Alright, music lovers, let’s get real for a second.
The 2025 Grammy Awards are upon us, and honestly, it feels like the Super Bowl of the music world.
We’ve got all the glitz, the glam, and a whole lot of drama – you know, the good kind.
This year’s ceremony isn’t just another awards show; it’s a culmination of some seriously intense competition and some major milestones.
Think epic performances, red carpet fashion that’ll have us buzzing for days, and of course, the elephant in the room: that Album of the Year category.
But before we dive into that musical mayhem, let’s get the basics sorted.
When’s it all going down, you ask?
The 67th Annual Grammy Awards will kick off on Sunday, February 2nd, at 8 p.m.
ET (5 p.m.
PT) on CBS.
That’s right, folks – mark your calendars, set your alarms, and prepare for a night of unforgettable moments.
And what about that pre-show buzz?
The official Grammy Live From The Red Carpet special will start at 6 p.m.
ET.
You can catch all the action streaming live on grammy.com and the Recording Academy’s social media pages, or if you want some extra flair E!’s red carpet coverage, Live From E!
2025 Grammys, starts at the same time.
So, plenty of opportunities to see all the fashion hits (and misses).
Who’s excited?
Now, let’s get to the main event—the nominees.
This year is stacked with talent, with Beyoncé leading the pack with a staggering 11 nominations for *Cowboy Carter*, solidifying her as the most nominated artist in Grammy history.
That’s 99 nominations total, people!
That’s nothing short of legendary.
Following closely behind with seven nods each, we’ve got Kendrick Lamar, Charli XCX, Billie Eilish, and Post Malone, while Taylor Swift, Sabrina Carpenter, and Chappell Roan are not far behind with six nominations a piece.
It’s a musical free-for-all, and we’re absolutely here for it.
The Album of the Year Drama
Let’s be honest, the Album of the Year category is always a hot topic.
It’s like the ‘Best Picture’ of the Grammys.
This year, the nominees are ridiculously diverse, showcasing everything from Chappell Roan’s debut album, *The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess*, to André 3000’s flute-heavy *New Blue Sun*.
It’s a phenomenal lineup, really.
But let’s be real, the album everyone’s talking about is Cowboy Carter.
Yes, it’s **Beyoncé**.
She’s like the Meryl Streep of music, consistently delivering iconic work and pushing boundaries.
It’s her genre-bending smash that everyone is talking about this year.
Here’s the thing, though: The Recording Academy has a bit of a history of overlooking Beyoncé in this specific category.
She’s lost four times, for *Renaissance, Lemonade, Beyoncé,* and *I Am… Sasha Fierce*, no less.
You might think, “Okay, she’s probably used to it by now.” And she is; in fact, she’s even addressed her losing streak in *Cowboy Carter*, singing that she takes the losses on the chin.
But here’s the interesting part: Jay-Z and her legion of fans, known as the Beyhive, have been more vocal about it all.
There is a sense that for *this particular* Grammy category to matter, Beyoncé has to win it.
Why all this fuss about the Album of the Year?
Well, it’s regarded as the top prize, the pinnacle of achievement.
It’s one of the “big four” categories, which also include Best New Artist, Record of the Year, and Song of the Year.
Although Beyoncé has snagged 32 Grammy statues, no other artist has amassed that many from 99 nominations – which is another way of saying that while she has been recognized, *Album of the Year* has thus far remained elusive.
Let’s be real for a second, some of these losses have felt… well, let’s just call them “upsets.” Remember when Beck’s *Morning Phase* beat out Beyoncé in 2015?
That’s one of those moments that sparked a real debate.
Then, there was Adele’s win for *21* in 2017.
She famously acknowledged *Lemonade’s* significance during her acceptance speech saying, “I can’t possibly accept this award… I love you, and I always have and I always will.” *Lemonade*, by the way, landed the top spot on Rolling Stone’s list of the best albums published earlier this month.
However, according to Taylor Crumpton, a music, pop culture, and politics writer, *Cowboy Carter* has also carved a unique space, similarly to *Lemonade*, making it just as deserving of the win.
“I think they both changed culture,” Crumpton told CNN, adding that they’ve both opened up necessary conversations in pop culture and society.
So, who really is sweating this Album of the Year win, Beyoncé or the Grammys?
Her supporters certainly feel this one is important to get right.
As Jay-Z pointed out during his Dr.
Dre Global Impact Award acceptance speech, the Recording Academy has a bit of a track record when it comes to overlooking artists of color and women.
Now, while six out of eight Album of the Year nominees are women this year, underrepresentation continues, with a recent report indicating that only 1 in 5 nominations and wins have gone to women in the last eight years.
Beyond Album of the Year
Of course, there’s more to the Grammys than just the Album of the Year.
We’ve got a stacked list of performers, including some of this year’s Best New Artist nominees, plus a special tribute to the late Quincy Jones, led by Stevie Wonder and Janelle Monáe.
And what’s a Grammy night without a star-studded list of presenters?
