Every year, The Grammys are a host for controversy over who deserves what award, and 2025 is no exception. However, a few artists undeniably stood out for their dedication and success in the music industry. This year, the show was hosted by Trevor Noah in Los Angeles. Before the night even started, Beyoncé had 11 nominations, then Charli xcx, Billie Eilish, Kendrick Lamar, and Post Malone followed with 7 each. And after that, Sabrina Carpenter, Chappell Roan, and Taylor Swift had 6 each.

If you missed the winners for the 2025 Grammys, jump to the bottom.

This year, up-and-coming pop star Chappell Roan and rap artist Kendrick Lamar took home well-earned awards, proving that artistry and individuality still matter in this ever-changing industry.

The award for Best New Artist went to none other than Chappell Roan, a pop singer from Missouri best known for her individuality and bold artistic style. During her acceptance speech, Roan used the chance to take a direct hit at the modern music industry, and their lack of support for new, upcoming artists. She describes her personal experience of being signed to a record label as a minor, and was then dropped without the experience and resources necessary to sustain herself during the pandemic, and specifically lacked health insurance. “It was so devastating to feel so committed to my art and feel so betrayed by the system”, she stated while receiving her award. This speech resonated with many artists in the audience, receiving a standing ovation from a loving crowd.

Chappell Roan was not given the easy way into this industry, and has had to push for her success. Her persistence in pursuing her dreams, as well as the hardships she has encountered along the way, have allowed her to build up her own image entirely on her own terms.

Since the beginning of her career, Roan has used her influence to speak out against injustice, and continues to advocate for what she believes in. As her influence continues to grow, her commitment to her individuality and advocacy will have a lasting impact on the music world.

Kendrick Lamar also stuck out as a well-deserving artist, winning a total of five awards with his single, “Not Like Us” (Record of the Year, Song of the Year, Best Rap Performance, Best Rap Song, and Best Music Video). Over his career, he has released authentic and culturally impactful music, while still remaining true to his own image, even if it does not always win awards. Many see the 2025 Grammys as a well-deserved victory for Lamar, as he lost Album Of The Year in 2018 for his album DAMN., an album that represented his individuality and lack of fear when it comes to creating politically charged music.

Lamar’s ability to story-tell and share the perspectives of those who cannot speak for themselves is what allowed him to thrive in the music industry. He has redefined what rap means to the music world, and will continue to revolutionize this art form for future generations.

Both Chappell Roan and Kendrick Lamar have put in the effort to stay true to what they believe in, and used that characteristic to create music that connects people all around the world, and are extremely deserving of the awards they received at the 2025 Grammys.

One of the most talked about controversies comes from the Album of the Year award. This year, the winner was Beyoncé for COWBOY CARTER. This outcome was unexpected and seemingly undeserved as many believed that Billie Eilish was going to win this Grammy for her outstanding album HIT ME HARD AND SOFT. Billie losing to Beyoncé’s country album was a shock and disappointment. If it wasn’t Billie, there were others that were expected to win over COWBOY CARTER, these being Sabrina Carpenter with Short n’ Sweet, Charli xcx with BRAT, or Chappell Roan with The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess. The fact that Beyoncé’s less popular album won over 2024s pop phenomenons seems strange to many.

Winners of the Grammys 2025

Album of the Year: COWBOY CARTER by Beyoncé 

The other nominees were: New Blue Sun by André 3000, Short n’ Sweet by Sabrina Carpenter, BRAT by Charli xcx, Djesse Vol. 4 by Jacob Collier, HIT ME HARD AND SOFT by Billie Eilish, The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess by Chappell Roan, and THE TORTURED POETS DEPARTMENT by Taylor Swift.

Record of the Year: “Not Like Us” by Kendrick Lamar

The other nominees were: “Now And Then” by The Beatles, “TEXAS HOLD ‘EM” by Beyoncé, “Espresso” by Sabrina Carpenter, “360” by Charli xcx, “BIRDS OF A FEATHER” by Billie Eilish, “Good Luck, Babe!” by Chappell Roan, and “Fortnight” by Taylor Swift & Post Malone.

