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Global music star Shakira has added another award to her illustrious career, taking home the Grammy for best Latin pop album for “Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran.”
According to the man running it, the Grammys has made some improvements.
Harvey Mason Jr., chief executive officer of the Recording Academy and MusiCares, took to the stage Sunday night to address what had been a bumpy road for the award show.
“When I took on this role back in 2020, I wanted the organization to change and modernize so we could be better and serve this dynamic and global music community,” Mason said. “But my early days were not exactly straightforward. The Academy faced some real criticism for many in our music community.”
One of those critics was acclaimed singer The Weeknd. Mason said he remembered “waking up to the headlines that the Weeknd called out the Academy for lack of transparency in our awards” adding that the Canadian R&B and pop star “went so far as to announce he was boycotting the Grammys.”
Since then, Mason said, the Academy has made some changes and “remade our membership, adding more than 3,000 women voting members.”
“The Grammy electorate is now younger, nearly 40% people of color, and 66% of our members are new,” Mason said. “Since we started our transformation this year, the 13,000 voting members of the Academy nominated their peers and voted for the winners that you’re seeing on this stage tonight. It’s a system rooted in fairness, integrity, and the principle that every voice in our community matters.”
And as proof that times are changing, he welcomed The Weeknd back to the Grammys stage Sunday night.
Five years after the Grammys paid tribute to the late musician Prince, he has received their lifetime achievement award.
The legendary singer and songwriter was part of a group including Frankie Beverly, Roxanne Shanté and Dr. Bobby Jones who were honored at the Special Merit Awards Ceremony on Saturday. The CBS broadcast just played a video package highlighting the honorees.
Prince was honored in 2020 during a Grammys special, “Let’s Go Crazy: The Grammy Tribute to Prince.” During his lifetime, he had 38 Grammy nominations and seven wins.
Some background: Prince, known for his eclectic sound, glittery wardrobe and provocative lyrics, died in 2016 at the age of 57. Toxicology tests later concluded that he died from an accidental overdose of the opioid fentanyl, according to a report on his death by the Midwest Medical Examiner’s Office.
Prince’s music transcended genres and generations. When his death was announced, there was an outpouring of grief as fans paid tribute to the singer who masterfully blended rock, R&B, jazz, funk and pop.
Some of Prince’s most famous hits included “Let’s Go Crazy,” “Nothing Compares 2 U” and “When Doves Cry.” He sold millions of records, but he also touched and inspired artists all along the musical spectrum.
Check out more photos from his career.
In a nod to Los Angeles, a theme of the evening, collaborators Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars took the Grammys stage to perform a pared down cover of the 1965 song “California Dreamin’” by The Mamas & the Papas.
Mars donned a cowboy hat and a tan suit while Lady Gaga wore a cream-colored knit hat and a retro maxi dress adorned with a black bow at the waist.
Gaga and Mars are nominated for two Grammys this year, for their 2024 hit “Die With a Smile.” The duo earned nods in the song of the year and best pop duo/group performance categories.
Their throwback song choice at the Grammys appeared to be a tribute to the city of Los Angeles, following the deadly and devastating wildfires that ripped through the region last month. Throughout the evening, host Trevor Noah has been asking viewers and audience members to donate to several charities that the Grammys are supporting.
Chappell Roan has won best new artist at the 2025 Grammy Awards — a particularly impressive feat this year, given a crowded field of chart-topping performers.
She thanked the other nominees in the category, whose music she said “got me through this past year,” adding a special shoutout to Charli XCX’s album “Brat.”
The “Pink Pony Club” singer also thanked her fans, friends and family, as well as her record label.
Roan used the majority 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,” Roan said.
The singer’s plea garnered a wave of applause.
About the artist: Roan’s debut album “The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess” topped the Billboard 200 Chart, only second to Taylor Swift. She performed to record-breaking crowds at festivals like Lollapalooza and Austin City Limits, and she also won best new artist at the MTV Video Music Awards.
