LOS ANGELES (AP) – Beyoncé has won album of the year for “Cowboy Carter” at the 2025 Grammys, delivering her — at last — the show’s elusive top award.
The superstar, who is both the most awarded and nominated artist in Grammys history, has been nominated in the category four times before and many feel she has been snubbed by its top honors.
Members of the Los Angeles Fire Department presented Beyoncé with the trophy.
“It’s been many, many years,” Beyoncé said in her speech. “I want to dedicate this to Ms. Martell,” she said, referencing Linda Martell, the performer who became the first Black woman to play the Grand Ole Opry.
“We finally saw it happen, everyone,” host Trevor Noah said, nodding to the long overdue achievement for one of music’s transcendent artists.
Beyoncé entered the night as the leading nominee with 11. She also won best country album for “Cowboy Carter” and best country duo/group performance for the song “II Most Wanted” with Miley Cyrus.
She is the first Black woman in 50 years to win a country Grammy.
The other nominees for album of the year were André 3000 for “New Blue Sun,” Billie Eilish for “Hit Me Hard and Soft,” Chappell Roan for “The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess,” Charli XCX for “Brat,” Jacob Collier for “Djesse Vol. 4,” Sabrina Carpenter for “Short n’ Sweet” and Taylor Swift for “The Tortured Poets Department.”
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