[Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images/]
On February 2nd, 2025, in Los Angeles, California the 67th Annual Grammy Awards was held. The Grammys is an award show that recognizes achievements within music, it is organized by the Recording Academy and it honors artists, producers, and other musical professionals. A Grammy is considered the highest award in music, winners receive a golden gramophone trophy.
It was a big night for Black artist in the music industry last night. Houston, TX and 3rd Ward native Beyoncé made history by winning “Album of the Year” for her 2024 country album Cowboy Carter. Beyonce is the most decorated artist in Grammy history, she has 35 wins and 99 nominations. However, she had never won album of the year with 4 losses in that category. After her win, host Trevor Noah said, “We finally saw it happen everyone.”
During her acceptance speech she dedicated her award to Linda Martell, Martell is the first successful Black female artist in the country music genre. Martell is also the first Black woman to perform at the Grand Ole Opry, (a music venue in Nashville, TN.) “It’s been many, many years. I want to dedicate this to Ms. Martell”, she said.” She also took home two additional Grammy awards, one of those awards being “Best Country Album” for Cowboy Carter, making her the first Black woman to win that category.
New rap artist, Doechii made history by winning Best Rap Album for her mixtape “Alligator Bites Never Heal.” She’s the third woman to ever do so since the award was created 36 years ago in 1989. The other two women are Lauryn Hill and Cardi B. Cardi B was the previous winner, she won in 2019 for her album “Invasion of Privacy”, she presented Doechii with her award. Before Cardi B’s win in 2019, Lauryn Hill held the title of being the only woman to receive the award for 20 years. Hill won in 1999 for her album “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill.”
In her speech Doechii said she dedicated herself to sobriety during the making of her mixtape. “I put my heart into this mixtape, I went through so much and I dedicated myself to sobriety and God told me I would be rewarded, and He would show me just how good it can get.” At the end of her speech Doechii shouted out every Black woman watching, letting them know that anything is possible. “I know there is some Black girl out there, so many Black women out there who are watching me right now, and I want to tell you, you can do it” she said. Doechii was also nominated for Best New Artist.
Rap Artist Kendrick Lamar won in every category he was nominated in. He won Record of the Year, Best Music Video, Best Rap Song, Best Rap Performance, and Song of the Year for his diss record “Not Like Us.” In the summer of 2024, Lamar and Grammy award winning artist Drake, argued through their music, they both put out diss songs. “Not Like Us” is the first diss album to win a Grammy. Lamar dedicated his awards to his hometown Los Angeles, California. “We’re gonna dedicate this one to the city” he said.
Music has been a major part of Black history and culture for decades. Artist are multifaceted, using their creativity to make powerful award winning songs. Their music is not just for fun but it tells stories, shares feelings, represents their culture, and most importantly creates history. Their dedication to their craft should inspire people all over the world.
