The 67th Annual Grammy Awards felt like a fever dream. If you were watching Trevor Noah host from the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles this past February, you probably felt that weird mix of "finally!" and "wait, really?"
Basically, the 2025 Grammy Awards nominees and eventual winners list was a massive tug-of-war between the old guard and the "Brat" summer. Everyone thought Taylor Swift would just keep her winning streak alive forever. Honestly, you've got to admit that her being shut out after six nominations for The Tortured Poets Department was the shock of the night. She sat there in her red Vivienne Westwood mini dress, raising a glass while other people took the stage. It was a vibe.
Why the Grammy Awards 2025 Nominees list changed everything
History happened. That's the short version. Beyoncé finally—and I mean finally—grabbed the Album of the Year trophy for Cowboy Carter.
It’s kinda wild that it took a country-inspired record for her to get the top prize, especially after 99 career nominations. She became the first Black woman to win Album of the Year since Lauryn Hill did it back in 1999. Think about that gap. That is literally over a quarter-century. During her speech, she thanked the L.A. firefighters (there were wildfires going on at the time) and dropped a gem about how "genre is a code word to keep us in our place."
She wasn't just there to win; she was there to make a point.
The New Kids on the Block
If you spent any time on TikTok in 2024, the Best New Artist category felt like your "For You" page come to life. Chappell Roan took it home, which felt inevitable but still hit hard.
💡 You might also like: Greatest Rock and Roll Singers of All Time: Why the Legends Still Own the Mic
Her speech was anything but corporate. She demanded livable wages and healthcare for artists. You don't usually hear that at the Grammys. She beat out some heavy hitters:
- Sabrina Carpenter (who still had a massive night)
- Benson Boone
- Teddy Swims
- Doechii (who actually made history herself)
- Shaboozey
Doechii might have lost Best New Artist, but she snagged Best Rap Album for Alligator Bites Never Heal. She’s only the third woman to ever win that category. Ever. That's the kind of detail that gets lost in the social media noise.
The Kendrick Lamar and Drake Shadow
We have to talk about "Not Like Us." Kendrick Lamar basically turned a diss track into a trophy magnet. He walked away with five Grammys.
Song of the Year. Record of the Year. Best Rap Performance.
It was a total sweep. Watching the room react to "Not Like Us" winning Record of the Year was surreal. It wasn't just a catchy song; it was a cultural moment that the Recording Academy actually decided to validate. Usually, they shy away from messy beefs. Not this time. They leaned all the way in.
📖 Related: Ted Nugent State of Shock: Why This 1979 Album Divides Fans Today
What about the "Brat" of it all?
Charli XCX didn't just have a summer; she had a ceremony. Brat won Best Dance/Electronic Music Album. She also picked up Best Dance Pop Recording for "Von Dutch."
It’s funny because Charli has been doing this for a decade, but 2025 was the year the Grammys decided she was "Grammy-ready."
Who got left out in the cold?
The snubs were loud. Very loud.
Tinashe’s "Nasty" was everywhere, but the Academy didn't give it a single nod. Same for Megan Thee Stallion. Despite "Hiss" hitting number one, her self-titled album was nowhere to be found.
Even more confusing? Jack Antonoff. The guy usually lives in the Producer of the Year category, but he was missing this time around. Instead, Dan Nigro—the mastermind behind Chappell Roan and Olivia Rodrigo—took the crown. It felt like a literal changing of the guard.
👉 See also: Mike Judge Presents: Tales from the Tour Bus Explained (Simply)
Quick Facts from the 67th Grammys
- The Beatles won Best Rock Performance for "Now and Then." Yes, The Beatles won a Grammy in 2025.
- Sabrina Carpenter won Best Pop Solo Performance for "Espresso."
- Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars took Best Pop Duo for "Die With a Smile."
- St. Vincent won Best Alternative Music Album for All Born Screaming.
How to use this info for your own playlists
If you’re looking to catch up on what actually mattered from the Grammy Awards 2025 nominees, don't just stick to the winners.
Check out André 3000’s New Blue Sun. It’s an instrumental flute album that somehow got an Album of the Year nomination. It’s the perfect "focused work" music. Also, dive into Doechii’s discography if you haven't yet; she’s officially the new blueprint for female rap according to the Academy.
The 2025 cycle proved that the Grammys are trying—slowly, maybe—to stop being so predictable. They gave Beyoncé her flowers, they embraced the "Midwest Princess" energy of Chappell Roan, and they let a diss track rule the night.
Your Next Steps:
- Listen to the Best Rap Album: Doechii’s Alligator Bites Never Heal is a masterclass in versatility that many missed during the Kendrick/Drake hype.
- Watch the Acceptance Speeches: Specifically Chappell Roan’s and Beyoncé’s—they give a lot of insight into the current friction between artists and the industry.
- Compare the Nominees: Look at the Best New Artist list from this year versus five years ago to see just how much the "SoundCloud to Superstar" pipeline has matured.