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Beyoncé Grammy Wins: A Monumental Moment in Music History

Beyoncé’s long-awaited Grammys moment has finally arrived.

The wildfires that ravaged parts of Los Angeles in January sparked questions about whether the 2025 awards season, including the Grammys, should continue as planned. But on Sunday night, the Grammys proved that it could—and did—carry on.

The nearly four-hour Grammy telecast featured standout performances from Chappell Roan, Benson Boone, and Doechii, while the “Big Four” saw Chappell Roan win Best New Artist, Kendrick Lamar take Song and Record of the Year. And the biggest win? After years of making music history and racking up multiple Grammys, Beyoncé has finally snagged Album of the Year for Cowboy Carter.

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Beyoncé at the 2025 Grammys.
Kevin Winter/Getty Images for The Recording Academy

When Beyoncé’s name was called, she hugged her daughter Blue Ivy and husband Jay-Z before stepping onto the stage in a gold paisley dress to accept her Grammy.

“I just feel very full and very honored,” she said. “It’s been many, many years.”

She dedicated the win to Linda Martell, a trailblazer for Black women in country music, and expressed hope for continued progress: “I hope we just keep pushing forward [and] opening doors. God bless y’all. Thank you so much.”

This victory marks 25 years since her first Grammy nomination with Destiny’s Child.

After four previous misses, the 43-year-old artist took home the prestigious award on Sunday for her latest album, Cowboy Carter. The album, a country-infused exploration of the genre’s complex relationship with race, struck a chord with the industry. With this win, Beyoncé became only the fourth Black woman in history to receive the honor, and the first in over 25 years, joining the ranks of Lauryn Hill (1999), Whitney Houston (1994), and Natalie Cole (1992).

Beyoncé accepts the Album of the Year award for 'Cowboy Carter' with Blue Ivy Carter onstage during the 67th Annual Grammy Awards at Crypto.com Arena on Feb. 2, 2025 in Los Angeles, California.
Kevin Winter/Getty Images for The Recording Academy

Beyonce Grammy’s Wins and Losses

Beyoncé’s Grammy legacy has reached a new pinnacle, solidifying her place in history as the most decorated artist of all time. With 35 Grammy wins and 99 nominations, she holds the record as the most-awarded and most-nominated artist in Grammy history. Here are some of Beyoncé’s greatest Grammy moments, along with a few where she was undeniably snubbed.

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Beyoncé Grammy Moments: The 59th Annual Grammy Awards

At the 59th Annual Grammy Awards in 2017, Beyoncé earned two major wins, taking home the trophy for Best Music Video and Best Contemporary Album. Her visually stunning “Formation” video claimed the top spot in the music video category, while her critically acclaimed Lemonade snagged the Best Contemporary Album honor, further cementing her place as a powerhouse in both the visual and musical worlds.

Beyoncé’s Lemonade was widely considered the frontrunner for Album of the Year, but the award ultimately went to Adele’s 25. The snub sparked outrage among fans, especially considering the cultural significance and impact of Lemonade. In a surprising moment of humility, Adele herself acknowledged this, declaring that Beyoncé deserved to win, even calling Lemonade the album of her life. Despite Beyoncé’s loss, Adele’s gesture highlighted the respect and admiration that the music industry had for her work. 

Beyoncé Grammy Moments: The 52nd Annual Grammy Awards

At the 52nd Annual Grammys in 2010, Beyoncé swept the night with six wins, including Song of the Year for “Single Ladies” and Best Female R&B Vocal Performance, but was surprisingly shut out of Album of the Year, losing to Taylor Swift’s Fearless. Despite her dominance, many fans were left wondering how she could win so much yet still miss out on the top honor.

Beyonce on stage accepting the GRAMMY Award for "Halo" During Her Record-Setting Night In 2010
Photo: Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic

Beyoncé Grammy Moments: The 43rd Annual Grammy Awards

At the 2001 Grammy Awards, Beyoncé and Destiny’s Child had a breakthrough night, taking home two major awards, including Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group for “Say My Name” and Best R&B Song. The group’s success solidified their place in the music world, while Beyoncé’s growing star power was undeniable, setting the stage for her future dominance in the industry.

Destiny’s Child at the 2001 Grammys wearing matching outfits designed by Tina Knowles pic.twitter.com/qDLmLLPhNp

In the end, Beyoncé’s win with Cowboy Carter this year feels like a long-overdue acknowledgment, as she finally received the recognition she truly deserves, solidifying her legacy as one of the greatest artists of all time.
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