For once, the Grammys actually got it right.
For once, the Grammys actually got it right.
After years of frustrating snubs and questionable choices, the Recording Academy finally did what many have been waiting for—awarding Beyoncé the top prize for Cowboy Carter. It felt like a long-overdue course correction, not just for her, but for the Grammys as a whole.
Beyoncé’s history with the awards has been complicated. Despite being the most awarded artist in Grammy history, she had repeatedly been shut out of Album of the Year, even when delivering groundbreaking records that reshaped the musical landscape. Time and time again, voters defaulted to safer, more familiar choices—often favoring white artists over the Black musicians pushing the boundaries of popular music. The pattern became impossible to ignore, hitting its most awkward moment when Adele publicly admitted on stage that Lemonade deserved the award over her own 25.
That’s why this year’s win for Cowboy Carter felt significant. Sure, some might argue it’s not her best album, just as others debate whether Martin Scorsese should’ve won his first Oscar for The Departed instead of Goodfellas or Taxi Driver. And yes, the album makes its message explicit, sometimes spelling things out for listeners rather than letting them interpret on their own. But that doesn’t change the fact that this moment was necessary.
More than just an overdue win, this was a sign that the Grammys might finally be evolving. After decades of failing to recognize the biggest and most important shifts in music—especially when it comes to Black artists and the impact of hip-hop—this year, they made the right call. Beyoncé’s win wasn’t just about honoring Cowboy Carter; it was about breaking the cycle and moving forward.
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