Arts

The 2025 Grammys: What is Going on with the Recording Academy?

Genevieve Ramsey and Myles Antelis

February 18, 2025

Are the Grammy’s right?

Samuel Ramos (Unsplash)

The 2025 Grammys delivered a night of unforgettable moments, from headline-making wins to show-stopping performances that had audiences buzzing. Chappell Roan lit up the stage with an electrifying set, while BRAT icon Charli XCX stunned with a surprise performance. Rising stars like Doechii and Sabrina Carpenter cemented their place in the industry, while legends Taylor Swift and Beyoncé reminded everyone why they are icons. With a perfect blend of controversy, celebration, and musical brilliance, this year’s Grammys honored the past, embraced the present, and set the stage for the future of music.
From bright pop music to a new style of country, this year’s Grammys left the audience with a variety of opinions. Here is what we thought.

Album of the Year

Winner: COWBOY CARTER

Additional Nominees:
“New Blue Sun” – André 3000
“Short n' Sweet” – Sabrina Carpenter
“BRAT” – Charli XCX
“Djesse Vol. 4” – Jacob Collier
“HIT ME HARD AND SOFT” – Billie Eilish
“The Rise And Fall Of A Midwest Princess” – Chappell Roan
“THE TORTURED POETS DEPARTMENT” – Taylor Swift

Who Should Have Won (Myles’s Opinion): “HIT ME HARD AND SOFT”

When Marrone and his colleague announced that “COWBOY CARTER” was the album of the year, I was overcome with a wave of shock, thinking my TV had a glitch. Senior Isabella Carney said, “I think Beyoncé is a great artist with great projects, but at least this year, I didn’t think her album was showstopping or defining enough to win album of the year.” Echoing Isabella’s opinion, “COWBOY CARTER” was a good album and a breakthrough for Beyoncé experimenting with country music, but not as good as “HIT ME HARD AND SOFT” (HMHAS). In this clip, Billie Eilish is visibly emotional after losing Album of the Year to Beyoncé, as she genuinely believed her work deserved the award. Billie and Finneas (her brother and producer) have a way of making deeply personal themes feel universal. The album explored love, loss, self-reflection, and vulnerability with intimate lyrics and dynamic production. Each track felt beautifully communicated through the passion of Billie’s voice, which earned “HMHAS” Album of the Year in my heart.

Who Should Have Won (Genevieve’s Opinion): “COWBOY CARTER”

As a diehard country fan, “COWBOY CARTER” brought country music to new heights. From covering the famous Beatles song “Blackbird,” to “YA YA” appearing in the USA Olympics commercial, it's safe to say that “COWBOY CARTER” was quite deserving of this nomination. Even though this album had fewer streams than others and may not be as recognizable, the impact that it had on country music is here to stay. Not only is Beyoncé the first Black woman to win Best Country Album, but that same album becoming Album of The Year is astounding. I will continue to give “COWBOY CARTER” my support, no matter what others say. On that note, stream “BODYGUARD,” my personal favorite of the album. Unfortunately, not everyone agrees with me. “Personally, I don’t think it should’ve won,” sophomore Maddie Guelich said. “It was a good album, but others were better.”

Song of the Year

Winner: “Not Like Us” – Kendrick Lamar

Additional Nominees:
“A Bar Song (Tipsy)” – Shaboozey
“BIRDS OF A FEATHER” – Billie Eilish
“Die With A Smile” – Bruno Mars and Lady Gaga
“Fortnight” – Taylor Swift
“Good Luck, Babe!” – Chappell Roan
“Please Please Please” – Sabrina Carpenter
“TEXAS HOLD 'EM” – Beyoncé

Who Should Have Won (Myles’s Opinion): “Die With A Smile”

The Recording Academy's decision to award Song of the Year to “Not Like Us” is bold. There’s no denying the cultural moment it created, but when it comes to pure musicality, emotional depth, and appeal, “Die With a Smile” is the clear standout. “Die With a Smile” was everywhere—you couldn’t escape it! The smooth harmonies, beautiful melody on the guitar, and the bittersweet lyrics about dying next to a loved one: “If the world was ending, I’d wanna be next to you” help to create a masterpiece. This song is jazzy and uplifting, while carrying aspects of pop, soul, and rock, making it have a multifaceted appeal across audiences due to the variety of genres.

