Beyoncé wins big, Taylor Swift 'empty-handed' at Grammy 2025

Beyoncé received the most important award - Album of the Year - presented by Los Angeles firefighters, Taylor Swift left empty-handed at the 2025 Grammy.

At the awards ceremony on the morning of February 3 ( Hanoi time), Beyonce was honored with the album Cowboy Carter , released in late March 2024, includes 27 songs. The album's spirit is to honor the black community in American history and music . After its release, the album received many compliments from experts. Pitchfork Rated 8.4/10, commenting that Beyoncé "claims her rightful place in country music in a way that only a pop star as talented and extraordinarily influential as her can."

Beyoncé received the Album of the Year award. Photo: AFP

She accepted the award with her eldest daughter, Blue Ivy, and opened her speech by thanking the firefighters who came on stage to present her with the award. "I just feel so fulfilled and so honored. It's been many, many years, and I just want to thank the Grammys. Every songwriter, every collaborator, every producer, everyone has worked so hard," the singer said. Beyoncé dedicated her win to Linda Martell, a leading Black country artist who appeared on her album. "I hope we keep moving forward, opening doors," the singer said.

The award marks Beyoncé's first win in the most important Grammy category. Last season, her husband Jay-Z was upset because "Beyonce has the most golden trumpets but she didn't win Album of the Year."

The singer is also the first woman of color in more than 50 years to win Best Country Album. She also won Best Country Collaboration (for II Most Wanted , featuring Miley Cyrus).

Despite not winning any Golden Horn, Taylor Swift enjoyed the event, dancing along to the performances. Considered Beyoncé's big rival in the Album of the Year category, when her senior was honored, Swift happily celebrated, clinking glasses with Beyoncé's husband - Jay-Z.

Singer Taylor Swift on the red carpet of the event. Photo: AFP

Kendrick Lamar also won big with five awards, including two major ones - Song of the Year and Record of the Year for Not Like Us , revolves around his conflict with rapper Drake in 2024.

The remaining grand prize - Best New Artist - went to Chappell Roan, a 27-year-old drag queen. Born in 1998, she is currently one of the most promising figures in the international music scene. The artist had an active year with the album The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess , released in September 2023, and the single Good Luck, Babe! , released April 2024.

The award for Best Pop Album went to Sabrina Carpenter - the new phenomenon of the music industry - with Short n' Sweet . From a backup singer on Taylor Swift's The Eras Tour, she became a sought-after rising superstar. Hit Espresso Her song has reached 1.6 billion streams on Spotify, and is considered the "song of summer 2024".

Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars won Best Pop Duo or Group Performance, with Die With a Smile - The ballad has become a global sensation and received much praise from experts. The song revolves around the desire to love to the point of destruction, the desire to spend the last moments with the person you love.

The awards ceremony lasted four hours, with a message of healing and reconciliation. At the beginning of the ceremony, MC Noah recalled the Los Angeles wildfire in January: "This city has just experienced one of the greatest natural disasters in American history." He thanked the firefighters and those who helped to overcome the consequences.

Los Angeles Fire Chief Anthony Marrone presented the Album of the Year award. He thanked those who fought the fires: "Their acts of courage and selfless dedication are truly inspiring. I believe that together we will recover and rebuild, because we are Los Angeles strong."

Many artists expressed their love for the city that has suffered heavy damage. Lamar said he wanted to dedicate his Record of the Year winner - Not Like Us - for his hometown, where he has lived since childhood until adulthood. Many artists sing songs inspired by Los Angeles such as Birds of the Feather (Billie Eilish), California Dreamin' (Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars).

Host Trevor Noah said Grammy audiences have donated at least $7 million to wildfire relief. The money will go to MusiCares, a charity founded by the Recording Academy to help people in the music industry, provide resources and provide disaster relief.

The awards ceremony created a moment of silence in the tribute to artists who passed away in 2024. On the background of the song All My Love Coldplay's Chris Martin, the screen alternately shows images of Kris Kristofferson, Marianne Faithfull, Phil Lesh and Liam Payne of One Direction, who died in October 2024 at the age of 31 after falling from the third floor of a hotel in Argentina.

The show keeps the tradition of dedicating a lot of time to artists who rock the stage. In addition to big names like Chris Martin (Coldplay), Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars, Shakira, young voices in the Best New Artist category like Chappell Roan, Shaboozey, all performing.

Shakira performs at the 2025 Grammys. Photo: ELLE

The organizers honored women and new artists. Most of the performers, from Billie Eilish, Sabrina Carpenter and Chappell Roan, were women. Doechii became the third woman (after Lauryn Hill and Cardi B) to win the award for best rap album. Harvey Mason Jr., head of the Recording Academy , said the awards were trying to be fair, after being criticized by many artists, including The Weeknd.

Grammy The awards, which were first presented in 1959, are presented by the National Academy of Music and Arts to honor artists who have made outstanding contributions to the music industry. In 2024, three new awards were added, including Best Pop Dance Performance, Best African Music Performance, and Best Alternative Jazz Album, to celebrate the diversity and creativity of the global music community.

Some awards at Grammy 2025

Album of the Year
Beyoncé - Cowboy Carter

Song of the Year
Kendrick Lamar - Not Like Us

Record of the Year
Kendrick Lamar - Not Like Us

Best Pop Duo/Group Performance
Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars - Die With a Smile

Best Latin Pop Album
Shakira - Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran

New Artist of the Year
Chappell Roan

Best Country Album
Beyoncé - Cowboy Carter

Best pop album
Sabrina Carpenter - Short n' Sweet

Best rap album
Doechii - Alligator Bites Never Heal

Best pop performance
Sabrina Carpenter - Espresso

Best Dance/Electronic Album
Charli xcx - Brat