Beyoncé made history at the 67th Grammys by becoming the first Black woman to win Best Country Album for “Cowboy Carter.”
The moment her name was called, Beyoncé looked completely stunned. Her eyes widened, and she spread her hands as if to ask, What’s happening? She glanced left and right, still in disbelief, while the audience erupted in cheers. For a few seconds, she remained seated, taking it all in, until Blue Ivy gave her a nudge. That was all the encouragement she needed. With a smile, she stood up, surrounded by cheers from the people around her, including Jay-Z, and made her way to the stage with Blue Ivy by her side.
“I just feel very full and very honored,” said Beyoncé. “It’s been many, many years,” she said while accepting the prize, which she dedicated to Linda Martell, a pioneering Black woman in country who performed on the album. “I hope we just keep pushing forward, opening doors,” Beyonce added.
The singer said during her acceptance speech: ‘Oh, my god. Wow. I really was not expecting this. Wow. I want to thank god. Oh, my god. That I am able to still do what I love after so many years. Oh, my god. I would like to thank all of the incredible country artists that accepted this album. We work so hard on it.
‘I think sometimes, genre is a cold word to keep us in our place as artists, and I just want to encourage people to do what they’re passionate about. And to stay persistent. Wow.’
Beyonce entered the night with the most chances at Grammys gold, having garnered 11 nominations, including in the major fields along with pop, country, Americana and melodic rap performance.
She ultimately took home three awards – Album of the Year, best country album and best country duo/group performance with Miley Cyrus.
Though Taylor Swift went home empty-handed from the 2025 Grammy Awards after being nominated in the album of the year category, for her The Tortured Poets Department, she still celebrated Beyoncé’s big album of the year win.
Swift was seen on camera clinking champagne glasses with Beyoncé’s husband, Jay-Z, after the Cowboy Carter artist accepted her Grammy onstage.
Prior to the 67th Grammy Awards, a leak had teased the winner of the category. Gold Derby, an authority in awards show coverage and predictions, had suggested the Album of the Year winner. They claimed the award was set to go to Billie Eilish’s Hit Me Hard and Soft or Beyonce’s Cowboy Carter. Both albums had received four votes each from Gold Derby’s experts and editors.
With this award, Beyoncé became the first Black woman to win Best Country Album at the Grammys.
By Ezinne Okorie.
