The 2025 Grammy Awards took place tonight (Feb. 2) at the iconic Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, just weeks after the devastating wildfires swept through Southern California that left a trail of destruction and over $250 billion in damages. Yet, amidst the chaos, the night was filled with a sense of redemption and resilience. The ceremony felt not just like a celebration of music, but a heartfelt tribute to the spirit of LA.
Throughout the evening, viewers were encouraged to give back, with a QR code on the screen allowing donations to support wildfire relief. In a beautiful show of unity, host Trevor Noah announced that an impressive $7 million had been raised during the broadcast for those affected by the fires.
What a night it was! But beyond the moment itself, the real questions were: How would the Recording Academy recognize Kendrick Lamar’s bold diss track “Not Like Us” aimed at Drake? And, would Beyoncé finally win the Album of the Year, an honor that’s long escaped her despite her record-breaking Grammy legacy?
As it turns out, the Grammys got it just right, honoring the artists who truly deserved it. Both Kendrick Lamar and Beyoncé emerged as the night’s biggest winners, even with fierce competition from heavyweights like Billie Eilish, Taylor Swift, Charli XCX, Chappell Roan, and Sabrina Carpenter all vying for the same prestigious awards. It was a night where talent truly shone through.
There were a few bumps along the way, but all in all, the 2025 Grammys delivered a memorable show. Here are our thoughts—the highlights, and the moments that made us pause—from this year’s star-studded ceremony.
The Highlights
Tems Clinches Her Third Grammy
Tems has done it again! The powerhouse artist snagged the Grammy for Best African Music Performance for her chart-topping hit “Love Me Jeje,” making history as the second-ever winner of this category, following Tyla’s 2024 win for “Water.” Introduced just two years ago in 2023, the award marks a significant milestone in the Grammy’s growing recognition of African talent.
In her emotional acceptance speech, Tems took a moment to reflect on her incredible journey, expressing heartfelt gratitude for the support of her team and family:
“Dear God, thank you so much for putting me on this stage and bringing me this team. Tomorrow is my mum’s birthday, and this is her first Grammy. I just want to thank you, Mum, because she’s done a lot for me and my brother. I want to thank my team—thank you so much. To God be the glory, because honestly, He’s changed my life so much. Thank you so much, thank you, God.”
With this win, Tems becomes the most-awarded Nigerian artist as a lead artist, boasting two Grammy wins: “Wait For U” in 2023 and now “Love Me Jeje” in 2024. It’s a testament to her undeniable influence in music, with her soulful voice and unparalleled talent resonating globally.
In addition to her solo triumph, Tems’ work on Wizkid and Bloody Civilian’s Bob Marley: One Love – Music Inspired by the Film (Deluxe) earned a Grammy for Best Reggae Album, solidifying her position as a key contributor to some of the year’s most celebrated projects.
Though several Nigerian artists, including Rema, Burna Boy, Yemi Alade, and Wizkid, were nominated at the 67th Grammy Awards, none took home a trophy. However, their presence was felt in both music and fashion. Yemi Alade stunned in traditional attire, Asake rocked a military-inspired look, and Lojay debuted a fresh hairstyle. Rema kept it sleek, while Tems dazzled in a show-stopping golden outfit. While the wins may have eluded them, Nigerian artists still made an unforgettable impression.
On the red carpet, Rema and Asake took a moment to share insights about their music and creative journeys. Rema opened up about the inspiration behind his latest album, HEIS, explaining, “For this last album, it was more about recognizing the foundation of the sound that changed my life.”
Asake, reflecting on his Grammy-nominated track “MMS,” shared, “It is me telling my story. That’s the essence of the song—coming from grass to grace. Shout out to Big Wiz, God bless you.”
Grammy : Beyoncé finally wins album of the year
Just last year, Jay-Z took the Grammy stage and made his feelings known, calling out the Recording Academy for making his wife, Beyoncé—the most decorated artist in Grammy history—wait so long for the prestigious Album of the Year award.
Despite being a multi-time nominee in the four major categories—Album of the Year, Song of the Year, Record of the Year, and Best New Artist—Beyoncé had only won Album of the Year once before, with I Am… Sasha Fierce in 2010, and has been notably passed over in the years since.
After Jay-Z’s public plea and the release of Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter—an album that boldly redefines genre—the Recording Academy could no longer ignore her groundbreaking artistry.
