The 67th Annual Grammy Awards, held on Feb. 2, 2025, in Los Angeles, was a night to remember. Hosted by comedian and television personality Trevor Noah, the ceremony celebrated the best in music from the past year. It featured electrifying performances, historic wins and heartfelt tributes making it a standout evening in the music industry.
To begin, Kendrick Lamar made history, taking home five awards for his hit song “Not Like Us”. He rightfully won Record of the Year, Song of the Year, Best Rap Performance, Best Rap Song and Best Music Video. This made the song the most decorated rap track in Grammy history. Kendrick’s win further solidified his reputation in the music industry who continues to push the boundaries of the genre.
He is now one of only two rap artists to win both Record of the Year and Song of the Year, alongside Childish Gambino. Even if some believe he received too many awards for a fan favorite song, his abilities were recognized and he deserved all five awards. However, Charlie XCX’s “360” did deserve the Best Music Award for its innovative concept and Sabrina Carpenter’s “Espresso” should have won Song of the Year for its global popularity. Either way, Lamar’s recognition is justified.
“I think that ‘Not Like Us’, while an incredible moment is a little overrated as a song. I believe this is the Grammy’s overcorrecting themselves and playing to a fan favorite song. Lamar has so many introspective songs about bigger themes that never got looked at in the past, and now that he has had his biggest mainstream hit in years, they’re finally giving him the recognition he deserves from years past,” sophomore Nathaniel Woods said.
Another big story for the night was Beyoncé’s groundbreaking achievement. With a total of 11 nominations, she secured three wins, including her long-awaited first Album of the Year award for her critically acclaimed record, “Cowboy Carter”. This marked a historic moment, as Beyoncé became the first Black woman to win in this category since Lauryn Hill’s victory in 1999.
There are many opinions regarding which artist should have won Album of the Year and these opinions are mostly split into two categories. Those who believe Beyoncé rightfully deserved the award after years of coming up empty-handed and those who wished for Billie Eilish’s new album “Hit Me Hard and Soft” to win the award. Even so, Beyoncé’s award was a win for diversity, genre fluidity and recognition of Black artists in the Grammy’s biggest category making this award well deserved.
“Beyonce’s win in these Grammys was really important for her and for her fans. She finally won Album of the Year which was long overdue. I have always thought she was a great artist and she has deserved almost every award she has won. This year was probably very memorable for her, winning three awards and being the first woman to win this award in the 21st century,” sophomore Nereah Buces said.
The Best New Artist category spotlighted Chappell Roan, whose breakout year earned her the award. Known for her genre-blending sound and introspective lyrics, Roan’s win was a defining moment for her career. In her emotional acceptance speech, she thanked her family, fans and team for believing in her artistry. Her win signaled the arrival of a fresh and dynamic voice in the music world. This win for Roan was definitely the most well-deserved award because her win is seen as a testament to her musical achievements and her courage in addressing critical industry issues.
“Chappell Roan’s music is really unique and I’m glad it finally got some recognition. I’ve listened to several of her songs, and I think she’s been influential to many people across the world through her music. Her win was definitely deserved, and I think she will win more awards in the future,” sophomore Maria Ardila said.
Pop sensation Sabrina Carpenter had a memorable evening, taking home two awards: Best Pop Solo Performance and Best Pop Album. These were her first Grammy wins, marking an important milestone for the rising star. Her album and performances have resonated with fans worldwide, showcasing her evolution as an artist and proving that she deserved these awards.
However, even with all these deserved wins, the Grammy’s did not come without its disappointments as Eilish, despite being nominated in multiple major categories, walked away empty-handed. Eilish, a past Grammy favorite with numerous awards to her name, was widely expected to take home at least one trophy, particularly for her powerful track “Birds of a Feather”. Fans took to social media to express their disappointment.
“Billie Eilish deserved an award this year. She made very inspirational music that was well received globally. There was obviously hard competition against her music but I still think that she should have at least won some sort of recognition,” sophomore John Gelety said.
Nevertheless, the 67th Annual Grammy Awards still celebrated the transformative power of music while highlighting the accomplishments of both established icons and emerging talents. With historic wins, moving tributes and unforgettable performances, the ceremony underscored why the Grammys remain one of the most prestigious nights in the entertainment world.
