Standing ovations, red carpet looks, and golden trophies: the Grammy Awards have long been considered the pinnacle of musical achievement. But for years, critics have argued that the ceremony is less about recognizing talent and more about rewarding popularity, influence, and industry politics. This year’s show was no exception.
When the Grammys were first established in 1959, they were meant to recognize artistic and technical excellence. There have been many changes, one including the fact that the awards have grown from 28 categories in 1959 to awards in 94 categories this year, but the main difference is that the winners were selected by industry professionals rather than by commercial success.
The 2025 Grammys delivered moments of celebration and controversy alike. While the night honored many deserving artists, it also reinforced the idea that, in the world of music’s biggest award show, success can sometimes be bought.
One of the biggest wins of the night came from Kendrick Lamar, whose track “Not Like Us” dominated, earning him five Grammys and making it one of the most awarded rap songs ever. Historically, the Grammys have struggled with recognizing rap, R&B, and other genres dominated by Black artists. Kendrick Lamar’s sweep this year marked a rare moment of progress, highlighting rap’s increasing recognition in major categories.
Similarly, Doechii became only the third woman ever to win Best Rap Album, achieving the honor with her first ever nomination.
Meanwhile, Chappell Roan used her moment in the spotlight to call out record labels, demanding fair wages and better protections for artists. “Labels, we got you, but do you got us?” she asked in a speech that resonated with many in the industry.
Beyond the awards themselves, the ceremony had moments of impact. Firefighters who battled the devastating California wildfires were honored as special guests, with funds from the event going toward relief efforts, showcasing a commitment to social causes.
Despite these milestones, the Grammys’ reputation for favoritism and inconsistency remains under scrutiny. The Weeknd, who had previously boycotted the Grammys over alleged bias and the use of secret nomination committees, was in attendance this year. Back in 2021, despite the massive success of his “After Hours” album, he received zero nominations, calling the Grammys “corrupt” and vowing to never submit his music again.
This backlash led to some changes. The Recording Academy eventually eliminated its secret nomination review committees, allowing voting members to have greater influence over the final selections. While this was a step forward, questions about fairness and bias still remain.
The biggest controversy of this year’s ceremony involved Beyoncé’s win for Album of the Year. Though the most nominated artist in Grammy history with 99 nominations to her name, she had never won that award—until this year, shortly after her husband, Jay-Z, publicly criticized the Academy for its repeated snubs.
While undeniably talented, many believed her album “Cowboy Carter” did not deserve the award over artists like Billie Eilish, whose Hit Me Hard and Soft received widespread critical acclaim but went home empty-handed. Critics argue that Beyoncé’s influence in the industry played a significant role in her victory, reigniting debates about favoritism at the Grammys.
Many feel that the Grammys still have a long way to go in terms of fairness and credibility. While some changes have been made, the awards remain heavily influenced by industry politics, commercial interests, and high-profile relationships within the music business.
At its core, the Grammys were created to celebrate true musical excellence. Whether they can fully return to that original mission remains uncertain.
