Beyoncé and Kendrick Lamar dominated the Grammys, which also honored those affected by the California wildfires.
Beyoncé claimed the night’s top honor, Album of the Year, for “Cowboy Carter,” marking her first win in this category. The award was presented by members of the Los Angeles County Fire Department in a tribute to those impacted by the wildfires during the ceremony at the Crypto.com Arena in LA.
She became only the fourth Black woman to win this award, expressing gratitude amid resounding applause.
A visibly shocked Beyoncé also took home Best Country Album, sharing that she “really was not expecting this” as she accepted the award. “Sometimes genre is a code word to keep us in our place as artists, and I just want to encourage people to do what they’re passionate about,” she said.
Taylor Swift presented her with the award, reminiscing about her own win in the same category 15 years earlier.
Additionally, Beyoncé won Best Country Duo/Group Performance with Miley Cyrus, becoming the first Black woman in 50 years to win a country Grammy. Chris Stapleton received the award for Best Country Solo Performance.
Lamar clinched five Grammys for his controversial Drake diss track “Not Like Us,” which is now embroiled in a defamation lawsuit. He swept both Song and Record of the Year.
In a heartfelt speech, with his upcoming Super Bowl halftime performance on the horizon, Lamar dedicated his win to the city.
Following a year dominated by Taylor Swift, SZA, Miley Cyrus, and Billie Eilish, this year’s Grammys showcased another powerhouse lineup of female winners, with Beyoncé, Sabrina Carpenter, Charli XCX, Doechii, and Chappell Roan taking home major awards.
In the Best New Artist category, Chappell Roan triumphed over competitors like Shaboozey and Raye, using her speech to advocate for fair compensation and healthcare for emerging artists.
Charli XCX picked up three pop awards but lost out on Best Pop Solo Performance and Best Pop Vocal Album, both of which went to Sabrina Carpenter. Doechii claimed Best Rap Album, becoming one of the few women to win this accolade.
Other notable female winners included SZA, who won Best R&B Song for “Saturn,” and Shakira, who dedicated her Best Latin Pop Album win to “all my immigrant brothers and sisters.”
Jimmy Carter won posthumously in the audiobook category, while Dave Chappelle and Chris Brown were controversial picks for Best Comedy Album and Best R&B Album, respectively.
Host Trevor Noah addressed the unique circumstances of the night, spotlighting the recent devastating California wildfires and the resilience of those affected.
The show opened with a performance by Dawes, who were joined by artists like John Legend and Sheryl Crow to honor those impacted by the fires. The performance also helped raise funds for nearly 100 affected families.
Noah highlighted charitable efforts, pointing viewers to a QR code for donations and acknowledging contributions from Amazon Music, CBS, and Mastercard.
He also emphasized support for local businesses affected by the wildfires, noting that they provided catering and decorations for the venue and were given advertising space.
While presenting the Song of the Year award, Diana Ross underscored the power of unity, rebuilding, and compassion.
Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars delivered a duet of “California Dreamin’” following a montage of Californians who lost their homes in the fires. The pair later won Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for “Die with a Smile.” In her acceptance speech, Gaga advocated for visibility and love for the trans and queer communities.
Noah humorously noted the influence of immigrants in this year’s voting process and joked about economic pressures affecting Beyoncé’s newly announced tour.
Alicia Keys, honored with the Dr. Dre Global Impact Award, championed diversity in music, emphasizing the crucial role of female producers and the importance of amplifying diverse voices.
Other performances included Billie Eilish, Sabrina Carpenter, and Olivia Rodrigo, as well as a surprise appearance by The Weeknd, who had previously vowed to boycott the Grammys.