LOS ANGELES (AP) - The Grammy Awards have long been criticized over a lack of diversity, with a history of artists of color, women, and rap and R&B musicians being snubbed for top prizes. Sunday’s edition suggests something may have shifted.
Beyoncé and Kendrick Lamar led one of the best Grammys in years. Has the awards show transformed?
LOS ANGELES (AP) - The Grammy Awards have long been criticized over a lack of diversity, with a history of artists of color, women, and rap and R&B musicians being snubbed for top prizes. Sunday’s edition suggests something may have shifted.
Beyoncé, the most awarded and nominated artist in Grammys history, finally won album of the year for her country-and-then-some album, "Cowboy Carter," furthering her dedication to recentering Black art in popular culture. Kendrick Lamar took home two of the top four prizes of the night, celebrating hip-hop on a show that has historically neglected the genre. The Grammys placed young pop performers in the spotlight at the moment of their ascent, meeting the contemporary music moment.
The Recording Academy has made concerted efforts to diversify in recent years. Could it be those strides have already paid off in a course correction? Or were the 2025 Grammys simply a one-off?
Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason jr. appeared onstage to address "some real criticism" facing the organization behind the Grammys.