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2025 Grammy Awards: The unforgettable moments from music's biggest night

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The 67th Annual Grammy Awards, held on February 2, 2025, at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, celebrated moments of outstanding achievements in the music industry.

The ceremony was marked by historic wins, powerful performances, and heartfelt tributes, all set against the backdrop of recent wildfires that had impacted the city. Hosted by Trevor Noah for the fifth consecutive year, the ceremony was replete with memorable moments, celebrating musical excellence and heartfelt tributes.

Here's a rundown of the most unforgettable moments from the music's biggest night:

1. Beyoncé's Historic Win

Beyoncé achieved a career milestone by winning her first Album of the Year award for Cowboy Carter, marking her 34th Grammy win and solidifying her status as the most-awarded artist in Grammy history. She accepted the award alongside her daughter, Blue Ivy Carter, from a group of Los Angeles firefighters, honoring those who battled the recent wildfires. "I just feel very full and very honored," Beyoncé expressed emotionally. "It’s been many, many years."

2. Taylor Swift and Jay-Z's toast

In a notable audience moment, Taylor Swift and Jay-Z were seen raising a glass to Beyoncé's victory. Standing together, they watched proudly as Beyoncé and Blue Ivy took the stage. Taylor approached Jay-Z for a celebratory 'Cheers' gesture, which he gladly reciprocated. Later, Taylor was also seen catching up with Blue Ivy.

3. Babyface's Red Carpet Exit

On the red carpet, songwriter and producer Babyface was discussing the recognition of female R&B singers at the Grammys when another reporter interrupted, calling out to Chappell Roan. Observing the disruption, Babyface courteously ended his interview, saying, "Go do that," and walked away.

4. Olivia Rodrigo and Sabrina Carpenter's reunion

Dispelling long-standing rumors of discord, Olivia Rodrigo and Sabrina Carpenter shared a hug during the telecast, indicating there was no bad blood between them. Although not captured on the main broadcast, attentive fans spotted the brief but significant moment on social media.

5. Alicia Keys' tribute with her son

Alicia Keys delivered an emotional speech while accepting the Dr. Dre Global Impact Award, accompanied by her nine-year-old son, Genesis. Introduced by Queen Latifah, Alicia was lauded for her "extraordinary impact." In her speech, she emphasized the importance of diverse voices, stating, "This is not the time to shut down a diversity of voices. DEI is not a threat, it’s a gift, and the more voices, the more powerful the sound."

6. The Weeknd's surprise return

After a four-year boycott, The Weeknd made a dramatic return to the Grammy stage with an electrifying performance of Cry For Me and Timeless. His appearance followed a speech by Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr., who addressed the organization's commitment to diversity and transparency.

7. Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars' emotional performance

Opting for a heartfelt tribute, Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars performed California Dreamin as an homage to Los Angeles, still recovering from the wildfires. Their rendition captivated the audience, blending Gaga’s haunting vibrato with Bruno’s soulful harmonies.

8. Chappell Roan's candid speech

Winning Best New Artist, Chappell Roan read her acceptance speech from her journal, thanking fellow nominees and delivering a message to record labels: "Record labels need to treat their artists as valuable employees... labels, we've got you, but do you got us?"

9. Beyoncé's Country music recognition

Beyoncé further showcased her versatility by winning Best Country Album for Cowboy Carter. Accepting the award from Taylor Swift, she expressed gratitude to the country music community: "I wanna thank my beautiful family, my incredible team, and all the amazing country artists that accepted this album with open arms."

10. Sabrina Carpenter's show-stopping performance

Sabrina Carpenter delivered a dynamic performance, starting with a jazzed-up rendition of Espresso before transitioning into Please Please Please. Her set featured a tap dance break and costume change, highlighting her versatility and stage presence.

11. Taylor Swift's subtle statement

Taylor Swift turned heads in a ruby-red mini dress, complemented by a jeweled garter with a 'T' charm on her left thigh. Fans speculated on the significance of the charm, debating whether it referenced herself, her boyfriend Travis Kelce, or her upcoming album, Tortured Poets Department.

12. Will Smith's return to the stage

Marking his first major awards show appearance in three years, Will Smith introduced a tribute to legendary producer Quincy Jones. Dressed in a sleek black suit, Will appeared poised and confident, honoring the man who played a pivotal role in launching his acting career.

13. Kanye West and Bianca Censori's brief appearance

Kanye West made a notable return to the Grammys after nearly a decade, accompanied by his wife, Bianca Censori. Bianca's revealing ensemble drew attention, but their appearance was short-lived as they were reportedly escorted off the premises due to a lack of official invitation.

14. Posthumous honor for Jimmy Carter

The late former U.S. President Jimmy Carter was honored posthumously, receiving his fourth Grammy win in recognition of his storytelling and faith contributions.

15. Early winners

One of those proud moments of the night was because there were early winners at the 67th Grammy Awards. This included Sabrina Carpenter, who won Best Pop Solo Performance for her hit song Espresso, beating strong contenders like Beyoncé’s Bodyguard and Billie Eilish’s Birds of a Feather. Beyoncé also made history by securing her first country music Grammy for II Most Wanted, a collaboration with Miley Cyrus. Additionally, Amy Allen achieved a groundbreaking milestone as the first woman to win the Songwriter of the Year (Non-Classical) award.

16. Firefighters honored

Members of the Los Angeles County Fire Department presented the Album of the Year award and received a standing ovation. The Grammys reimagined the telecast to raise funds for those affected by the wildfires, with firefighter Anthony C. Marrone expressing gratitude on behalf of the department.

17. Tems' historic win

Nigerian singer Tems secured her second Grammy win in the Best African Music Performance category for Love Me JeJe, becoming the most awarded Nigerian artist in Grammy history. In her emotional acceptance speech, she dedicated the award to her mother, whose birthday coincided with the ceremony.

The 67th Grammy Awards celebrated moments and musical achievements, honored resilience, and highlighted the industry's ongoing commitment to diversity and inclusion.

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