Roan quickly became known for her drag-inspired live performance costumes and glam, and is an outspoken advocate for the LGBTQ+ community, as someone who has publicly identified as queer.
The singer has been outspoken out about the challenges she has experienced with rising to a huge level of fame so quickly, and being outspoken on social issues.
CNN’s Elizabeth Wagmeister contributed reporting.
With all the conversation about ending diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, here comes the women serving it up at Sunday night’s Grammys.
Not only did women like Billie Eilish, Sabrina Carpenter and Chappell Roan turn out some amazing performances early in the show, but women like Carpenter and the groundbreaking rapper Doechii have also dominated in the early wins.
Doechii became only the third woman (behind Lauryn Hill and Cardi B) to ever win rap album of the year, and that was just the start of some of the history made.
Beyoncé followed up her pre-show win — becoming the first Black woman in more than 50 years to win a country Grammy for best duo/group performance with Miley Cyrus in “II Most Wanted” — by winning best country album of the year for her “Cowboy Carter.”
Queen Bey seemed legitimately shocked by the win, which was a lovely way to kick off Black History Month.
Shaboozey, who is nominated for best new artist this year, performed his hit “A Bar Song (Tipsy).”
The song is also nominated for song of the year.
The performance had the crowd up on their feet as dancers in cowboy hats accompanied Shaboozey – who is also featured on Beyoncé’s “Cowboy Carter” – on stage.
“A Bar Song (Tipsy)” is also nominated for best country solo performance.
Raye, another nominee for best new artist, also performed. With strings and horns section behind her, she sang a rendition of her song “Oscar Winning Tears.”
She closed out a series of performances by those nominated in that category – including Doechii, Benson Boone, Teddy Swims and Khruangbin.
Sabrina Carpenter and Chappell Roan, also best new artist nominees, performed earlier in the ceremony.
This post has been updated with details from Raye’s performance.
With a sparkling grill and massive flowers on his coat, Teddy Swims joined the new artist nominees in performing their hits at the Grammys.
Swims, who is known for his soulful tone, sang his hit, “Lose Control.”
Part of the fun with the Grammy performances is watching who in the audience is singing along, and Swims had more than a few on their feet mouthing the words.
Along with Swims, Benson Boone, Sabrina Carpenter, Doechii, Khruangbin, Raye, Chappell Roan and Shaboozey were also nominated in the best new artist category.
Donning signature cornrows, Doechii commanded the stage during a medley performance of songs from her now Grammy Award-winning album “Alligator Bites Never Heal.”
The “best new artist” nominee showed off eccentric moves while an army of suit-wearing dancers displayed geometric formations alongside her.
At the conclusion of her energetic performance, Doechii tore away her grey suit ensemble to reveal a red white and blue underwear set underneath. She performed a jazz-infused rendition of “Denial is a River” on a moving stage before hitting her final pose.
Stars in the audience – including SZA, Jay Z and Billie Eilish – could be seen cheering her on following the lively performance.
Benson Boone needed a little help with a quick costume change during his Grammys performance.
Boone enlisted comedian Nikki Glaser and model Heidi Klum, who helped rip off his jacket to reveal a light blue body suit before the singer hopped up on stage to complete his song.
The Grammy nominee performed his popular song “Beautiful Things,” leaving the audience breathless while perfectly hitting those falsetto notes — and adding some acrobatics for good measure.
Boone is nominated for one Grammy, his first-ever, for best new artist. Boone released his debut album “Fireworks & Rollerblades” last year.
We’re currently seeing a stretch of back-to-back performances from nominees in the category.
Beyoncé has just won the Grammy Award for best country album.
The stars at Crypto.com Arena erupted into a standing ovation as she walked to the stage to accept the award recognizing her album, “Cowboy Carter.”
“Wow, I really was not expecting this,” she said while accepting the historic award, presented by one Taylor Swift.
Beyoncé went on to thank country artists, her family, the collaborators on the album, her fans and God for letting her be “able to still do what I love after so many years.”
