Beyoncé has won more Grammy Awards than anyone in history, but there was always one big category missing from her trophy case: album of the year.
That changed Sunday night, as her genre-bending “Cowboy Carter” took top honors and gave her that elusive win.
“I just feel full and very, very honored,” Beyoncé said while accepting the award. “It’s been many, many years.”
Earlier in the night, Beyoncé became the first Black woman in more than 50 years to win a country Grammy when she and Miley Cyrus won the award for best country duo/group performance (“II Most Wanted”). “Cowboy Carter” also won the Grammy for best country album.
“I think sometimes genre is a cold word to keep us in our place as artists,” Beyoncé said. “And I just want to encourage people to do what they’re passionate about and stay persistent.”
Rapper Kendrick Lamar was another big winner Sunday night, as “Not Like Us” — the capstone of his feud last year with Drake — won both record of the year and song of the year.
“At the end of the day, (there is) nothing more powerful than rap music,” he said. I don’t care what it is. We are the culture. It’s going to always stay here forever.”
Comedian Trevor Noah hosted the event for the fifth straight year. This year’s telecast also focused on raising funds to support relief efforts and aid for music professionals who were impacted by the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles County. Near the end of the show, Noah said $7 million had already been raised by people watching from home.
Some of the other major winners Sunday included Chappell Roan, who won best new artist; Sabrina Carpenter, who won best pop vocal album ("Short n' Sweet”); and Doechii, who won best rap album (“Alligator Bites Never Heal”).
Beyoncé hugs her daughter after "Cowboy Carter" was announced as the album of the year winner.
Members of the Los Angeles County Fire Department are honored on stage before the final Grammy was awarded. They received a standing ovation.
Kendrick Lamar poses in the press room with all the Grammys he won on Sunday.
Queen Latifah, left, presents the Dr. Dre Global Impact Award to Alicia Keys. “This is for all the ladies that know the magic that they bring to the room,” Keys said. “This is not the time to shut down the diversity of voices. We’ve seen on this stage talented, hard-working people from different backgrounds with different points of view, and it changes the game. DEI is not a threat, it’s a gift.”
Kendrick Lamar accepts the Grammy for record of the year ("Not Like Us"). He talked about growing up in Los Angeles and the influence it had on him. “I can’t give enough thanks to these places that I rolled around since high school," he said. Later in the show, "Not Like Us" also won song of the year.
Chris Martin of Coldplay sings “All My Love” during the annual In Memoriam segment.
Former One Direction member Liam Payne is seen on screen at the start of the In Memoriam segment. Payne died last year at the age of 31.
Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars accept the Grammy for best pop duo/group performance ("Die with a Smile"). Gaga spoke out in support of the LGBTQ community. “Trans people are not invisible,” she said. “Trans people deserve love. The queer community deserves to be lifted up. Music is love.”
The crowd watches Stevie Wonder and Herbie Hancock perform on stage during the Quincy Jones tribute.
Cynthia Erivo and Hancock honor Jones with a stripped-down version of Count Basie and Frank Sinatra’s “Fly Me to the Moon.”
Will Smith introduces the Jones tribute. He said Jones was instrumental in getting "The Fresh Prince of Bel Air" on television and that he wouldn't be the star he is today without Jones. “In his 91 years, Q touched countless lives,” Smith said. “But I have to say, he changed my life forever.” This was Smith's first appearance on a major award show since his infamous slap at the 2022 Oscars.
Gracie Abrams, left, and Olivia Rodrigo talk during a break in the show.
Shakira accepts the Grammy for best Latin pop album ("Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran"). She dedicated the award to “all my immigrant brothers and sisters in this country.” She added, “You’re loved, you’re worth it and I will always fight with you."
Backup dancers for Doechii celebrate backstage.
Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars perform a cover of the 1965 song “California Dreamin’” by The Mamas & the Papas.
Chappell Roan accepts the Grammy for best new artist. She used most of her acceptance speech to advocate for developing artists. “I told myself if I ever won a Grammy and I got to stand up here in front of the most powerful people in music, I would demand that labels and the industry profiting millions of dollars off of artists would offer a livable wage and health care, especially to developing artists,” she said.
Taylor Swift dances in the audience while enjoying the show at the Crypto.com Arena.
Raye performs “Oscar Winning Tears" during the segment that featured best new artist nominees.
Billie Eilish, in the blue Los Angeles Dodgers hat, joins others applauding during the show.
Willow Smith rides on the back of her father, Will, as they enjoy the show.
Doechii, who earlier in the night won the Grammy for best rap album, performs a jazz-infused rendition of “Denial is a River."
Taylor Swift congratulates Beyoncé as she presented her with the Grammy for best country album ("Cowboy Carter"). Earlier in the night, Beyoncé became the first Black woman in more than 50 years to win a country Grammy when she and Miley Cyrus won the award for best country duo/group performance (“II Most Wanted”). “I think sometimes genre is a cold word to keep us in our place as artists,” Beyoncé said. “And I just want to encourage people to do what they’re passionate about and stay persistent.”
Sabrina Carpenter accepts the Grammy for best pop vocal album ("Short n' Sweet") on Sunday, February 2. Before the show, she also won the Grammy for best pop solo performance ("Espresso").
Troye Sivan takes a selfie with Charli XCX and George Daniel while attending the show.
Doechii accepts the Grammy for best rap album (“Alligator Bites Never Heal”). She is only the third woman, after Lauryn Hill and Cardi B, to ever win in the category. During her emotional acceptance speech, she had some inspirational words for young Black girls who were watching. "Anything is possible,” she said. “Don’t allow anybody to project any stereotypes on you that tell you you can’t be here, that you’re too dark or that you’re not smart enough or that you’re too dramatic or you’re too loud. You are exactly who you need to be to be right where you are, and I am a testimony.”
Indie rock band Dawes — whose two frontmen, brothers Taylor and Griffin Goldsmith, both lost their homes in the Eaton Fire — were joined by a star-studded group as they kicked off the show with a lively rendition of Randy Newman’s 1983 classic “I Love LA.” Performing with Dawes were John Legend, Sheryl Crow, Brad Paisley, Brittany Howard and St. Vincent.
Host Trevor Noah delivers his opening monologue. “Just a few weeks ago, we weren’t sure that this show would even happen,” he said, referring to the wildfires in Los Angeles County. “You don’t need me to tell you this, but this city has just been through one of the largest natural disasters in American history.”
Billie Eilish signs a camera on the red carpet before the start of the show on Sunday.
Sean Ono Lennon accepts a Grammy on behalf of the Beatles during the premiere ceremony held before the main show. The Beatles won best rock performance for their latest — and “last” — song, "Now and Then."
Muni Long performs "Made for Me" during the premiere ceremony on Sunday.
Chappell Roan poses on the red carpet.
Sabrina Carpenter has her dress adjusted on the red carpet.
Sierra Ferrell poses in the press room with four Grammys she won before the main show. She won Grammys for best Americana album ("Trail of Flowers"), best Americana performance ("American Dreaming"), best American roots song ("American Dreaming") and best American roots performance ("Lighthouse").
Sheryl Crow, right, poses for a selfie with fans before the show.