Song of the Year: “Not Like Us” by Kendrick Lamar
The other nominees were: A Bar Song (Tipsy)” by Shaboozey, “BIRDS OF A FEATHER” by Billie Eilish, “Die With a Smile” by Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars, “Fortnight” by Taylor Swift & Post Malone, “Good Luck, Babe!” by Chappell Roan,  “Please Please Please” by Sabrina Carpenter, and “TEXAS HOLD ‘EM” by Beyoncé.

Best New Artist: Chappell Roan

The other nominees were: Benson Boone, Sabrina Carpenter, Doechii, Khruangbin, RAYE, Shaboozey, and Teddy Swims.

For the less significant categories:
Producer of the Year, Non-Classical: Daniel Nigro

Songwriter of the Year, Non-Classical: Amy Allen

Best Pop Solo Performance: “Espresso” by

Best Pop Duo/Group Performance: “Die with a Smile” by Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars

Best Pop Vocal Album: Short n’ Sweet by Sabrina Carpenter

Best Dance/Electronic Performance: “Neverender” by Justice & Tame Impala

Best Dance Pop Recording: “Von Dutch” by Charli xcx

Best Dance/Electronic Album: Brat by Charli xcx

Best Remixed Recording:: “Espresso (Mark Ronson x FNZ Working Late Remix)” by FNZ & Mark Ronson, remixers

Best Rock Performance: “Now & Then” by The Beatles

Best Metal Performance: “Mea Culpa (Ah! Ça Ira!)” by Gojira

Best Rock Song: “Broken Man” by Annie Clark, songwriter (St. Vincent)

Best Rock Album: Hackney Diamonds by The Rolling Stones

Best Alternative Music Performance: “Flea” by St. Vincent

Best Alternative Music Album: All Born Screaming by St. Vincent

Best R&B Performance: “Made for Me (Live on BET)” by Muni Long

Best Traditional R&B Performance: “That’s You” by Lucky Daye

Best R&B Song: “Saturn” by SZA

Best Progressive R&B Album: So Glad to Know You by Avery*Sunshine

Best R&B Album: 11:11 (Deluxe) by Chris Brown

Best Rap Performance: “Not Like Us” by Kendrick Lamar

Best Melodic Rap Performance: “3:AM” by Rapsody feaet. Erykah Badu

Best Rap Song: “Not Like Us” by Kendrick Lamar

Best Rap Album: Alligator Bites Never Heal by Doechii

Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album:  Visions by Norah Jones

Best Musical theater Album: Hell’s Kitchen

Best Country Solo Performance: “It Takes a Woman” by Christ Stapleton

Best Country Duo/Group Performance: “II Most Wanted” by Beyonce feat. Miley Cyrus

Best Country Song: “The Architect” by Kacey Musgraves

Best Country Album: COWBOY CARTER by Beyonce

Best Americana Performance: “American Dreaming” by Sierra Ferell

Best Latin Pop Album: Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran by Shakira

Best Musica Urbana Album: Las Letras Ya No Importan by Residente

Best Tropical Latin Album: Alma, Corazón y Salsa (Live at Gran Teatro Nacional) by Tony Succar and Mimy Succar

Best Children’s Music Album: Brillo, Brillo! by Lucky Diaz and the Family Jam Band

Best Comedy Album: The Dreamer by Dave Chappelle

Best Audio Book, Narration, and Storytelling Recording: Last Sundays in the Plains: A Centennial Celebration by Jimmy Carter

Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media: Maestro: Music by Leonard Bernstein

Best Score Soundtrack For Visual Media (Includes Film and Television): Dune: Part Two composed by Hans Zimmer

Best Song Written for Visual Media: “It Never Went Away” [from American Symphony] by Jon Batiste

Best Music Video: “Not Like Us” by Kendrick Lamar

Best Music Film: American Symphony