Grammys 2025 highlights: Winners and performances as Beyoncé takes home Album of the Year award with Cowboy Carter
Kanye West raised eyebrows as he and wife Bianca Censori turned up in controversial outfit
The biggest night in music took place on Sunday (February 2). The 2025 Grammy Awards took centre stage at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, as the world’s biggest stars in pop, rock, and hip-hop gathered for a night of celebration and show-stopping performances.
Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, Kendrick Lamar, Chappell Roan, and Sabrina Carpenter led a star-studded list of nominees, while comedian Trevor Noah returned to host for the fifth consecutive year.
Winners included The Beatles, Charli XCX, Carpenter and Lamar, with Beyoncé making history as the first Black woman to win Best Country Album. Kendrick Lamar took home Record of the Year for his Drake diss track “Not Like Us”.
Meanwhile, The Weeknd made a dramatic return after boycotting the ceremony over perceived “snubs” of his music, as he performed tracks from his latest album, Hurry Up Tomorrow.
This year’s ceremony takes place against the backdrop of devastating wildfires that have torn through California in recent weeks. In response, the Recording Academy has pledged to use the event to support local relief efforts, ensuring that music’s biggest stage also serves as a platform for solidarity.
Meanwhile, Kanye West managed to cause controversy amid reports he was “escorted out” of the ceremony after turning up with his wife, Bianca Censori.
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Janelle Monáe slams Nelly for performing at Donald Trump's inauguration during Grammys after-party
Janelle Monáe blasted Nelly for performing at Donald Trump’s presidential inauguration last month.
The 39-year-old rapper criticized Nelly at a Grammys afterparty in Los Angeles on Sunday, according to a video of the event obtained by TMZ. At the party, she and Anderson .Paak were performing Nelly’s song, “Hot in Herre.”
However, Monáe decided to change up the lyrics a bit to insult Nelly for supporting Trump.
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Monáe performed during the tribute to Quincy Jones at the Grammys
Lady Gaga sends powerful message to trans community during Grammys speech
Lady Gaga used her acceptance speech at the 2025 Grammy Awards to express her support for the transgender community after Trump issued new executive orders rolling back transgender rights.
In his first week as President, Trump rolled back a number of diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility initiatives and reinstated policy to restrict transgender military service.
Gaga took to the stage at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles after winning the Best Pop Duo/Group Performance accolade for her collaboration with Bruno Mars on “Die With A Smile.”
Accepting the award, the singer said: “It is a privilege to be a songwriter and a producer, a musician, such an honour to sing for all of you.
“And I just want to say tonight that trans people are not invisible. Trans people deserve love. The queer community deserves to be lifted up. Music is love. Thank you.”
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Lady Gaga sends powerful message to trans community during Grammys speech
Singer won the Best Pop Duo/Group Performance award alongside Bruno Mars
Beyonce’s face goes viral after historic Grammys win
Beyoncé’s reaction to winning Best Country Album at the Grammys has gone viral.
The pop star, who led the nominations this year with 11 nods, took home the award for Best Country Album for her record Cowboy Carter.
Beyoncé beat out Post Malone, Kacey Musgraves, Chris Stapleton, and Lainey Wilson in the competitive category.
The “Single Ladies” star appeared visibly stunned to hear her name called out, freezing in motion before looking around at her to see everyone, including her husband Jay-Z, clapping.
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Fans are in hysterics over the pop star’s reaction to winning the award
Emotional LA fires montage leaves Grammys viewers in agreement
Viewers reacted emotionally as the 2025 Grammy Awards which took place against the backdrop of devastating wildfires that have torn through California in recent weeks.
Ahead of the broadcast, a letter sent to the Recording Academy members from Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr and Tammy Hurt, chair of the board of trustees, said the Grammys were not going to be postponed but go on with a “renewed sense of purpose”.
The show, taking place at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, kicked off with a performance of Randy Newman’s “I Love LA” by Dawes, as a tribute to those who lost their homes in the fire. The American folk rock group, who were personally affected by the fire and lost their home and studio, was joined on stage by John Legend, Sheryl Crowe, Brad Paisley, Brittany Howard and St. Vincent.
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The event chose to support local wildfire relief efforts and raise funds
Grammys host Trevor Noah criticised for joke about Colombians amid immigration crackdown
Grammys host Trevor Noah left some viewers unimpressed after making a joke about pop star Shakira and her native Colombia at the award ceremony on Sunday.
“Three-time Grammy winner Shakira is in the house,” the South African comedian pointed out during his opening monologue. “The greatest thing out of Colombia that isn’t a Class A felony.”
On X/Twitter, many people accused Noah of poor timing given the threat of deportations currently facing Latin American immigrants in the US.
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South African comedian joked: ‘Shakira is here. The greatest thing out of Colombia that isn’t a Class A felony’
Beyoncé confirms Cowboy Carter tour locations
After finally winning the Album of the Year award at the Grammys, Beyoncé has confirmed where her forthcoming tour will be landing.
The Cowboy Carter star announced the 2025 tour before Sunday’s ceremony but has now released on Instagram which cities the shows will be taking place in.
Called the Cowboy Carter and Rodeo Chitlin Circuit Tour, the shows will take place in Los Angeles, Chicago, New York, London, Paris, Houston, Atlanta, Washington DC and Las Vegas.

How the 2025 Grammy Awards went down
Beyoncé enjoyed a historic night while fellow artists Kendrick Lamar, Sabrina Carpenter and Chappell Roan scooped top prizes. Roisin O’Connor has the run-down:

‘Cowboy Carter’ star enjoyed a historic night while fellow artists Kendrick Lamar, Sabrina Carpenter and Chappell Roan scooped top prizes
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