Beyoncé won album of the year at the Grammy Awards on Sunday for the first time in her career, taking home the top honor with her country album Cowboy Carter. The victory came after four previous nominations in the category, solidifying her as the most-awarded artist in Grammy history with 35 career wins.
“I just feel very full and very honored. It’s been many, many years,” Beyoncé said on stage, standing beside her daughter, Blue Ivy Carter.
The superstar triumphed over Taylor Swift, Billie Eilish, and others in a ceremony that also served as a tribute to Los Angeles, recently ravaged by wildfires.
Kendrick Lamar dominated the night, winning record and song of the year for Not Like Us, a diss track in his feud with Drake. Lamar, who swept all five categories in which he was nominated, dedicated his awards to Los Angeles.
“This is my neck of the woods that’s held me down since I was a young pup,” Lamar said. “We are going to restore the city.”
Chappell Roan, known for Pink Pony Club, was named best new artist. She used her speech to call on record labels to provide musicians with fair wages and healthcare benefits.
“Labels—we got you, but do you got us?” she asked, recalling a time when she felt “dehumanized” by a lack of health insurance.
Taylor Swift, who holds the record for the most album of the year wins, was nominated for The Tortured Poets Department but did not take home any awards. She made one appearance on stage to present best country album, an honor that went to Beyoncé.
The ceremony, broadcast live on CBS, was also a fundraiser for those affected by the recent wildfires in California.
In a reimagined format, the event blended awards presentations with fundraising efforts. The show opened with an all-star performance of I Love LA, featuring Dawes, John Legend, Brad Paisley, St. Vincent, and Brittany Howard.
“Tonight, we are not just celebrating our favorite music. We are also celebrating the city that brought us so much of that music,” host Trevor Noah said, encouraging viewers to donate. The event raised at least $7 million.
Tributes to Los Angeles continued throughout the night. Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars performed California Dreamin’, and firefighters received a standing ovation while presenting the album of the year award.
The Grammys honored the late music producer Quincy Jones, who died in November. Stevie Wonder led a choir of students from wildfire-damaged schools in a rendition of We Are the World, and Janelle Monáe performed Michael Jackson’s Don’t Stop ’til You Get Enough in tribute.
Canadian singer The Weeknd, who had previously boycotted the Grammys over transparency concerns, made a surprise appearance with a mid-show performance.
“We have listened, we have acted, and we have changed,” Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. said. He noted that the voting body now includes a younger demographic, with 40 percent being people of color.
Grammy winners are selected by the 13,000 members of the Recording Academy, which includes singers, songwriters, producers, and engineers.
