For the first time in the history of the Grammys, Black artists won in all of the big three categories!
The 67th Annual Grammy Awards took place this weekend in Los Angeles, and all our favorite stars shone brightly. The ceremony featured a tribute to Quincy Jones, with Will Smith, Stevie Wonder, Cynthia Erivo, and Janelle Monae all paying homage to the late icon. Alicia Keys received an award for her global Impact and won a Grammy for Best Musical Theater Album for her Broadway Show Hell’s Kitchen. Meanwhile, during a separate ceremony, Lifetime Achievement Awards were given to Prince, Frankie Beverly, hip hop pioneer Roxanne Shanté, and gospel legend Dr. Bobby Jones.
Other notable artists who won on music’s biggest night include Rapsody, who took home the award for Best Melodic Rap Performance for her “3:AM” record featuring Erykah Badu; Dave Chappelle, who won Best Comedy Album for The Dreamer; Jon Batiste, who took home an award for Best Music Film for American Symphony; Samara Joy who won Best Jazz Vocal Album for A Joyful Holiday, and Tank and The Bangas, who took home the award for Best Spoken Word Poetry Album for The Heart, The Mind, The Soul.
With the air overflowing with Black excellence, the night’s highlight came when Black artists swept the Big Three – Album, Song, and Record of the Year – for the first time in Grammy history simultaneously, Billboard reports. After four previous nominations in the category, Beyoncé finally secured the coveted Album of the Year award for her groundbreaking country album, Cowboy Carter, becoming the fourth Black woman in history to claim the title, alongside Natalie Cole, Whitney Houston, and Lauryn Hill. The album was a reclamation of Black artists’ foundational role in country music and a bridge between genres. This victory represents not just Beyoncé’s personal journey but a broader recognition of Black contributions to country music. The megastar ended the night with three Grammys, extending her record as the most-awarded artist in the history of the Recording Academy.
“I was not expecting this. I want to thank God that I’m able to still do what I love after so many years. I’d like to thank all of the incredible country artists that accepted this, this album; we worked so hard on it. I think sometimes genre is a code word to keep us in our place as artists, and just want to encourage people to do what they’re passionate about,” said Beyoncé during her acceptance speech.
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Rapper Doechii also took home a monumental win for her mixtape Alligator Bites Never Heal, claiming Best Rap Album and making history as only the third woman ever to win in the category, alongside Lauryn Hill and Cardi B. In a full-circle moment, Cardi B presented her with the award, further emphasizing women’s growing presence and recognition in rap.
“This category was introduced in 1989, and…three women have won: Lauryn Hill, Cardi B and Doechii. I put my heart and my soul into this mixtape. I bared my life. I went through so much…and God told me I would be rewarded, and he would show me just how good it could get…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!” said the TDE artist while thanking her mother, fans, label, and hometown of Tampa, Florida.
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Still, Kendrick Lamar emerged as the night’s biggest winner, sweeping the award show by winning in every category he was nominated. He took home the awards for Record of the Year and Song of the Year for his seismic hit, “Not Like Us.” This marks only the second time in history that a rap song has won in either category, following Childish Gambino’s “This Is America” in 2019.
Lamar’s wins highlight not just his lyrical brilliance but the power of hip-hop to define cultural moments. He also made history as the first artist to win Best Music Video three times, and adding to his achievements, he won Best Rap Performance for a record-extending seventh time and Best Rap Song for the fifth time, second only to Kanye West. Lamar dedicated his win to his late aunt and the city of Los Angeles while acknowledging those impacted by the wildfires.
“I can’t give enough thanks to these places that I’ve rode around since high school. Most importantly, the people and the families out in the Palisades and Altadena. This is a true testament that we can continue to restore the city,” said Lamar.
Jay-Z, Beyoncé’s longtime collaborator and husband, also made history, winning his 25th Grammy for his songwriting contributions to Cowboy Carter. This win establishes him as the most-awarded rap artist in Grammy history, surpassing West. Meanwhile, Cowboy Carter also won Best Country Album, making Beyoncé the first Black artist to ever win in that category.
The 67th Annual Grammy Awards will be remembered as a night where barriers were broken, and history was made. Beyoncé, Kendrick Lamar, and Doechii’s wins are more than just accolades; they are affirmations of Black excellence, resilience, and the power of music to transcend boundaries. For the first time in the history of the Recording Academy, the Grammys were diverse, equitable, and inclusive.
Cover photo: Beyoncé, Doechii & Kendrick Lamar Make History at the 67th Annual Grammy Awards/Photo credit: Recording Academy/Instagram