Glamorous outfits, standout performances, and gold-plated trophies can only signal one event—the return of the Grammy Awards. The biggest names in music, including Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, Kendrick Lamar, and Billie Eilish, shared the spotlight with highly anticipated performances by Chappell Roan, Sabrina Carpenter, Doechii, and Shakira.
Early winners during CBS’ primetime broadcast included Doechii (best rap album), Carpenter (best pop vocal album), and Beyoncé (best country album), with ten awards set to be distributed live.
With trophies awarded in over 90 categories, anticipation is building to see whether Beyoncé, the most decorated artist in Grammy history, will finally secure her first album of the year win for “Cowboy Carter.”
The competition for the evening’s highest honor remains intense, particularly with Swift—who holds the record with four wins in the category—vying for another triumph. Also in contention are rising stars Carpenter, Roan, and Charli XCX, alongside industry powerhouses like Eilish, André 3000, and Jacob Collier.
And that’s just scratching the surface, as the event features a total of 94 categories. With an action-packed show ahead, USA TODAY’s Entertainment team is covering every standout moment from the 67th annual Grammys.
Few artists understand genre evolution better than Swift, who transitioned from country roots to becoming a global pop phenomenon. During the ceremony, she had the honor of presenting the best country album award, which went to Beyoncé for “Cowboy Carter.”
Beyoncé’s reaction was one of genuine surprise as she widened her eyes upon hearing her name. “Wow, I really was not expecting this,” she admitted while accepting the award. “I think sometimes ‘genre’ is just another way to box artists in, but I want to encourage everyone to pursue their passion and stay persistent.”
The moment felt special, with two of the industry’s most influential figures sharing the stage in a display of mutual admiration. Looking ahead to 2025, there’s hope for even more artistic freedom and boundary-pushing achievements.
Sabrina Carpenter Takes Best Pop Vocal Album Over Taylor Swift
Has the Recording Academy found a new leading voice in pop, marking a move away from Swift’s Grammys dominance? Carpenter claimed the best pop vocal album award, prevailing over seasoned artists like Ariana Grande and rising star Chappell Roan, as well as Swift—arguably the most influential musician right now. Carpenter previously opened for Swift on the record-breaking Eras tour.
Swift’s enthusiasm for Carpenter’s achievement was evident as she leaped from her seat, cheering with excitement. Carpenter, visibly overwhelmed by the moment, still made sure to acknowledge her mother, saying, “I want to thank my mom for driving me to every voice lesson.”
Doechii Makes History With Best Rap Album Win
Before the night was far along, a historic achievement had already taken place. Doechii became only the third woman to earn best rap album honors, securing the award for her mixtape “Alligator Bites Never Heal.”
Her heartfelt speech paid tribute to Lauryn Hill and Cardi B, the two previous female winners in the category, and Cardi B was the one to announce her victory.
She concluded her speech with a message of encouragement aimed at Black women: “You can do it. Anything is possible… Don’t let anyone box you in with stereotypes.” The powerful words resonated with Gayle King, who was seen enthusiastically shouting “preach” from the audience.
