Saturday, March 15, 2025

2025 Grammy Awards centered on LA fires and massive wins for Chappell Roan, Beyoncé, Doechii : NPR

Chappell Roan, who won best new artist at the 67th Grammy Awards, opened up in her speech about her own struggle to get a job and access healthcare after being dropped from her first label during the pandemic.

Chappell Roan, who received finest new artist on the 67th Grammy Awards, opened up in her speech about her personal battle to get a job and entry healthcare after being dropped from her first label throughout the pandemic.

Kevin Mazur/Kevin Mazur/Getty Photographs for The/Getty Photographs North America


disguise caption

toggle caption

Kevin Mazur/Kevin Mazur/Getty Photographs for The/Getty Photographs North America

When wildfires erupted throughout Los Angeles final month, the Recording Academy confronted a tough query: whether or not or to not transfer ahead with tonight’s 67th Grammy Awards. In the end, the Academy determined canceling the ceremony can be a fair larger blow to the 1000’s of Los Angeles space residents who work on the occasion, and they also got here to the conclusion that the present would go on — with a heavy emphasis on the spirit and resilience of the town it calls house.

The Academy’s mission to pay tribute to each the town itself and all of these affected by the wildfires confirmed up as quickly because the present began with host Trevor Noah’s monologue. The band Dawes — whose members Taylor and Griffin Goldsmith misplaced their houses within the fires — was backed by John Legend, Sheryl Crow and Brittany Howard to carry out a canopy of Randy Newman’s “I Love L.A.” Shortly after, host Trevor Noah launched LA native Billie Eilish. Decked out in a Los Angeles Dodgers hat and assembled in opposition to a backdrop of the Southern California mountains, the 23-year-old singer and her brother Finneas infused new that means into their haunting, borderline-creepy love music, “Birds of a Feather,” which is up for each music of the yr and file of the yr.

Finneas and Billie Eilish perform onstage during the 67th Annual GRAMMY Awards.

Finneas and Billie Eilish carry out onstage throughout the 67th Annual GRAMMY Awards.

John Shearer/Getty Photographs for The Recording A/Getty Photographs North America


disguise caption

toggle caption

John Shearer/Getty Photographs for The Recording A/Getty Photographs North America

However the dedication to Los Angeles was not solely restricted to musical performances. Along with fundraising efforts highlighted by Noah all through the present, the Academy determined to include quick clips of small enterprise homeowners who’re an important a part of the native economic system, reminiscent of a floral designer who launched her store’s mission alongside Grammy winner Doja Cat.

Within the first win of the evening, Florida multihyphenate Doechii shouted out the lengthy legacy of Black girls in hip-hop and the inventive prowess behind her hometown of Tampa as she accepted the Grammy for finest rap album. Her mixtape, Alligator Bites By no means Heal, additionally earned her nominations for finest new artist and finest rap efficiency.

Doechii accepts the best rap album award for Alligator Bites Never Heal at the 67th Grammy awards.

Doechii accepts one of the best rap album award for Alligator Bites By no means Heal on the 67th Grammy awards.

Amy Sussman/Getty Photographs/Getty Photographs North America


disguise caption

toggle caption

Amy Sussman/Getty Photographs/Getty Photographs North America

The latter class represented one of the crucial aggressive races of the ceremony. Following an electrical dwell rendition of her breakout single “Pink Pony Membership” earlier within the present, Chappell Roan beat out fellow nominees Sabrina Carpenter, Benson Boone, Teddy Swims, Raye, Khruangbin and Doechii, who additionally delivered one of the crucial memorable performances of the evening.

In Roan’s acceptance speech, the “Midwest Princess” instantly criticized the music trade whereas advocating for livable wages for rising artists. She opened up about her personal battle to get a job and entry healthcare after being dropped from her first label throughout the pandemic. “It was so devastating to really feel so dedicated to my artwork and really feel so betrayed by the system,” she stated. “Labels, we obtained you. However do you bought us?”

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 02: Beyoncé accepts the Best Country Album award for "COWBOY CARTER" onstage during the 67th Annual GRAMMY Awards at Crypto.com Arena on February 02, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for The Recording Academy)

Beyoncé accepts one of the best nation album award for COWBOY CARTER.

Kevin Mazur/Kevin Mazur/Getty Photographs for The/Getty Photographs North America


disguise caption

toggle caption

Kevin Mazur/Kevin Mazur/Getty Photographs for The/Getty Photographs North America

One other key second of the evening arrived when Beyoncé — with what seemed to be real bewilderment — accepted the Grammy for finest nation album for COWBOY CARTER after it was notably shut out of the Nation Music Affiliation Awards final yr.

Throughout the earlier premiere ceremony, Kendrick Lamar kicked off an early sweep for his music “Not Like Us,” additionally successful finest rap music and finest music video. The diss monitor, which was thought-about the definitive mic drop in Lamar’s ongoing beef with Drake, can also be up for file of the yr and music of the yr. Lamar’s album GNX, which he launched in November, isn’t eligible for tonight’s Grammys.

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 02: Sabrina Carpenter performs onstage during the 67th Annual GRAMMY Awards at Crypto.com Arena on February 02, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by John Shearer/Getty Images for The Recording Academy)

Sabrina Carpenter performs onstage throughout the 67th Annual GRAMMY Awards.

John Shearer/Getty Photographs for The Recording A/Getty Photographs North America


disguise caption

toggle caption

John Shearer/Getty Photographs for The Recording A/Getty Photographs North America

Sabrina Carpenter additionally scored early wins for finest pop vocal album and finest pop solo efficiency for “Espresso.” The 25-year-old carried out a medley of hits from Quick n’ Candy, her sixth studio album and industrial breakthrough. Different notable winners of the evening from the sooner ceremony embody Nashville darling Sierra Ferrell (finest Americana album, finest Americana roots music, finest Americana efficiency and finest Americana roots efficiency) and St. Vincent (finest rock music, finest different music efficiency, and finest different music album).

Related Articles

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Latest Articles