Beyoncé’s “Cowboy Carter” won the Grammy Award for album of the year, the first win in the category for the superstar performer.
Until Sunday, the Recording Academy had consistently overlooked Beyoncé for the top honor, with the singer losing four times for her albums “Renaissance” (2023), “Lemonade” (2017), “Beyoncé” (2015) and “I Am… Sasha Fierce (2010).
With 99 career Grammy nominations, Beyoncé holds the record as the most nominated artist in the history of the Recording academy.
As her name was read out, Beyoncé hugged her daughter Blue Ivy, then her husband Jay-Z, before walking to the stage in a gold paisley dress to accept the trophy. “I just feel very full and very honored,” she said. “It’s been many, many years.”
The singer dedicated her award to Linda Martell, one of the pioneers for black musicians in country music and the first black woman to perform solo at the Grand Ole Opry (Ms Martell features on several of Cowboy Carter’s songs).
“I hope we just keep pushing forward [and] opening doors,” Beyoncé continued. “God bless y’all. Thank you so much.”
The star’s victory comes 25 years after her first Grammy nomination, as part of the R&B group Destiny’s Child. She went on to become the most-awarded artist in Grammys history, with a haul of 35 trophies – but the main prize eluded her until Sunday night.
Beyoncé and the Grammy winners of 2025
Here are the winners in all the main categories.
Winner: Beyoncé – Cowboy Carter
André 3000 – New Blue Sun
Sabrina Carpenter – Short n’ Sweet
Charli XCX – Brat
Jacob Collier – Djesse Vol 4
Billie Eilish – Hit Me Hard and Soft
Chappell Roan – The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess
Taylor Swift – The Tortured Poets Department
Record of the year
Winner: Kendrick Lamar – Not Like Us
The Beatles – Now And Then
Beyoncé – Texas Hold ‘Em
Sabrina Carpenter – Espresso
Charli XCX – 360
Billie Eilish – Birds of a Feather
Chappell Roan – Good Luck, Babe!
Taylor Swift ft Post Malone – Fortnight
Song of the year
Winner: Kendrick Lamar – Not Like Us
Beyoncé – Texas Hold ‘Em
Sabrina Carpnter – Please Please Please
Billie Eilish – Birds Of A Feather
Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars – Die With a Smile
Chappel Roan – Good Luck, Babe!
Shaboozey – A Bar Song (Tipsy)
Taylor Swift ft Post Malone – Fortnight
Best new artist
Winner: Chappell Roan
Benson Boone
Sabrina Carpenter
Doechii
Khruangbin
Raye
Shaboozey
Teddy Swims
Best Rock performance
Winner: The Beatles – “Now and Then”
The Black Keys – “Beautiful People (Stay High)”
Green Day – “The American Dream Is Killing Me”
Idles – “Gift Horse”
Pearl Jam – “Dark Matter”
St. Vincent – “Broken Man”