Finally, the night arrived when Beyoncé claimed her long-awaited Grammy for Best Album, a recognition that felt well overdue. This win came in a year when her total career Grammy nominations soared to 99 (with 11 nods this year alone, and three wins to her name). For many, it seemed like she should have won every time she released an album, but tonight, it was hers.
During her emotional acceptance speech, Beyoncé paid tribute to country legend Linda Martell, who’s featured on Cowboy Carter, saying, “I want to dedicate this to Ms. Martell. I hope we just keep pushing forward, opening doors.”
Doechii’s coronation
The 2025 Grammys were a monumental night for TDE, with Kendrick Lamar, SZA, and Doechii all taking home well-deserved awards. But for Doechii, the evening felt like something truly special—a dazzling homecoming and a full-circle moment marking her official rise to superstardom.
As the night unfolded, it was Doechii who made the loudest statement. The rising star claimed her very first Grammy for Best Rap Album for her mixtape Alligator Bites Never Heal. In doing so, she became only the third woman ever to win this coveted award, with none other than Cardi B—who herself had been the last woman to take home the trophy—presenting her with the honor.
And if that wasn’t impressive enough, she snagged the win in a fierce category, facing off against industry giants like Future & Metro Boomin, J. Cole, and Eminem. It was a night to remember, and Doechii’s victory undoubtedly left an unforgettable mark on the Grammys stage.
Her acceptance speech was one of the best of the night. Tearfully, she said:
“I know that there is some black girl out there…and I want to tell you that you can do it. Anything is possible. Don’t allow anybody to project any stereotypes onto you. You are exactly who you need to be to be right where you are, and I am a testimony.”
Later, she showcased her creative chops while performing “Catfish” and “Denial Is a River.” Though she lost out to Roan for Best New Artist, taking home the top rap award that night was the perfect punctuation mark on the incredible six months she’s had since Alligator Bites Never Heal dropped.
The Weeknd Squashes His Beef with the Grammys and Brings Playboi Carti Along for the Ride
In 2020, The Weeknd made waves when he called out the Grammys for being “corrupt” after his chart-topping album After Hours was shut out of the nominations. He vowed never to return and even urged his label to steer clear of submitting his music in the future. Fast forward to tonight, and not only has The Weeknd made a triumphant return to the Grammys, but he’s also taken the stage for the first time since 2017.
But this comeback wasn’t just about him—it was a full-on spectacle. He surprised fans by bringing out Playboi Carti to perform their hit track “Timeless” together, adding an electrifying twist to the evening. The duo’s surprise performance became one of the standout moments of the night, a refreshing jolt of energy in a show often criticized for lacking shock value.
It’s safe to say, that The Weeknd’s return was anything but ordinary, and it left us all eagerly anticipating what’s next.
Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” becomes immortalized
“Somebody get the broom out.”
It’s official—Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” has solidified its place as the greatest rap diss track of all time. Not only did it deliver a devastating blow to one of rap’s biggest legends, but it’s also become one of the most decorated tracks in hip-hop history. The song’s jaw-dropping success at the Grammys was a testament to its power, sweeping all five of its nominations.
Producer Mustard was the first to take the stage earlier in the day, accepting three major awards for Best Music Video, Best Rap Song, and Best Rap Performance. Then, in his signature fashionably late style, Kendrick himself appeared to accept the trophies for Song of the Year and Record of the Year.
Dressed in a Canadian tuxedo—an outfit some fans speculated was a sly nod to his ongoing feud with Drake—Kendrick didn’t mention the drama. Instead, he focused on the themes that have always been central to his artistry: community and his deep roots in LA. In a moving acceptance speech for Song of the Year, Kendrick took a moment to honor his Compton origins, paying tribute to his TDE family and LA’s underground rap legends, including Problem, Bad Lucc, Glasses Malone, and others.
He ended his speech with a powerful declaration: “Nothing more powerful than rap music.”
“Not Like Us” isn’t just a diss track—it’s a Grammy-winning, record-shattering masterpiece. A brutal but brilliant anthem that, in its way, has made history. And let’s not forget: this is the same song that chants about Drake being a “pedophile.” Astounding, isn’t it?
Chris Brown Win Big In R&B Categories
Chris Brown, known for his unwavering musical success and longevity in the industry, added another Grammy to his collection with a win in the Best R&B Album category. His latest project, 11:11, won Best R&B Album, beating out Lalah Hathaway (Vantablack), Muni Long (Revenge), Lucky Daye (Algorithm) and Usher (Coming Home).
