The 2025 Grammys brought together music performers, writers and producers from all over the country. Tables full of rookies and veterans sat together in anticipation, all excited to see the winners, or if they were fortunate, hoping to be the winners If you somehow managed to avoid, intentionally or unintentionally, the performances, the winners and the public opinion on this year’s award show, I’m here to fill you in!
Doechii
This Swap Princess didn’t miss a beat and was unapologetically herself regardless of what anyone said, throughout her entire career. It was announced that rapper, Doechii won the Best Rap Album of the Year award for her soulful album Alligator Bites Never Heal.
During her award speech, Doechii said, “This category was introduced in 1989 and two women have won—three women have won. Lauren Hill, Cardi B and Doechii.” She then followed up by saying, “I know there is some Black girl, so many Black women watching me right now. Don’t allow anyone to project any stereotypes on you that tell you you can’t be here, that you’re too dark, or you’re not smart enough, or that you’re too dramatic or too loud. You are exactly who you need to be.”
This was a heartwarming speech that reached so many people, even over here in little Kent, Ohio, where my professors were talking about it. Doechii is truly the people’s princess—a swamp princess, of course.
Babyface intervIEw
Music producer Babyface, who produced the now, Grammy award-winning song, “Snooze” by singer/songwriter SZA, was doing a pre-Grammy interview, but as soon as it began, it was abruptly ended. According to Erin Jensen, USA TODAY, co-workers Ambriz and Fauria were interviewing Babyface for AP (Associated Press) when Chappell Roan caught the eye of Fauria. The host then began to call out to Roan while Babyface was in the middle of answering a question.
When producer Babyface realizes this, he quickly hands the mic over to Ambriz, who briefly, but sincerely, apologizes and proceeds to interview Roan. Since the incident, AP has apologized and Babyface said he’d like to focus on the positives of the night. It is deeply unfortunate that something like this would happen and I hope the industry will treat all the people within the industry with the same respect and kindness, especially the ones who work behind the scenes.
Sabrina Carpenter
This Grammy winner is one whose songs, I’m sure, you haven’t gotten through the year without hearing at least a snippet of. Sabrina Carpenter is this year’s Best Pop Vocal Album and Best Pop Solo Performance winner. She has taken over charts, social media and advertisements all over the states. Carpenter is truly from humble beginnings and started her career acting and performing songs on the Disney channel.
Since then, she has done nothing but grow in popularity as well as skill. Her vocals and the writing she does with her team are undeniably executed with precision and patience. She makes music and fashion statements, tours the states and manages to do it all seemingly without breaking a sweat. The work she put in this year wasn’t easy, I’m sure, but it obviously put her in the “Good Graces” of the Academy as she took home not one, but two awards this year.
Beyoncé and Billie Eilish
These two artists have been the talk of almost every social media platform on the planet. At the 2025 Grammys, the singer/songwriter Beyoncé Knowles Carter won Best Country Duo/Group Performance, made history by becoming the first black artist to win Best Country Album and won the first Album of the Year award of her about 28-year career.
Unfortunately, Mrs. Knowles Carter’s celebration was short-lived due to the immense amount of hate she received for both awards, despite the artist being from a southern state and incorporating not only the southern attitude and culture she was raised by but also that of others. Showing that, even though they were different, they were country nonetheless.
The issue arose as a clip of Billie Eilish crying surfaced. No one could have predicted the influx of Eilish’s fans who took to the media and began to post about the incident claiming that Billie Eilish was robbed. Now, fans claiming that the artist they are fans of was “robbed” is no new concept, but the claim that Eilish was robbed went from millions sympathizing with her to millions attacking Carter with racist and just plain cruel content.
The outcome of someone else’s success should not have been this disheartening and it’s truly disappointing that Billie Eilish did not encourage fans to stop or separate themselves from those who continue to harass Carter.
Kendrick lamar
This artist had people screaming, “MUUUUSSTARD” and “ A minnnoooor” on repeat for months. His songs are packed with symbolism, double meanings and disses that leave music listeners hyper-analyzing his tracks with every song he’s put out this year.
At the 2025 Super Bowl, his halftime performance was truly the talk of the town, and everyone I know had something to say about it. It broke the record for the highest-viewed Super Bowl performance in history and before it was even aired, was incredibly hyped by the public. Kendrick Lamar won five Grammys total for his song “Not Like Us” listed as follows: Best Music Video, Best Rap Song, Best Rap Performance, Song of the Year and Record of the Year.
Kendrick had seemingly reappeared in the hip hop industry at a time when people were saying that it was boring and that all the current artists were making the same type of song over and over, and singlehandedly Frankenstein’d it, bringing it back to life with one song. Seeing his undeniable impact within the industry as well as within his community throughout his career has made him more than deserving of these wins. To answer Samuel L. Jackson’s (Uncle Sam) question, I believe Mr. Lamar just may know how to play the game.
The 2025 Grammys, like many of the ones before, could be talked about and analyzed for hours. It never disappoints with the talent that it highlights, and even though your favorites may lose, isn’t it great that there is a chance that you might get to see them win? It’s a wonderful thing to be appreciated and seen. All the artists who gather at the ceremony are undoubtedly grateful for how their hard work has affected not only them but the public who consumes their art as well.