By Maria Sherman, music writer of Associated Press
Los Angeles (AP) – The Weeknd has repaired its fracture relationship with the Grammy Awards with a surprise performance of its new single, “Cry for Me” and “Timeless” with Playboi Carti.
His decision is a direct reflection of the changes that the Recording Academy has made to diversify its voting agency, the CEO Harvey Mason Jr. said in its introduction. The Weeknd has been openly critical of the Grammys organization, which dates back to 2020 when he wrote on Twitter: “The Grammys are still corrupt.”
It was just one of the many pleasant surprises on Sunday night. Chappell Roan was named Best New Artist at the Grammys 2025.
She read a speech of a notebook, starting addressing her nominees. “Brat was the best night of my life this year,” he said, when his hat fell out of his head, referring to Charli XCX.
Then his speech changed course. He directed his attention to the main labels and the music industry, instructing them to “offer a dignified salary and medical care, especially developing artists.” He then described that he was signed as minor, retired and entered the workforce during COVID-19 without work experience and without medical care. She asked them to treat artists as “valuable employees.”
“Tags, we have you, but do you have us?” She concluded her speech. “Thank you.”
In one of the most important moments of the night until now, Taylor Swift presented the prize for the best country album at 2025 Grammys to Beyoncé for his innovative “Cowboy Carter”.
“I really didn’t expect this. Wow, ”his speech began. “Gender is a cold word to keep us in our place as artists … I’m still in shock. Thank you very much for this honor. “
Beyoncé entered the night as the main nominee.
A little Wild West, a little West Hollywood. Chappell Roan brought a rocking version of his “Pink Pony Club” to the Grammy 2025 stage. United by a clown cowboys dancing, he sang from a giant pink horse.
The Grammys are broadcast live on CBS and Paramount+. Paramount+ with Showtime subscribers can also see Live and On Demand.
The first televised prize of the 2025 Grammy Awards went to Doechii for the best rap album to “Aligator Bites Never Heal”.
The tears were immediate. “This category was introduced in 1989. Two women have won, Lauryn Hill -” he said, correcting herself. “Three women have won. Lauryn Hill, Cardi B and Doechii “.
Los Angeles in the mind
The sincere speech of Doechii occurred after the show opened with several references to the forest fires of the Los Angeles area that have devastated the city but paid attention to the resistance of the city. The Grammy started Sunday at Crityo.com Arena with a lot of encouragement, calling attention to lifeguards and the resistance of the musical community.
The opening speech of the host Trevor Noah was dedicated to those affected by the fires, promising a program that not only celebrates them, but also celebrates “the city that brought us much of that music.” The Grammys have also assigned the advertisement time to be used by local companies affected by fires.
In a stage prepared to resemble the mountains of Los Angeles, Billie Eilish, born and raised, and her brother/collaborator finished interpreted her success “Birds of a Feather”. It was one of several ways in which the show seeks to greet the city. “We love you,” he told the crowd at the end of the set.
The program began with a powerful opening performance of “I love” by Randy Newman de Dawes, whose members were directly affected by the Eaton fire, backed by John Legend, Brad Paisley, Sheryl Crow, Brittany Howard and San Vicente.
Performances and victories with stars studs
At first, Sabrina Carpenter launched into a mixture of her greatest singles last year, a jazz interpretation of “espresso” in “please, please”, with a brief “espresso” reproduction.
The majority of the best nominees of new artists participated in a combined performance: Khruangbin with “May ninth”, Benson Boone with “Beautiful Things”, doechii launching “catfish” in “denial is a river”, Teddy swam “losing control “Shaboozey with” Good News “in” A Bar Song (Tipsy) “and Raye with” Oscar Winning Tears “.
Shakira won the Latin pop album for “Women no longer cry” and gave a powerful and short speech. “I want to dedicate this award to all my immigrant brothers and sisters in this country,” he said.
Anthony Kiedis and Chad Smith of the Red Hot Chili Peppers led the crowd in a short Singgalong of their success “Under The Bridge”, remembering the crowd that “supports their friends and neighbors while rebuilding their lives,” Kiedis said. Then they presented the prize for the best pop vocal album to Carpenter for “Short N ‘Sweet”.
“I really didn’t expect this,” he said. “This is, Woo, my first Grammy, so I’m going to cry.” (Now he has won two, but the previous prize received a ceremony prior to taking articles to which many artists do not attend).
The winners for the first time were abundant
An exciting and early topic of the 67th Grammy Awards? Winners for the first time.
During Sunday’s premiere ceremony, a program prior to taking articles presented by composer Justin Tranter, some of the most important names in pop such as Carpenter and Charli XCX won their first Grammys, as well as the Mexican music star Carin León, the French metal band Gojira and the artist Folk Ferrell.
They were not the only ones: the veterans took home trophies, as well as former President Jimmy Carter. He won a posthumous Grammy award for narrating “on Sundays in Plains: Centennial Celebration”, recordings of his latest Sunday school lessons delivered to the Baptist Church Maranatha in Georgia. It was his fourth victory in the Grammy.
Shortly after, Charli XCX also won his first two Grammys, in the Best Pop Dance recording category for “Von Dutch” and the best dance/electronic album for “Brat”.
Amy Allen won the composer of the year, not classical, a Grammy category that has only existed for three years. She is the first woman to win. Tobias Jesso Jr. won in 2023 and Theron Thomas won in 2024.
“The child in me … he is screaming, crying and laughing at the absurdity of this moment,” Allen began his speech. “We are the engine that feeds the entire music industry,” he said about past and present composers.
Ferrell won his first Grammys for the presentation of American, the American Roots song, the American album and the presentation of American Roots. She released a speech to accept the scepter. “Honestly, this is a bit hilarious,” he joked after returning to the stage for the third time. “Oh!” She began her fourth acceptance speech.
Beyoncé, Kendrick Lamar and other recognized musical giants
The main nominee Beyoncé won his first prize of the day for his song with Miley Cyrus, “II Most Wanced”. The performance of the duo/group of the country during the Grammy premiere ceremony was taken home, where 85 awards will be awarded. Beyoncé’s first victory in a country category.
Kendrick Lamar’s omnipresent “Not Like” was one of the first winners, who received trophies for musical videos, rap songs and rap interpretation. Mark his seventh time winning in the last category.
“Now and then” of the Beatles, who used AI technology, took home the best rock performance. Sean Lennon accepted the award on behalf of his father John Lennon. “As far as I’m concerned, it is the best band of all time,” he said about the Beatles. “Touch the Beatles music for your children. I feel that the world can’t afford to be forgotten. “
To get more coverage of this year’s Grammy Awards, visit: www.apnews.com/gramyawards
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