“Nothing more powerful than rap music,” Kendrick Lamar said as he accepted the Song of the Year award for his track “Not Like Us” at the 67th Annual GRAMMY Awards on February 2, 2025. Lamar’s success at the Grammys marked a major milestone in his career, winning five awards for the song, including Record of the Year, Best Rap Song, Best Rap Performance, and Best Music Video.
Released in May 2024, “Not Like Us” became an anthem in Lamar’s ongoing feud with hip-hop rival Drake, resonating with fans for its potent lyrics and driving beat. Lamar’s sweeping victory affirmed his dominance in the music world, making it clear that his impact transcends the genre. He dedicated his best record Grammy to his hometown of Los Angeles, acknowledging the city’s struggle with recent wildfires.
Lamar’s triumph at the Grammys is especially significant as it comes just a week before he headlines the Super Bowl halftime show in New Orleans, solidifying his place as one of the most influential artists in contemporary music.
“It’s been many, many years”: Beyoncé Wins First Album of the Year Grammy for ‘Cowboy Carter’
Beyoncé claimed her first-ever Album of the Year Grammy for “Cowboy Carter” at the 67th Annual GRAMMY Awards, defeating strong competition from Taylor Swift and Billie Eilish. The 43-year-old icon’s win marked a historic moment for her, as she had been nominated for this prestigious award five times previously but had never taken home the trophy.
In her emotional acceptance speech, Beyoncé dedicated the award to Linda Martell, a pioneering Black woman in country music, and expressed her hope for continued progress in breaking down barriers. “I hope we just keep pushing forward, opening doors,” she said.
“Cowboy Carter,” a 27-track country album blending Beyoncé’s southern roots with genre-defying sounds, shed light on the legacy of Black artists in country music. The album is part of her “Renaissance” trilogy and helped spark conversations about racism in the genre.
Beyoncé also won Best Country Album and Best Country Duo/Group Performance with Miley Cyrus, bringing her total Grammys for the night to three.