Who Should Have Won (Genevieve’s Opinion): “TEXAS HOLD ‘EM”

Although I appreciate the Drake and Kendrick drama, “TEXAS HOLD ‘EM” is revolutionizing. Beyoncé reinvented what it means to be country, and gave her true and authentic spin onto it. “COWBOY CARTER” was trailblazing, mixing RnB and country together and creating a uniquely Beyoncé sound. Honestly, you would be lying if you said you didn’t hear “TEXAS HOLD ‘EM” at least three times every day when it first came out, and you didn’t find yourself humming along. Although it may not have been my song out of all of these nominations, I am confident in saying that it had the biggest cultural impact.

Best New Artist

Winner: Chappell Roan

Additional Nominees:
Benson Boone
Sabrina Carpenter
Doechii
Khruangbin
Raye
Shaboozey
Teddy Swims

Who Should Have Won (Myles’s Opinion): Chappell Roan

Chappell Roan, the “Femininomenon” herself, showed Hollywood that she is the true phenomenon of the music industry. Her overnight skyrocketing success to the top of the music industry was an absolute sensation, earning her this prestigious award. Her theatrical and over-the-top performances along with her DIY-meets-drag-queen aesthetic made her a standout star. Sophomore Keelyn Smey agreed. “I think Chappell Roan deserved to win because she brings a lot to the table and is different,” she said. “She refuses to conform to the rules of the music industry, which makes her special.”

Who Should Have Won (Genevieve’s Opinion): Chappell Roan

Out of all the artists nominated, Chappell Roan is easily one of the most recognizable names, especially within the past year. From breaking crowd records at Lollapalooza to reaching Billboard heights, she has proven herself to be one of the best new artists to emerge from 2024. Her hard work and determination from 2017 to now shined through and cultivated itself in her first released album, “The Rise And Fall of A Midwest Princess.” Her boldness and colorful songs push limits and continue to shape her into an influential figure in the music industry. To say that she deserved the title of Best New Artist is an understatement.

Record of the Year

Winner: “Not Like Us”

Additional Nominees:
“Now and Then” – The Beatles
“TEXAS HOLD 'EM” – Beyoncé
“Espresso” – Sabrina Carpenter
“360” – Charli XCX
“BIRDS OF A FEATHER” – Billie Eilish
“Good Luck, Babe!” – Chappell Roan
“Fortnight” – Taylor Swift Featuring Post Malone

Who Should Have Won (Myles’s Opinion): “360”

Everyone in this school knows I am a BRAT stan until the day I die, but I truly believe this song 100% deserves Record of the Year. The electronic beats, pulsating synths, and the futuristic, club-ready vibe align seamlessly with her avant-garde pop sound. “360” embodies pop culture through amazing production and distorted vocals, which the Recording Academy failed to recognize by not awarding her Record of the Year.

Who Should Have Won (Genevieve’s Opinion): “BIRDS OF A FEATHER”

Although I am not the biggest fan of Billie Eilish, “BIRDS OF A FEATHER” did go platinum in my car, especially during the summer. The light, airy-sounding vocals and fun beat elevated her music past my usual distaste. “BIRDS OF A FEATHER” is a fun, easygoing song about positive past relationships, and I find myself listening to it at any given time. If you were to play “BIRDS OF A FEATHER” out loud, I can assure you that at least 75% of the people there will be able to recognize it and sing along.

About the Contributors

Genevieve Ramsey, Media Editor

Genevieve Ramsey (’27) is delighted to return to The Forum for her third year, and her first as a Media Editor. Outside of school, she plays volleyball, is a TA for the US Writing Center and tutor for MS Writing Center, and enjoys listening to music.

Myles Antelis, Arts Editor

Myles Antelis (’27) is thrilled to continue writing for The Forum as a junior. He’s eager to cover all types of news occurring in Latin, especially relating to the arts community. Myles’s articles mix humor while informing the Latin community about the latest events in pop culture. The Forum has been a great outlet for him to express his love for writing with others. Outside of The Forum, Myles enjoys working on his fashion design creations, listening to music, and spending time with his friends.

The 2025 Grammys: What is Going on with the Recording Academy?

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