By SOPHIA SIRUCHEK
The GRAMMY Awards of 2025 were nothing short of spectacular, filled with memorable performances, heartfelt speeches, and, most notably, some of the biggest upsets in recent history. Fans and critics alike were left in shock as unexpected winners emerged in several major categories, defying predictions and stirring up conversations across the music industry. From surprising Album of the Year victories to best country album, unexpected losses, the 2025 GRAMMYs will be remembered for its unpredictability and the way it reshaped the landscape of music.
The upset surrounding Beyoncé's win for Best Country Album at the GRAMMYs 2025 was palpable. Many fans of traditional country music felt that the award should have gone to an artist deeply rooted in the genre. This unexpected win led to heated discussions on social media, with some praising her for breaking barriers and others feeling that it overshadowed deserving country artists. The controversy highlighted the ongoing debate about genre boundaries and the evolving nature of music awards.
Not only did Beyoncé win Best Country Album, she won overall Best album. Many people were very shocked and felt that she should not have been the proper winner. Vanessa Moran, a student at WHS felt strongly and upset about Beyoncé's award for Best album: “My biggest shock of the 2025 GRAMMYs was definitely cowboy Carter winning album of the year, because, yes, it was different from her normal music, but there were so many amazing albums this year that I feel were overlooked.”
Another major disappointment from the GRAMMYs was how many people felt as though Billie Eilish was “robbed”. Being nominated for seven GRAMMYs and not winning any was definitely surprising and, for many fans, an unfair outcome. Given her immense talent and the critical acclaim her work has received, many expected her to take home at least one award. The GRAMMYs can be unpredictable, and sometimes deserving artists don't get the recognition they seem to deserve. Fans were disappointed, but it also highlighted how competitive and unpredictable the music industry can be.
Eden Marriott, a student at WHS expressed “The GRAMMYs this year was pretty disappointing, despite there being some really historical moments. I just think it’s a shame that many of the awards were given based on the “renowned status” of the artist rather than their talent, because if it had been the other way around, we would have seen more deserving winners.”
On the topic of Billie Eilish, neither Taylor Swift nor Billie Eilish took home a single trophy at the 2025 GRAMMY Awards. Taylor Swift and Billie Eilish were both nominated across big categories like Album of the Year, Record of the Year, and Song of the Year, but they went home empty-handed in all of them. This upset many fans, although Taylor Swift has won many GRAMMYs in the past; it might be time to let new artists win.
Billie Eilish got so upset she started to tear up. The reason was Billie expressed that this was the album she felt the most proud of and she felt she truly deserved to win at least one award.
A shocking turn of events occurred at the GRAMMYs this year when Kendrick Lamar’s diss against Drake won five GRAMMYs. Rollingstones.com stated, “Not Like Us” was nominated for Best Rap Performance, Best Rap Song, Best Music Video, Song of the Year, and Record of the Year. And “Not Like Us” won every last one of those categories.” This was honestly very surprising for many as this song is wildly overplayed. Many people feel that a diss against another artist should not have won so many awards over other deserving artists.
The biggest upsets at the GRAMMYs often spark intense debates and highlight the unpredictable nature of the awards. Whether it's Beyoncé winning Best Country Album, Billie Eilish being nominated for seven awards and not winning any, or Kendrick Lamar winning five GRAMMYs for the same song, these moments remind fans of the subjective and competitive landscape of the music industry. While such outcomes can be disappointing for fans and artists alike, they also underscore the diverse and evolving nature of music where boundaries are constantly being pushed and expectations are frequently challenged.
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