Kaylah Walton
Beyoncé has successfully secured the coveted album of the year award at the 2025 Grammy Awards, marking a significant achievement for both her and the Grammy organization. After being nominated four times and not winning, the 43-year-old icon took home the honor for her innovative country album, Cowboy Carter.
As she accepted the award with her daughter, Blue Ivy Carter, who is 13, Beyoncé conveyed deep appreciation. “I feel incredibly honored. It’s been many years coming, and I thank the Grammys, every songwriter, every collaborator, and every producer,” she noted, prompting emotional reactions from Billie Eilish and Lady Gaga in the audience.
Pioneering with Cowboy Carter
Beyoncé’s achievement holds great importance as she is now the first Black woman to win album of the year since Lauryn Hill achieved it back in 1999. Her album, Cowboy Carter, triumphed against strong contenders such as Billie Eilish’s Hit Me Hard and Soft, Taylor Swift’s The Tortured Poets Department, and Charli XCX’s Brat.
Although she holds the record for the most Grammy wins with 35 accolades, this marks Beyoncé’s first victory in this prestigious category. Her previous nominations included albums like I Am… Sasha Fierce (2008), Beyoncé (2013), Lemonade (2016), and Renaissance (2022), losing to notable artists such as Taylor Swift, Beck, Adele, and Harry Styles.
Addressing Past Rejections
Beyoncé openly reflected on her Grammy experiences in her music. In the track “Sweet Honey Buckiin” from Cowboy Carter, she addresses her past disappointments with lyrics: “AOTY, I ain’t win / I ain’t stuntin’ ’bout them / Take that s-t on the chin / Come back and f-k up the pen.”
Additionally, her husband, Jay-Z, previously pointed out the irony of Beyoncé being the artist with the most Grammy awards without an album of the year trophy during the 2024 ceremony, highlighting ongoing issues within the Recording Academy.
Besides the historic album of the year win, Beyoncé also claimed the award for best country album — making her the first Black artist to earn this title — and best country duo/group performance for her collaboration with Miley Cyrus on “II Most Wanted.“