The megastar ended her speech offering advice.
“I think sometimes genre is a cold word to keep us in our place as artists,” she said. “And I just want to encourage people to do what they’re passionate about and stay persistent.”
Swift presented Bey the historic award, and noted her past wins in the category. She hugged Beyoncé before departing the stage.
About the album: “Cowboy Carter” is genre-defying, as it blends pop, country, R&B, zydeco and other sounds.
Last year, it topped the Billboard 200 Albums chart, marking Beyoncé’s eighth time doing so. In February of 2024, she also made history when one of the debut singles from the album, “Texas Hold ‘Em,” captured the top spot on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart.
CNN’s Lisa Respers France contributed reporting.
Moments after Kanye West and his partner Bianca Censori made a jaw-dropping appearance on the Grammys red carpet for her sheer attire, reports swirled that the couple were escorted out of the award show.
However, a source familiar with the sequence of events told CNN that the reports were false.
“He was not escorted out,” the source told CNN. “He’s a nominee. He walked the carpet and got in his car and left.”
West was nominated Sunday in the best rap song category for “Carnival.”
He and Censori caused quite a stir entering the event when Censori removed her coat in front of cameras to reveal a see-through dress.
The Recording Academy and CBS did not immediately respond to CNN’s request for comment.
West’s red carpet appearance comes after the rapper shared a series of profane and seemingly random posts on X on Saturday night, including a sexualized post about former vice president Kamala Harris.
CNN has reached out to a representative for West.
In true Chappell Roan fashion, the pop singer made a splashy debut during her first-ever Grammy performance with her popular hit “Pink Pony Club.”
In a sparkly and studded corset, Roan sat atop – yes – a pink pony to sing the first verse of the soaring song while her backup dancers, dressed as clown cowboys, accompanied her in the background. Roan had everyone in the audience on their feet, singing and dancing along with her.
Roan’s performance was introduced by singer Olivia Rodrigo, who Roan served as the supporting act for along the first leg of her Guts tour in 2024.
Roan had a meteoric rise to fame in 2024, drawing in record-breaking crowds to several music festival appearances throughout the year and marking chart-topping milestones with her debut album “The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess.” The album topped the Billboard 200 Chart, only second to Taylor Swift, and she won best new artist at the MTV Video Music Awards.
The Missouri native is nominated for six Grammys, including for album of the year and best new artist.
If Roan does anything tonight, it’s certain that she’ll keep us dancin’.
It’s a Grammy win for pop sensation Sabrina Carpenter, who just took home the award for best pop vocal album.
Carpenter is making a splash at her first Grammys, with several nominations in major categories and an earlier win for best pop solo performance, which was announced during the pre-show.
Carpenter’s “Short n’ Sweet” propelled her to stardom last year. She talked about how much the album meant to her in her acceptance speech, thanking her fans, her team and her family.
“This is so special to me and ‘Short ‘n Sweet’ means the world,” she said.
Earlier this hour, the pop star performed a rendition of her hit “Espresso,” which was Spotify’s most-streamed song globally with over 1.6 billion plays in 2024. She joked after coming back on stage to accept her award that she was still out of breath.
“I feel so lucky to be able to come together and do something so special and beautiful and celebrate music,” Carpenter added.
In 2024, Carpenter went from a supporting act on Taylor Swift’s “Eras” mega-tour to a leading lady herself, with her endearingly silly, sexy songs topping the charts. Carpenter stuffs a dozen double entendres and innuendos into each track on “Short n’ Sweet.”
CNN’s Scottie Andrew contributed reporting.
Doechii has won the Grammy for best rap album, taking home the award for her album “Alligator Bites Never Heal.” This is her first Grammy Award.
“I put my heart and my soul into this mixtape,” she said while tearfully accepting the award. “I bared my life. I went through so much. I dedicated myself to sobriety and God told me that I would be rewarded.”
The rapper went on to reflect on the history of women winning in this category.
