LOS ANGELES — The 2025 Grammy Awards kicked off with Doechii taking home the award for best rap album for her project “Alligator Bites Never Heal.” The emotional moment marked her first Grammy win, and she reflected on a category that, since its inception in 1989, has only seen three women triumph: Lauryn Hill, Cardi B, and herself.
As the ceremony began, the show addressed the recent wildfires affecting the Los Angeles area, highlighting the community’s resilience in facing such challenges. The event launched at the Crypto.com Arena with a focus on honoring first responders and the music community’s strength in adversity. Host Trevor Noah opened the show by paying tribute to those impacted by the fires while emphasizing a celebratory atmosphere reflecting the city’s contribution to the music industry.
Billie Eilish, alongside her brother Finneas, delivered a moving performance of “Birds of a Feather” against a backdrop designed to echo the mountains surrounding Los Angeles, shining a light on the local heritage. Eilish expressed her love for the city, reinforcing the theme of support and unity throughout the evening. The festivities began with an impactful rendition of Randy Newman’s “I Love L.A.” performed by Dawes, who bravely played alongside acclaimed artists like John Legend and Sheryl Crow, all while being directly affected by the local Eaton fire.
Sabrina Carpenter dazzled the audience with a medley of her hits, including a jazzy version of “Espresso,” showcasing her comedic timing as her stage effects playfully malfunctioned. The 67th Grammy Awards were characterized by a notable trend of first-time winners across various categories.
During the pre-telecast ceremony hosted by songwriter Justin Tranter, several prominent artists received their first Grammys. Celebrated names like Sabrina Carpenter and Charli XCX, as well as renowned Música Mexicana artist Carin León and the French metal band Gojira, joined in on the excitement. Notably, former President Jimmy Carter posthumously won a Grammy for his narration in “Last Sundays in Plains: A Centennial Celebration,” marking his fourth such honor.
Carpenter grabbed the first award of the night—best pop solo performance for “Espresso,” paving the way for another first-time winner, Charli XCX, who snagged awards for best pop dance recording for “Von Dutch” and best dance/electronic album with “BRAT.” Meanwhile, Amy Allen made history by being the inaugural female winner of the songwriter of the year, non-classical category.
Ferrell also celebrated her maiden wins for Americana performance and album at the ceremony, humorously brandishing her acceptance speech from a scepter as she navigated several visits to the stage. Leading nominee Beyoncé earned her first award of the night with “II Most Wanted,” which won best country duo/group performance, marking her debut in a country category.
Kenrick Lamar triumphed with accolades for his song “Not Like Us,” securing wins for music video, rap song, and rap performance, reiterating his established reputation within the industry. The Beatles’ “Now and Then,” uniquely created with AI technology, was awarded best rock performance, accepted by Sean Lennon on behalf of his late father.
In light of the devastating implications of the wildfires affecting over 14,000 structures and displacing thousands, the Recording Academy has made concerted efforts to shape its award show around community aid. CEO Harvey Mason Jr. articulated that the aim was to recognize resilience while providing support for first responders and the affected communities. The Grammys, alongside MusiCares charity, disclosed raising nearly $5 million in relief for those in the music world affected by these disasters.
The Grammy ceremony is being broadcast live on CBS and Paramount+, with opportunities for viewers to watch via various streaming services.
As for the nominations, Beyoncé led with an astounding 11 nominations for her acclaimed “Cowboy Carter” album, marking her ascent in Grammy history with a total of 99 nominations over her career. Should she win album of the year, she would be the first Black woman to achieve this milestone in the 21st century. Anticipation heightened as she announced her upcoming Cowboy Carter Tour over social media, generating excitement among fans.
Carpenter, Roan, Shaboozey, and other popular artists are set to perform during the ceremony while legendary figures like Stevie Wonder will pay tribute to iconic producer Quincy Jones. Presenters include notable names such as Taylor Swift and Gloria Estefan, enhancing the star-studded nature of the evening.
