Beyoncé Clinches Album of the Year at Grammy Awards with ‘Cowboy Carter’
This year at the Grammy Awards, Beyoncé Knowles-Carter secured the top honor of the evening, earning her first-ever album of the year award for her recent album “Cowboy Carter.”
“I feel so grateful and honored right now,” Beyoncé expressed on stage, standing alongside her daughter Blue Ivy Carter. “It has taken many years to get here, and I want to thank the Grammys, every songwriter, collaborator, and producer, for all the dedication and hard work.”
She acknowledged one person specifically.
“I dedicate this to Miss Martell, and I aspire for us to continue to advance and break barriers,” she remarked.
Linda Martell, aged 83, made history as the first Black female artist to perform solo at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville back in 1969. Renowned for hits like “Color Him Father” and “Bad Case of the Blues,” Martell paved the way for women of color in country music. Beyoncé featured Martell in her work for “Cowboy Carter,” showcasing her in the songs “Spaghetti” and “The Linda Martell Show.”
In Grammy history, only three Black women have achieved the album of the year award: Natalie Cole in 1992, Whitney Houston in 1994, and Lauryn Hill in 1999. Previously, Beyoncé had been nominated four times for her albums “I Am…Sasha Fierce,” “Beyoncé,” “Lemonade,” and “Renaissance.”
Before stepping down from the stage, Beyoncé shared an emotional embrace with Blue Ivy, while her husband Jay-Z clinked glasses with fellow nominee Taylor Swift from the audience.
Host Trevor Noah made a light-hearted comment to conclude the evening.
“Well, it finally happened, everyone. Beyoncé has won album of the year,” he quipped. “Earlier, I was thinking, Jay, she had 99 nominations, and now she finally has an album win.”
Winning album of the year marked Beyoncé’s third victory of the night. She kicked off the event by winning best country duo/group performance for “II Most Wanted” with Miley Cyrus. The singer of “16 Carriages” also clinched the award for best country album for “Cowboy Carter,” making her the first Black woman to receive this honor.
Moreover, “Cowboy Carter” is here to stay, as Beyoncé announced a 2025 tour for the album just before midnight the previous night.
2025 Album of the Year Nominees
- André 3000: “New Blue Sun”
- Beyoncé: “Cowboy Carter” (WON)
- Sabrina Carpenter: “Short n’ Sweet”
- Charli XCX: “Brat”
- Jacob Collier: “Djesse Vol. 4”
- Billie Eilish: “Hit Me Hard and Soft”
- Chappell Roan: “The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess”
- Taylor Swift: “The Tortured Poets Department”
With her latest success, Beyoncé has now become the most awarded artist in Grammy history and leads the nominations for the upcoming 2025 award show with a total of 11 nods. This includes nominations in the Country & American roots categories for the first time.
This achievement cements her status as the artist with the most nominations ever, totaling 99 throughout her career. She was formerly tied with her husband Jay-Z at 88 nominations.
Complete List of Beyoncé’s 2025 Grammy Nominations
- Record of the year: “Texas Hold ‘Em”
- Album of the year: “Cowboy Carter” (WON)
- Song of the year: “Texas Hold ‘Em”
- Best pop solo performance: “Bodyguard”
- Best pop duo/group performance: “Levii’s Jeans” featuring Post Malone
- Best melodic rap performance: “Spaghettii” featuring Linda Martell and Shaboozey
- Best country solo performance: “16 Carriages”
- Best country duo/group performance: “II Most Wanted” featuring Miley Cyrus (WON)
- Best country song: “Texas Hold ‘Em”
- Best country album: “Cowboy Carter” (WON)
- Best Americana performance: “Ya Ya”
Despite her groundbreaking achievements, many fans were eagerly awaiting if this would finally be the year the Grammy Awards recognized Beyoncé with the album of the year honor.
Last year, during his acceptance speech for the Dr. Dre Global Impact Award, Jay-Z criticized the Recording Academy for overlooking Beyoncé in the album of the year category, highlighting the ongoing lack of recognition for Black artists at the prestigious event.
This year was also significant as it marked the first time a Black woman received a nomination in the top category for a country album. Ray Charles was previously nominated for album of the year with “Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music” back in 1962.
Before Beyoncé, no Black female solo artist had ever received a Grammy for country music. Four years ago, Mickey Guyton became the first Black female solo artist to get recognized in a country music category when her song “Black Like Me” received a nomination.
Contributors: Audrey Gibbs and Bryan West
Follow Caché McClay, the News Network’s Beyoncé Knowles-Carter correspondent, on Instagram, TikTok, and X as @cachemcclay.
