On the music industry’s biggest night, the 67th Annual Grammy Awards were hosted in Los Angeles, Calif. on Feb. 2, 2025. Artists in every genre are recognized for their talents in performance, lyricism, production and collaboration in their music, as over 13,000 voters pick the winners for each category. 

This year, the ceremony was dedicated to the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) and all fire victims who fought the Palisades Fire in early 2025. The ceremony made many nods to the LAFD and victims of the fire, asking viewers for donations to support fire relief funds, as well as bringing out the LAFD to announce the final award of “Album of the Year”, to which they were greeted with a standing ovation from the audience.

Many performances were shaped around the fires, nominees Bruno Mars and Lady Gaga singing “California Dreamin’” by The Mamas & The Papas in honor of the damage to California and the band Dawes singing “I Love L.A.” by Randy Newman, as the two brothers had lost their homes in the fire.

The LAFD was also welcome to walk the red carpet before the show along with the celebrities and nominees attending. The Grammys, along with the previously held Fire Aid concert, raised a total of $124 million to donate to those affected by the fires in Los Angeles.

More performances during the ceremony included some from “Album of the Year” nominees Chappell Roan, Sabrina Carpenter, Charli XCX and Billie Eilish. Artist The Weeknd made a surprise appearance at the ceremony, performing two songs from his brand new album along with Playboy Carti, after his four year public boycott of the Grammys. 

The Grammys held a lengthy tribute to Quincy Jones, record producer and composer who had passed in late 2024. Performances included some of Jones’ biggest production hits with Cynthia Erivo performing “Fly Me to the Moon” by Frank Sinatra or Stevie Wonder performing harmonica to “Bluesette” and singing “We Are the World.” Capping it off, Janelle Monáe paid homage to Jones with an energetic performance of “Don’t Stop Til You Get Enough,” one of the many hit singles Jones collaborated on with singer Michael Jackson.  

The Grammys award artists in a total of 94 categories, yet four are considered the “big four”: “Best New Artists,” “Song of the Year,” “Record of the Year” and “Album of the Year.” “Best New Artist” was handed out to Chappell Roan after the success of her album “The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess” in 2024. Roan made waves in her speech, directly addressing the record labels of recording artists, asking for better wages and conditions for up-and-coming artists. 

Kendrick Lamar and his hit single “Not Like Us” won every category it was nominated for, including “Song of the Year” and “Record of the Year.” Finally, the winner for “Album of the Year” was announced to be Beyoncé for “Cowboy Carter.” Though Beyoncé is the leading solo artist for Grammy wins with 35, this is her first time winning “Album of the Year.” 

As the music industry continues to move forward, the 67th Annual Grammy Awards was a night of testimony and recognition. From honoring the LAFD and fire victims to standout performances and tributes, the event showed music’s ability to unite and inspire those who continue to listen and create.