The 2025 Grammy nominations are here, bringing a fascinating mix of surprises, powerhouse nods, and a few major snubs. Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, Billie Eilish, and Charli XCX are all leading the charge, but there’s much more to discuss this year: from unexpected new voices to the ongoing tug-of-war between recognizing fresh talent and paying homage to legacy. Here’s a breakdown of the most notable shocks, snubs, and shifts in the music landscape leading up to the biggest night in music.
Beyoncé hits a historic 99 noms, will she finally win Album of the Year?
Racking up a record-breaking 99 nominations throughout her career, Queen Bey is recognized across all major categories with her boundary-pushing project “Cowboy Carter.” She leads the pack with nominations for Album and Record of the Year, Country Album and Pop Solo Performance. Despite a storied career and holding the title as the most-awarded artist in Grammy history, Beyonce has never won Album of the Year. This elusive prize has so far remained out of reach and fans are hopeful this might finally be her year.
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Beyoncé accepts Best Dance/Electronic Album for Renaissance in 2023 | Photo: Getty Images
Taylor Swift remains a Grammy royalty
Taytay continues her reign at the Grammys, earning six nominations and breaking records with “The Tortured Poets Department,” her seventh Album of the Year nod, a milestone no other woman has ever achieved. Swift’s standout collaboration Fortnight with Post Malone is up for both Record and Song of the Year, adding yet another layer to an already momentous year. She’s also a contender for Best Pop Vocal Album and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance. For Swifties, Grammy night could bring some major wins, and if there’s one thing the Grammys have taught us, it’s never to underestimate Taylor Swift.
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Charli XCX’s “BRAT” Moment
BRAT didn’t just dominate the airwaves, it became a cultural phenomenon. With seven nominations, including Album of the Year and Record of the Year for “360,” Charli is finally receiving mainstream Grammy love. Fans have long celebrated her genre-defying approach, but this is the first time the Recording Academy has fully recognized her solo artistry on this scale.
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A stacked Best New Artist Category
The Best New Artist category this year is packed with fresh talent, with Sabrina Carpenter and Chappell Roan leading the charge alongside Shaboozey, Doechii, and Raye. Carpenter, who broke through this year with “Short n’ Sweet,“ and Chappell Roan, whose “The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess” became an instant fan favorite, are nominated in all four major categories (Album, Record, Song of the Year, and Best New Artist.) These newcomers add excitement and fresh energy to this year’s lineup, sparking hope that the Recording Academy is now letting new voices shine.
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Shocking snubs
As always, Grammy season wouldn’t be complete without some snubs that baffle fans. Dua Lipa’s “Radical Optimism “missed out on the major categories entirely, despite her consistent Grammy success with past projects. Vocal powerhouse Arianna Grande received nods only in a few pop categories. For fans who’d anticipated “Eternal Sunshine“ to secure an Album of the Year slot, this omission felt like a major Grammy oversight.
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Perhaps most glaring is the Grammys’ continued struggle with fully recognizing global artists. Latin music and K-pop stars were notably absent from top categories, with Bad Bunny, Peso Pluma, and Shakira receiving only a handful of genre-specific nods. It’s a disappointing oversight in a year when international music dominated charts and conversations worldwide, reinforcing the Recording Academy’s ongoing challenge of embracing music that doesn’t fit neatly within traditional categories.
Unlikely contenders
In a surprising twist, Album of the Year includes André 3000’s flute-focused instrumental project, “New Blue Sun” and The Beatles’ (Yes, you read that right), “Now and Then,” claimed a spot for Record of the Year, bringing John Lennon’s voice back to life. “Now and Then,” makes history as first AI-assisted song to earn Grammy nomination
The end of an era?
After three consecutive wins in the Producer of the Year, Non-Classical category, Jack Antonoff finds himself absent from the nominations this year. Known for his work with Taylor Swift and Sabrina Carpenter, Antonoff’s omission leaves room for producers like Dan Nigro, who led the production on Chappell Roan’s critically acclaimed album, to take the spotlight. Antonoff’s absence signals a potential changing of the guard among Grammy-favorite producers.
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Taylor Swift and Jack Antonoff celebrate their Grammy wins, a friendship fueling pop’s biggest hits.
Major trends
If one theme defines this year’s Grammy nominations, it’s the rise and reign of women in music. From Beyoncé and Taylor Swift to Charli XCX and Billie Eilish, women dominate the top categories, continuing the trend of recent years. Meanwhile, genre-blending projects like “Cowboy Carter” and “The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess” reflect a musical landscape where lines between genres are increasingly fluid. However, the Academy’s attachment to legacy acts persists, as seen with The Beatles’ nomination, underscoring an ongoing tug-of-war between tradition and innovation.
This year’s ceremony, which happens on February 2, promises potential history-making moments, and, as always, the chance for the Recording Academy to either deliver on its promises of diversity and innovation or fall back into familiar patterns. Whatever happens, the upcoming #GRAMMYs is sure to be one for the books.
Check out the complete GRAMMY nominations list here
