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Beyoncé just did something nobody saw coming—well, except for the millions of fans who believed in her from the start.
On Sunday, February 2, she took home Best Country Album at the 2025 Grammy Awards for Cowboy Carter, a project that marked her bold and highly anticipated foray into country music.
Her reaction? Pure shock.
Standing on stage at Los Angeles’ Crypto.com Arena, the 32-time Grammy winner was visibly emotional as she accepted the award, searching for the right words to express how she felt.
“I really was not expecting this,” she said, looking out at the audience, which included her husband, Jay-Z, and some of the biggest names in the music industry.
Hang on to learn more about this event!
Beyoncé’s journey into country music hasn’t been an easy one.
Her album Cowboy Carter—released in March 2024—received huge praise from fans and topped the Billboard charts.
But when it came to country-specific award shows like the Country Music Association (CMA) Awards, she was completely shut out.
That snub sparked debates about the gatekeeping of country music and whether Black artists get the recognition they deserve in the genre.
Many pointed out that Beyoncé had done her homework, blending traditional country sounds with her own modern flair, collaborating with country legends, and proving she could go toe-to-toe with any other country artist.
Fast forward to the 2025 Grammys, and the narrative changed.
During her acceptance speech, Beyoncé took the opportunity to address something that many artists—especially those who push boundaries—can relate to.
“Sometimes I think ‘genre’ is a cold word to keep us in our place as artists,” she said, prompting a wave of applause from the audience. “I just wanna encourage people to do what they’re passionate about.”
Her words struck a chord, especially in an industry where Black artists in country music have historically faced resistance.
Even legends like Charley Pride and contemporary stars like Mickey Guyton have spoken about the challenges of gaining acceptance in the country world.
With this win, Beyoncé not only proved that country music is for everyone, but she also sent a message: artists should be free to explore whatever genres inspire them.
Another highlight of the night? The award was presented by none other than Taylor Swift.
Swift, who famously transitioned from country to pop, has faced her own share of skepticism over genre shifts in the past.
Seeing her hand the award to Beyoncé felt like a symbolic moment—one artist who successfully navigated a genre switch passing the torch to another.
Both Beyoncé and Swift are nominated for Album of the Year, making the moment even more exciting.
Ever since Beyoncé first performed “Daddy Lessons“ at the 2016 CMA Awards, fans had been waiting for her country era.
That moment finally came in 2024 with Cowboy Carter, an album that took a deep dive into country’s rich traditions while still carrying Beyoncé’s signature artistry.
The project’s lead single, “Texas Hold ‘Em,” became a Billboard No. 1 hit, proving that Beyoncé wasn’t just dipping her toes into the genre—she was making waves.
But despite its success, the album was met with resistance from some parts of the country music community, particularly from more traditionalist circles.
Some country radio stations were even hesitant to play her songs, sparking conversations about who gets to be considered “country” and why certain artists are excluded.
The Grammy win, however, changes everything.
Before taking home Best Country Album, Beyoncé had already made history earlier in the evening, winning Best Country Duo/Group Performance—her first-ever country Grammy.
That award recognized her collaboration on a country track, further solidifying her place in the genre.
Winning Best Country Album, though? That was the big one—the moment that truly cemented her impact.
If you missed the live broadcast, don’t worry—you can still catch all the highlights.
The 2025 Grammy Awards are airing on CBS, and fans can also stream the event on Paramount+.
With Album of the Year still up for grabs, all eyes are on Beyoncé to see if she can take home another huge trophy before the night is over.
Beyoncé’s Best Country Album win is more than just another trophy—it’s a statement.
She took a genre that has long been hesitant to embrace artists of color and not only made an impact but won the highest honor possible in that category.
It’s a defining moment for country music, one that proves the genre is evolving and that artists who bring something fresh and meaningful to the table deserve recognition, no matter their background.
While Cowboy Carter may have been snubbed by the CMAs, the Grammys made sure to give it the flowers it deserved.
Beyoncé has officially left her mark on country music—and there’s no turning back.
Category | Winner |
---|---|
Best Country Solo Performance | “It Takes a Woman” – Chris Stapleton |
Best Country Duo/Group Performance | “II Most Wanted” – Beyoncé & Miley Cyrus |
Best Country Song (Songwriters’ Award) | “The Architect” – Kacey Musgraves |
Best Americana Album | “Trail of Flowers” – Sierra Ferrell |
Best American Roots Song | “American Dreaming” – Sierra Ferrell |
Best American Roots Performance | “Lighthouse” – Sierra Ferrell |
Best Americana Performance | “American Dreaming” – Sierra Ferrell |
Best Bluegrass Album | “Live Vol. 1” – Billy Strings |
Best Folk Album | “Woodland” – Gillian Welch & David Rawlings |
Songwriter of the Year (Non-Classical) | Amy Allen |
Best Audiobook, Narration & Storytelling | “Jimmy Carter – Last Sundays in Plains: A Centennial Celebration” |
Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media | *Maestro: Music by Leonard Bernstein* |
Best Song Written for Visual Media | “It Never Went Away” – Jon Batiste (From “American Symphony”) |
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