The 2025 Grammy Award nominations are in, and it’s officially Beyoncé’s world! The international superstar leads the pack with a staggering 11 nominations, propelling her career total to a record-breaking 99. This milestone makes her the most nominated artist in Grammy history, a testament to her enduring influence across genres.
Beyoncé’s album “Renaissance” is vying for Album of the Year and Country Album of the Year, while her song “Texas Hold ‘Em” is nominated for Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Country Song of the Year. This year marks her first foray into the country and Americana categories, demonstrating her versatility and expanding reach.
Previously, Beyoncé and her husband Jay-Z shared the top spot for most career nominations with 88. If she takes home the coveted Album of the Year award, Beyoncé will become the first Black woman to achieve this honor in the 21st century. The last Black woman to win in this category was Lauryn Hill in 1999 for her album “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill,” joining Natalie Cole and Whitney Houston as the only Black women to secure the Grammys’ top prize.
Post Malone is another artist making headlines this year, earning his first-ever nominations in the country categories. His debut country album, “F-1 Trillion,” released in August, is nominated for Country Album of the Year, and his collaboration with Morgan Wallen, “I Had Some Help,” is nominated for Country Song of the Year and Country Duo/Group Performance. These nominations mark Wallen’s first Grammy nods as well.
Following closely behind Beyoncé with seven nominations are Kendrick Lamar, Taylor Swift, and Doechii, who is receiving her first nominations as a solo artist. Lamar’s album “Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers,” released during his public feud with Drake, is nominated for Record of the Year, Song of the Year, Rap Song, Music Video, and Best Rap Performance. He’s also nominated twice for Best Rap Performance, a first in his career, with his collaboration with Future & Metro Boomin on “Like That” and his own song “Not Like Us.” This is his third time receiving two simultaneous nominations for Best Rap Song.
Swift, a seasoned Grammy nominee, earned her seventh career nomination for Album of the Year with her album “Speak Now (Taylor’s Version).” Her album is up against a diverse range of artists in the Album of the Year category, including André 3000’s new age, alt-jazz “New Blue Sun,” multi-instrumentalist Jacob Collier’s “Djesse Vol. 4,” rising pop stars Carpenter and Roan with “Short n’ Sweet” and “The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess” respectively, Billie Eilish’s “Hit Me Hard and Soft,” and Charli XCX’s “Crash.” Eilish is the only artist with their first three albums nominated for Album of the Year.
Last year, women artists dominated the major categories, and this trend continues somewhat in 2025. However, the main theme seems to be a shift in genre, showcasing a wider range of musical styles. The Best New Artist category features an exciting mix of rising stars: Carpenter, Roan, Benson Boone, Doechii, Khruangbin, RAYE, Shaboozey, and Teddy Swims.
The Song of the Year category is packed with talent, featuring Beyoncé with “Birds of a Feather,” Swift and Post Malone with “Fortnight,” Roan’s “Good Luck, Babe!,” Carpenter’s “Please Please Please,” Lamar’s “Not Like Us,” Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars’ “Die With A Smile,” and Shaboozey’s “A Bar Song (Tipsy).” Shaboozey, a first-time nominee, is also nominated in the Melodic Rap Performance category for his feature on Beyoncé’s “SPAGHETTII.” The song also features Linda Martell, the first commercially-successful Black woman musician in country, who receives her first Grammy nomination at the age of 83.
For Record of the Year, Beyoncé’s “Texas Hold ‘Em” faces competition from Swift and Post Malone’s “Fortnight,” Eilish’s “Birds of a Feather,” Lamar’s “Not Like Us,” Roan’s “Good Luck, Babe!,” Carpenter’s “Espresso,” Charli XCX’s “360,” and the Beatles’ last new song, “Get Back.”
While the nominations showcase a diverse range of artists and genres, a notable absence remains. Latin music, one of the fastest-growing streaming genres in the United States, continues to lack representation in the major categories. The Best Música Mexicana Album category only features four entries, despite its popularity. Additionally, K-Pop is notably absent, with no nominations for BTS members who released solo material this year, including RM’s “Right Place, Wrong Person,” J-Hope’s “Hope on the Street, Vol. 1,” and Jimin’s “Muse.” As a boy band, BTS has received five Grammy nominations throughout their career.
With a mix of established artists and fresh faces, the 2025 Grammy Awards promise to be a thrilling night of music and recognition. Who will take home the coveted trophies? Stay tuned to find out!
