The 2025 Grammy Awards ended with Black artists leaving an undeniable mark on the music industry. Held at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Sunday, February 2, the ceremony was a night of groundbreaking wins, powerful performances and heartfelt tributes.
Hosted by Trevor Noah, the 67th Annual Grammy Awards delivered history-making moments, while also acknowledging the devastation caused by the recent Los Angeles wildfires. A special fundraising initiative was introduced, encouraging attendees and viewers to contribute to relief efforts.
Beyoncé cemented her legacy by winning Album of the Year for Cowboy Carter, making her the first Black woman to receive the honor in the 21st century. The last to do so was Lauryn Hill, who won 26 years ago for The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill. Before them, only Natalie Cole and Whitney Houston had claimed the award, making Beyoncé just the fourth Black woman to achieve this milestone.
RELATED STORIES
She also became the first Black woman to win Best Country Album for Cowboy Carter and took home Best Country Duo/Group Performance for “II MOST WANTED” with Miley Cyrus.
Kendrick Lamar secured Record of the Year for his viral diss track Not Like Us, aimed at Drake. His wins extended across multiple categories, including Best Rap Song, Best Rap Performance, Song of the Year, and Best Music Video. A standout moment of the night was when Diana Ross presented him with Song of the Year, drawing admiration from the audience.
Chris Brown won Best R&B Album for 11:11, beating out competition from Lalah Hathaway (Vantablack), Muni Long (Revenge), Lucky Daye (Algorithm), and Usher (Coming Home). Following his win, the 35-year-old celebrated on Instagram, writing: “WE DID IT!!!!”
Doechii made history by becoming the third woman to win Best Rap Album for Alligator Bites Never Heal. In an emotional acceptance speech, she inspired young Black girls, saying, “To every Black girl watching: You can do this. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. You are exactly who you need to be.” Cardi B presented her with the award.
Other notable wins included Muni Long’s Best R&B Performance for “Made For Me (Live on BET),” SZA’s Best R&B Song for Saturn, and Nigerian artist Tems taking home Best African Music Performance for “Love Me JeJe.”
Gospel and Christian music were also celebrated, with CeCe Winans winning Best Gospel Album and Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance.
Alicia Keys received the prestigious Dr. Dre Global Impact Award, presented by the Black Music Collective. Established in 2023, the award recognizes artists who exemplify artistic excellence, entrepreneurship, and philanthropy. The award was presented to her by Queen Latifah.
In her acceptance speech, Keys paid tribute to Dr. Dre, saying, “Tonight is a beautiful, powerful thing that we are cultivating… I just want to give big love to my brother Dr. Dre, who created a sound that began a movement and told me that if you’re a creative growing up in Compton or Hell’s Kitchen, you can touch the world.”
READ ALSO: Kendrick Lamar and SZA announce 2025 Grand National Tour – Check out the full dates here
Beyond the achievements of Black artists, the Grammys paid tribute to the late Quincy Jones, who passed away in November 2024. The emotional segment was led by Will Smith, highlighting the legendary producer’s extraordinary career.
Herbie Hancock played piano while Cynthia Erivo delivered a soul-stirring vocal performance. Stevie Wonder joined Hancock for a heartfelt rendition of We Are the World, a song Jones originally produced. The audience rose for a standing ovation as Janelle Monáe closed out the tribute with a powerful homage to Thriller, one of Jones’ most iconic productions.
In addition to the award highlights, Shaboozey energized the crowd with his hit song A Bar Song (Tipsy). Meanwhile, The Weeknd delivered a thrilling performance alongside Playboi Carti, capping off a night that celebrated the influence and excellence of Black artists across multiple genres.
READ ALSO: SZA to team up with Kendrick Lamar as a guest performer for Super Bowl halftime show
