Beyoncé has finally won the Grammy for Album of the Year for her country-inspired album Cowboy Carter, making history as the most nominated and most awarded artist in Grammy history.
The win, announced on Sunday at the 67th Grammy Awards, also made her the first Black woman this century to take home the prestigious prize.
“I just feel very full and very honored,” Beyoncé said as she accepted the award, with her husband, Jay-Z, and daughter, Blue Ivy, cheering in the audience at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.
She dedicated the win to Linda Martell, a Black country music pioneer featured on her album.
“I hope we just keep pushing forward, opening doors,” she added.
The 43-year-old singer also won two other Grammys on the night, including Best Country Album and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for her collaboration with Miley Cyrus.
“I really was not expecting this,” Beyoncé said while accepting the country album award. “Sometimes genre is a code word to keep us in our place as artists.”
She encouraged young artists to follow their passions, saying, “I just want to encourage people to do what they’re passionate about and to stay persistent.”
Rapper Kendrick Lamar also had a big night, winning in all five categories he was nominated for, including Record of the Year and Song of the Year for his diss track Not Like Us.
“Nothing more powerful than rap music,” Lamar said while accepting his award. “We are the culture.”
Lamar dedicated his win to his hometown, Los Angeles, which has been struggling with wildfires that have displaced thousands.
The Best New Artist award went to Chappell Roan, who had a breakout year in music. In her speech, she urged record labels to provide better pay and healthcare for artists.
“Record labels need to treat their artists as valuable employees,” Roan said. “Labels, we got you, but do you got us?”
Doechii became the third woman ever to win Best Rap Album, with Cardi B presenting her the award.
“Anything is possible,” Doechii said through tears. “Don’t allow anybody to project any stereotypes on you that tell you that you can’t be here, that you’re too dark or that you’re not smart enough, or that you’re too dramatic or too loud. You are exactly who you need to be.”
Sabrina Carpenter won Best Pop Vocal Album and delivered a lively performance of her hits Espresso and Please Please Please.
Shakira won Best Latin Pop Album and performed a mix of her classics and new songs, while Charli XCX took home three awards, including Best Dance/Electronic Album.
The awards show paid tribute to Los Angeles, which has been dealing with devastating wildfires. Host Trevor Noah announced that at least $7 million had been raised for wildfire relief during the event.
Firefighters from Los Angeles County presented Beyoncé with her Album of the Year award, while students who lost their schools in the fires joined Stevie Wonder in singing We Are the World in honor of the late Quincy Jones.
The night opened with Sheryl Crow and John Legend performing I Love LA, and Billie Eilish, wearing an LA Dodgers cap, performed Birds of a Feather.
“I love you, LA,” Eilish said as the crowd cheered.