“This category was introduced in 1989 and two women have won,” she said before correcting herself. “Three women have won! Lauryn Hill, Cardi B and Doechii.”
She went on to thank an array of people including her mother, her label, her engineer as well as her fans. And Doechii concluded her speech offering words of inspiration.
“I know that there is some Black girl out there, so many Black women out there, that were watching me right now and I want to tell you. 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.”
The category is reserved for albums containing greater than 75% playing time of new rap recordings, according to the Recording Academy.
Rapper Cardi B presented the award. Many major artists have already won awards during the pre-show.
Sabrina Carpenter dazzled us all with her Grammy performance.
She started the performance with a jazzy rendition of her mega pop hit “Espresso,” a song for which she’s earned multiple Grammy nods, and managed a quick outfit change in the middle of it all.
Carpenter also snuck in a verse from other wildly popular song “Please Please Please” during the performance, which included dozens of backup dancers carrying her around a set with a large all-blue staircase.
The former Disney star is nominated for six Grammys, including all four “big four” categories – album, record and song of year and best new artist.
In 2024, Carpenter went from a supporting act on Taylor Swift’s “Eras” mega-tour to a leading lady herself, with her endearingly silly, sexy songs topping the charts. Carpenter stuffs a dozen double entendres and innuendos into each track on “Short n’ Sweet.”
“Espresso,” arguably last year’s song of summer, was Spotify’s most-streamed song globally with over 1.6 billion plays in 2024.
CNN’s Scottie Andrew contributed reporting.
The Grammys is giving some of its advertisement time to local Los Angeles businesses, the show’s host Trevor Noah explained.
As the ceremony was heading into its first commercial break of the night, Noah said many of the ads that would play will be promoting small businesses.
“They’re very important because they pay for the show,” Noah said of the advertisements. “In fact, these commercials can be very expensive. So that gave us an idea. Tonight the Grammys are giving some of its airtime to local LA businesses who have been hit hardest by the disaster, and they can use our support.”
It’s part of the Grammys’ focus on raising money and helping those affected by the deadly wildfires in Los Angeles county last month. The Recording Academy previously announced that it changed its Grammy week schedule and the telecast itself to center more on fundraising opportunities.
Noah said the ceremony also featured local touches, like the flowers on the tables which came from a small business.
On a night of tributes to first responders and the victims of LA’s recent wildfires, numerous guests arrived on the Grammys red carpet wearing all black. Among them were some of the ceremony’s most anticipated arrivals, from Miley Cyrus in a leather Saint Laurent gown to Olivia Rodrigo in a slinky halter neck Versace number. Lady Gaga set a somber tone in a dramatic long-sleeved dress, but guests like Benson Boone had fun with the trend too.
See more on red carpet looks here.
Billie Eilish has always been a darling of the Grammys.
Therefore it was no shock to see her being one of the first performers of the night, appearing with her brother and frequent collaborator Finneas O’Connell to perform her hit, “Birds of a Feather.”
The ubiquitous song was all over social media, especially TikTok, last year and it was great to see Taylor Swift, Cynthia Erivo and others dancing to the jam in the Grammys audience.
Eilish ended her performance — which included what appeared to be childhood photos of her and her brother — declaring her love for Los Angeles.
Grammys host Trevor Noah knows that tonight “is not just about music” after several wildfires ripped through Los Angeles last month, and he’s asking everyone to pitch in and help.
Before introducing Angelenos Billie Eilish and Finneas O’Connell’s performance at the show, Noah kept things light while speaking about a serious topic when it came to asking viewers, and everyone else in the room, to donate while celebrating the music.
“All night long, we’re also going to be raising funds for MusiCares Fire Relief, which is supporting the amazing work of MusiCares and three other fantastic charities,” Noah said.
Those three other charities are Direct Relief, California Community Foundation and Pasadena Community Foundation.
“We’re asking everyone here to give as much as you can and as generously as you can,” Noah added.
