Trevor Noah hosted The 67th Annual Grammy Awards this past Sunday, February 2 – and it was just as action-packed as expected. Noah spoke about the wildfires in California and encouraged artists, companies, and viewers alike to donate whatever they could. There was also commercial time given to small businesses from L.A. in order to help them get back on their feet and gain exposure. By the end of the night, the Grammys raised $7 million to support victims of the California fires.
Starting with awards, multiple women received their first-ever Grammy awards this year. This includes Sabrina Carpenter for “Best Pop Solo Performance” and “Best Pop Vocal Album” and Chappell Roan for “Best New Artist”. Roan used her time on stage to call out record labels and encourage them to “treat their artists as valuable employees with a livable wage and health insurance and protections”. Doechii also won her first Grammy award, “Best Rap Album,” and became the third woman in history to receive this award.
Beyonce has held the title of most awarded artist in Grammy history since 2023, but had yet to receive the coveted “Album of the Year” until this year when she won for “Cowboy Carter”. She also took home “Best Country Album,” announced by Taylor Swift. (If you know the history there, this was a big deal.)
Upcoming Super Bowl LIX halftime performer Kendrick Lamar swept his categories this year, winning all five of the awards he was nominated for. His song “Not Like Us” was awarded “Record of the Year,” “Song of the Year,” “Best Rap Performance,” “Best Rap Song,” and “Best Music Video”.
After the hype that was BRAT summer, it seemed inevitable that Charli XCX would come home with a few Grammy trophies on her shelf. She ended up receiving “Best Dance/Electronic Album,” “Best Dance Pop Recording,” and “Best Recording Package”.
The performances this year were not lacking when it came to energy, and neither was the audience. My personal favorite performer was Chappell Roan, who electrified the whole room with her hit song dedicated to L.A., “Pink Pony Club”. Seeing – and hearing – all those famous artists dance and sing and celebrate queer women was an unmatched moment that succeeded in giving me chills.
Other notable performances were Sabrina singing a mash-up of “Espresso” and “Please Please Please,” Billie Eilish performing “Birds of a Feather” accompanied by brother Finneas, and Charli XCX ending the night with a performance of “360” and “Guess” that emulated her iconic night club vibe.
Overall, the 2025 Grammys was full of emotional wins, energetic performances, and celebrations of Los Angeles.
Sophomore Emily Myers is a Staff Writer. Her email is emyers3@fandm.edu.