Los Angeles: Beyoncé was visibly stunned as her album ‘Cowboy Carter’ was named ‘Best Country Album’ at the 67th Grammy Awards. Beyoncé becomes the first black woman to win a Grammy.
The award, presented by Taylor Swift—who, like Beyoncé, has successfully transitioned between genres—came as a significant moment in the night’s festivities.
Beyoncé said that, “Wow, I really was not expecting this, thanking the “incredible country artists” who voted for the honor. This win came five months after Beyoncé faced a snub at the Country Music Awards, despite making history as the first Black woman to reach number one on the Hot Country Songs chart with “Texas Hold ‘Em.”
In addition to this win, Cowboy Carter‘s track “Texas Hold ‘Em” was also nominated for Record of the Year, competing against artists like Sabrina Carpenter, Kendrick Lamar, and Chappell Roan. The category also saw The Beatles nominated for Now And Then, a song they reassembled from a John Lennon demo.
The Grammy ceremony, which took place at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, also doubled as a fundraiser for those impacted by the recent wildfires in the city.
The show opened with a performance by Dawes, a local band whose homes were destroyed by the fires, followed by a rendition of California Dreamin’ by Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars to honor first responders.
Comedian Trevor Noah, hosting the event, acknowledged the uncertainty of the show happening due to the fires but praised the spirit of the city and the heroic efforts of the firefighters.
Firefighters were invited to the ceremony, walking the red carpet and taking selfies with stars. Billie Eilish also performed her Grammy-nominated hit Birds of a Feather during the event.
Late in the evening, Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars won for Die With a Smile, a hit in certain circles, and the duo shared an affectionate moment on stage.
Mars praised Gaga, saying, “Gaga, I’m so honored to be part of this song with you,” while Gaga reciprocated, calling him “an incredible human being” and “a musician for the ages.”
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