NEW YORK — The upcoming 2025 Grammy Awards are shaping up to be a unique experience, with Beyoncé leading the pack with an impressive 11 nominations, elevating her career total to an astounding 99 nominations. This year, the representation of various genres across the main categories is notable, and women continue to achieve significant recognition. However, there are also some surprising omissions and standout moments to discuss as we delve into this year’s nominations.

Country music seems to be experiencing a renaissance, albeit with a fresh twist. The genre is blending with other popular styles, and this has not gone unnoticed by the Recording Academy. Artists fusing their sounds, such as Beyoncé, Post Malone, and newcomer Shaboozey, are dominating the nominations list, bridging genres in creative ways. Conversely, traditional country artists like Cody Johnson and Luke Combs, who have been favorites at CMA Awards, did not receive nods this year. Notably, Combs’ celebrated cover of “Fast Car” by Tracy Chapman was also overlooked in the Grammy’s record of the year category in 2024, despite its nomination for best country solo performance.

Unexpectedly, The Beatles are making a comeback with their song “Now and Then,” which incorporates AI technology to enhance John Lennon’s voice from an older demo. This track has been nominated for record of the year. The technology used mirrors the methods applied in Peter Jackson’s documentary series “The Beatles: Get Back.” Following a series of reforms regarding technology use announced by the Recording Academy last summer, it has become evident that the impact of artificial intelligence is being felt at the 2025 Grammy Awards.

The album of the year category is also seeing notable entries after last year’s emphasis on female pop artists. Taylor Swift, along with Charli XCX, Chappell Roan, and Sabrina Carpenter, has garnered nominations, sustaining the focus on women in a genre often dominated by them. Charli XCX’s experimental work stands out this year, while male nominees like André 3000 with his jazz-flute album “New Blue Sun” and Jacob Collier’s “Djesse Vol. 4” bring some diversity to the mix.

Charli XCX is achieving a historic moment at the 2025 ceremony, as she has received her first nominations as a solo artist, totaling seven nods. These include album and record of the year, along with several other prestigious categories, reflecting the influence of her groundbreaking album “BRAT” and the cultural impact it has had throughout the summer.

Several artists are marking their debut at the Grammys this year in surprising fashion. Willow Smith is receiving her first nomination for arrangement in the instruments and vocals category for her track “b i g f e e l i n g s.” Additionally, Linda Martell, who made history as the first successful Black woman in country music, is nominated alongside Shaboozey for their collaborative song on Beyoncé’s “SPAGHETTII.” At 83, Martell is now celebrating her first Grammy nomination.

Morgan Wallen, a notable figure in country music, is also receiving attention this year with two nominations related to his collaboration with Post Malone on “I Had Some Help.” Wallen’s previous controversies have sidelined him from nominations, especially after his use of a racial slur resulted in significant backlash in the industry. Despite that, his rise has seen him gain recognition in 2025, contrasting with his zero nominations received for his hit album “Dangerous: The Double Album.”

On the other hand, Latin music is once again absent from the top Grammy categories, despite a plethora of appealing works from artists like Peso Pluma, Shakira, and Bad Bunny. This consistent oversight raises questions about representation in the awards. Similarly, K-pop artists, including BTS members who have been active in releasing solo material, also seem to have been overlooked this year.

Bad Bunny and Usher, two massive names in the industry, managed to gain only a single nomination each. Bad Bunny’s “Nadie Sabe Lo Que Va a Pasar Mañana” is recognized for música urbana album, while Usher’s nomination is for R&B album, despite a year filled with high-profile performances and releases.

Several prominent artists are notably missing from this year’s nominations, including Dua Lipa, who did not appear for her album “Eternal Optimism,” and R&B singer Normani, whose long-anticipated debut album “Dopamine” failed to resonate with voters. Furthermore, no nominations were awarded to Nicki Minaj’s “Pink Friday 2” or Megan Thee Stallion’s “Megan” in the rap categories.

In a surprising twist, award-winning producer Jack Antonoff, who has taken home the producer of the year title multiple times, was not nominated this year—a significant shift after his long-standing presence in that category since 2019. The question now arises who will emerge as 2025’s leading producer.

The excitement builds as the 2025 Grammy Awards are set to be broadcast live on February 2 from the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, promising a night of celebration, surprises, and recognition for artists across the music landscape.