The 2025 Grammy Awards, held on February 2, became a night of record-breaking triumphs for Kendrick Lamar and Beyoncé, both of whom solidified their unparalleled influence on music and culture.
Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” swept the night, winning all five awards for which it was nominated. The powerful diss track, already a cultural phenomenon following its critical role in Lamar’s publicized beef with Drake last summer, secured the highly coveted Record of the Year and Song of the Year, making Kendrick only the second rapper in history to win both awards after Childish Gambino in 2019.
“Not Like Us” also won Best Rap Song, Best Rap Performance, and Best Music Video, making it the most awarded rap song in Grammy history. This marks the first time a diss track has ever earned a Grammy, further emphasizing Kendrick’s artistry and impact. During his acceptance speech for Song of the Year, Kendrick paid homage to his West Coast influences, including Glasses Malone and fellow TDE artists Jay Rock, ScHoolboy Q, and Ab-Soul. He also honored his late aunt and dedicated his Record of the Year win to his home city of Los Angeles, which recently suffered devastating wildfires.
“Rap music is the culture—it’ll always be here and live forever,” Kendrick said passionately, encouraging young artists to respect the art form.
On the other side of the musical spectrum, Beyoncé achieved a long-overdue milestone, winning Album of the Year for her genre-defying Cowboy Carter. The country-inspired album made her the first Black woman to win the prestigious award since Lauryn Hill in 1999. Beyoncé also won Best Country Album and Best Country Duo/Group Performance for her collaboration with Miley Cyrus on “II Most Wanted.”
Expressing her gratitude, Beyoncé dedicated her Album of the Year award to Linda Martell, a pioneering Black female country artist, calling for continued progress and inclusivity in the music industry. The win not only extended Beyoncé’s lead as the most decorated artist in Grammy history with 35 awards but also earned JAY-Z his 25th Grammy, solidifying his title as the most-awarded rapper in history.
The night also celebrated rising stars, as Doechii’s Alligator Bites Never Heal won Best Rap Album, a victory over heavyweights like Eminem and Future. Rapsody took home her first Grammy for Best Melodic Rap Performance with “3:AM” featuring Erykah Badu.
Meanwhile, rap legend Roxanne Shanté became the first solo female rapper to receive the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, adding another historic moment to the evening.
The 2025 Grammy Awards not only celebrated the brilliance of established icons but also shone a spotlight on emerging talent, reaffirming music’s boundless capacity to inspire and evolve. From Kendrick Lamar’s lyrical mastery to Beyoncé’s genre-transcending artistry, the night underscored their unmatched contributions to music and culture.
Complete List of Major Winners
- Album of the Year: Beyoncé — Cowboy Carter
- Record of the Year: Kendrick Lamar — “Not Like Us”
- Song of the Year: Kendrick Lamar — “Not Like Us”
- Best Rap Album: Doechii — Alligator Bites Never Heal
- Best Rap Song: Kendrick Lamar — “Not Like Us”
- Best Country Album: Beyoncé — Cowboy Carter
- Best Melodic Rap Performance: Rapsody feat. Erykah Badu — “3:AM”
The 2025 Grammy Awards proved to be a historic night, spotlighting both innovation and tradition across genres. Kendrick Lamar and Beyoncé’s monumental wins solidified their places as musical legends, rewriting history and inspiring future generations.
