Beyoncé has won Album of the Year at the 2025 Grammy Awards for Cowboy Carter, marking the first time she has taken home the night’s biggest prize. The award was presented by Los Angeles firefighters, including Fire Chief Anthony Marrone and Fire Captain Sheila Kelliher Berkoh, who were honored for their bravery during last month’s devastating wildfires.
After her name was announced, Beyoncé immediately embraced Jay-Z and walked to the stage with her daughter Blue Ivy. In her speech, she thanked the firefighters for their service and acknowledged how long she had been waiting for this win. This was her second award of the night, having also won Best Country Album, which was presented to her by Taylor Swift.
The moment was particularly significant after Jay-Z’s speech at last year’s Grammys, where he pointed out that Beyoncé had never won Album of the Year despite her record-breaking number of Grammy wins. Before the ceremony, John Legend was asked if Jay-Z’s comments would impact the moment, and he responded, “It unequivocally would not.”
The entire Grammys broadcast focused on raising awareness for fire recovery efforts in Los Angeles, with a QR code appearing on screen throughout the show to encourage donations. The L.A. firefighters received a standing ovation, but Beyoncé’s long-awaited win was a close second.