We’re talking Taylor Swift, Cardi B, SZA, Olivia Rodrigo, and even the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ Anthony Kiedis and Chad Smith.
Seriously, it’s going to be a night to remember.
Here’s a quick run down of what to expect in terms of performances: From music legends to rising stars, six of the Best New Artist nominees will be taking the stage.
We’ve got Benson Boone, Billie Eilish, Brad Paisley, Bruno Mars & Lady Gaga, Brittany Howard, Chris Martin, Jacob Collier, John Legend, Sheryl Crow, St.
Vincent, and so many more.
And that’s not all; there’s Chappell Roan, Charli XCX, Cynthia Erivo, Herbie Hancock, Janelle Monáe, Lainey Wilson, Stevie Wonder, Doechi, RAYE, Sabrina Carpenter, Shaboozey, Shakira, and Teddy Swims.
Are you excited yet?
The Big Beyoncé Cliffhanger
As the awards draw near, all eyes are really on **Beyoncé**.
She’s already cemented herself as the most celebrated musical artist in Grammy history, with a record-breaking 99 nominations, including 11 this year.
And she’s won 32 times, which, let’s be honest, is mind-blowing.
Yet, there’s that one cliffhanger hanging over her head: she’s never won Album of the Year.
So, the big question remains: is this the year she finally takes it home?
Here’s a thought: It feels like she *should* win this year.
And it’s not just because of that “it’s her turn” feeling.
It’s about what *Cowboy Carter* represents – a shift in the musical landscape.
It’s a paradigm-shifting musical statement that speaks directly to our cultural climate.
Think about “Texas Hold Em.” The banjo, the guitar, the opening line.
It’s almost like a musical Wizard of Oz moment, as Beyoncé takes us on a journey through a wide range of musical traditions, blending everything from folk to hip-hop and making it cohesive.
Of course, the category is stacked.
There’s André 3000 with his flute-centric album, and of course Taylor Swift, who, has four Album of the Year trophies.
But, *Cowboy Carter* feels particularly important, because it doesn’t just pay homage to musical history—it pushes the culture forward.
Speaking of musical history, let’s not forget that before Beyoncé, there was Ella Fitzgerald.
In 1959, she was the first Black woman to receive a nomination for Album of the Year for her groundbreaking *Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Irving Berlin Songbook.* She didn’t win, but she paved the way for others.
Since then, only Whitney Houston and Lauryn Hill have won this prestigious award.
If Beyoncé triumphs, she will become just the fourth Black woman to join this elite group.
Ultimately, what happens Sunday from the Crypto.com Arena?
It really is anyone’s guess.
Tune in on CBS to watch, starting at 8 p.m.
ET (5 p.m.
PT).
What do *you* think, will this finally be Beyoncés year?
The 2025 Grammy Awards is more than just an awards show.
It’s a reflection of our current culture.
The question is, what stories will be written this year?
What history will be made?
We can’t wait to see it all play out.
The show will be airing for three and a half hours, so, grab some popcorn and buckle up for a wild ride!
Frequently Asked Questions about the 2025 Grammy Awards
When are the 2025 Grammy Awards?
The 67th Annual Grammy Awards will take place on Sunday, February 2nd, at 8 p.m.
ET (5 p.m.
PT).
What time does the red carpet coverage start?
The Grammy Live From The Red Carpet special and E!’s red carpet coverage, Live From E!
2025 Grammys, both start at 6 p.m.
ET.
Who is nominated for Album of the Year?
The nominees for Album of the Year are diverse, including Chappell Roan’s ‘The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess’, André 3000’s ‘New Blue Sun’, and Beyoncé’s ‘Cowboy Carter’ among others.
How many nominations does Beyoncé have this year?
Beyoncé leads the nominations with 11 nods for ‘Cowboy Carter’, bringing her total to a record-breaking 99 nominations.
Has Beyoncé ever won Album of the Year?
No, despite numerous nominations and 32 Grammy wins, Beyoncé has never won Album of the Year.
Where can I watch the Grammy Awards?
You can watch the Grammy Awards on CBS, and the red carpet coverage on grammy.com, the Recording Academy’s social media pages and E!.
The Grammy’s Legacy and Beyoncé’s Potential Breakthrough
The 2025 Grammy Awards are poised to be a significant event, not just for the music industry, but for the ongoing conversations about representation and recognition.
With Beyoncé’s record-breaking nominations and the anticipation surrounding her potential Album of the Year win, this year’s ceremony could mark a pivotal moment in music history.
The event is a cultural touchstone, reflecting current trends, debates, and the power of artistic impact.
Don’t Miss Out: What to do Next
- Mark your calendars for Sunday, February 2nd at 8 p.m.
ET (5 p.m.
PT) to watch the Grammys on CBS. - Tune in early at 6 p.m.
ET to catch the red carpet coverage on grammy.com, social media, or E!. - Follow the buzz and join the conversation online as the awards unfold.
