By VOICE & VIEWPOINT NEWSWIRE
The 2025 Grammy Awards were a landmark moment for Black artists, with Beyoncé, Doechii, and Kendrick Lamar securing major wins at the Feb. 2 ceremony.
The devastating fires that swept through Los Angeles shaped the theme of this year’s Grammys, with tributes to the tragedy woven into musical performances and ongoing donation drives for relief efforts.
Notably for women in rap, it was a monumental evening. Doechii became only the third woman to ever win Best Rap Album, securing the honor for her debut project, Alligator Bites Never Heal.
As a Best New Artist nominee, she used her speech to inspire young Black girls to pursue their artistry.
“I know that there is some Black girl out there, so many Black women out there that are watching me right now and I want to tell you, ‘You can do it. Anything is possible,’” she said. “Don’t allow anybody to project any stereotypes on you that tell you that you can’t be here, that you’re too dark or that you’re not smart enough, or that you’re too dramatic or you’re too loud. You are exactly who you need to be to be right where you are.”
Kendrick Lamar also made history, sweeping every category he was nominated in. His track “Not Like Us” dominated the night, earning him Grammys for Best Music Video, Best Rap Song, Best Rap Performance, Song of the Year, and Record of the Year. This achievement set a new record for the most Grammy wins by a rap song.
Meanwhile, Beyoncé, already the most decorated artist in Grammy history, finally claimed the long-awaited Album of the Year award for Cowboy Carter. Continuing her efforts to reclaim country music, she also won Best Country Album for the project. Visibly surprised, she took to the stage to express her appreciation and remind fellow artists that genre should never be a constraint on creativity.
“I feel very full and very honored. It’s been many, many years,” Beyoncé reflected, acknowledging the years of being overlooked for Album of the Year.
Other Black artists who earned awards included Muni Long, Lucky Daye, and SZA for their contributions to R&B.
Jazz vocalist Samara Joy continued her Grammy success with two wins in the Jazz categories, while Alicia Keys was honored with the Dr. Dre Global Impact Award. Keys also secured another win for Best Musical Theater Album for Hell’s Kitchen, her Broadway production.
The evening also paid tribute to the legendary Quincy Jones, celebrating his unparalleled impact on the music industry. Will Smith spoke on the producer’s legacy, while Stevie Wonder, Cynthia Erivo, and Janelle Monáe delivered powerful performances of his iconic hits.
With these historic wins and tributes, the 2025 Grammys underscored the undeniable influence of Black artists, recognizing their contributions and shaping the future of music.
