoncé not only took home Album of the Year but also made history by winning Best Country Album—a double victory that, while groundbreaking, sparked controversy among fans. Nominees in the Album of the Year category included remarkable artists such as Sabrina Carpenter, Charli XCX, Chappell Roan, Taylor Swift, and, most notably, Billie Eilish.
Cowboy Carter was recognized for the Best Country Album—making her the first Black woman in history ever to achieve this honor, but many questioned whether she deserved to win both categories. Fans of Eilish argued that she was robbed of Album of the Year, especially given the commercial success and constant recognition of Hit Me Hard and Soft. The debate only intensified after Eilish left the night empty-handed despite having seven nominations, fueling fairness concerns in the voting process.
The cameras even captured her teary-eyed reaction as she realized her name was not announced for Album of the Year.
Some even considered that in last year’s Grammy Awards, Jay-Z accepted his trophy and in his speech, complained that Beyoncé had never won album of the year—and now she conveniently wins the following year. And while Billie’s entire album was only written by her brother Finneas and herself, Beyoncé’s album had a combined total of 72 songwriters! That’s the highest any album of the year ever had, with the previous record being 16 songwriters on Bruno Mars’s 24K Magic. Another shocking number is that Billie’s album has 300 million more streams than Beyoncé’s.
Meanwhile, Kendrick Lamar swept the night overall, winning five of his seven nominations, including Record of the Year and Song of the Year. And as if Grammy dominance wasn’t enough, Lamar also teased fans for his highly anticipated Super Bowl LIX halftime performance.
Rising star Chappell Roan claimed Best New Artist, and in a moment that surprised absolutely no one, Sabrina Carpenter secured Best Pop Vocal Album for her album Short and Sweet. Both Chappell and Sabrina also made their Grammy stage debuts with unforgettable performances. Chappell captivated the audience with her bold stage presence, and Sabrina brought a mix of elegance and charm, both singing fan-favorite hits—proving their wins were well-deserved.
Billie was not the only one leaving empty-handed; Taylor Swift also left without a win. However, in true Swift fashion, she remained the life of the party, celebrating her friends’ victories (especially Sabrina’s), dancing on her feet through every single performance—at what she calls a “free concert”—and even sharing a sweet moment with Alicia Keys’ son dancing away during Shakira’s electrifying set.
Adding even more to the night’s unpredictability, The Weeknd made a shocking return to the Grammy stage after his four-year-long boycott delivering an audience-stunning performance featuring Playboi Carti and songs from his newly released album Hurry Up Tomorrow. The stage design was nothing short of cinematic, featuring dark red lighting with eerie visuals and a dramatic backdrop that added intensity to the performance. His appearance quickly became one of the night’s most talked-about moments.
The 2025 Grammy Awards proved once again that music’s biggest night is never without some controversy. Beyoncé’s historic victories, Billie Eilish’s surprising shutout, Kendrick Lamar’s sweeping success, and the Weeknd’s unexpected visit all contributed to a night of celebrations and debates. Whether the Grammys truly honors music’s best or simply plays into industry politics will be a conversation that continues long after the final trophy has been handed out. Love it or hate it, this year’s Grammys gave everyone something to talk about and left us all wondering—did the music win, or did the industry?