After four previous losses, Beyoncé secured her long-awaited Album of the Year Grammy on Sunday for her genre-blending LP “Cowboy Carter.”
The historic win makes the 43-year-old singer only the fourth Black woman to earn the award and the first in over 25 years, following Lauryn Hill (The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, 1999), Whitney Houston (The Bodyguard, 1994), and Natalie Cole (Unforgettable… With Love, 1992).
In her acceptance speech, Beyoncé acknowledged the significance of the moment with a heartfelt dedication to Black country singer Linda Martell, whose voice is featured on Cowboy Carter discussing the complexity of genre. “It’s been many, many years,” Beyoncé said with a laugh, reflecting on the Grammys’ long history of overlooking her in major categories.
The album triumphed over stiff competition, beating out projects from André 3000, Sabrina Carpenter, Charli XCX, Jacob Collier, Billie Eilish, Chappell Roan, and Taylor Swift. Swift, who holds the record for the most Album of the Year wins with four, was seen toasting with Beyoncé’s husband, Jay-Z, after the historic announcement.
The win brings Beyoncé’s career Grammy total to 35—the most of any artist in history. However, despite her dominance, she had previously won only one of the Grammys’ prestigious “big four” categories: Song of the Year for Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It) in 2010.
Beyoncé’s repeated snubs in major Grammy categories have long been a source of controversy, fueling criticism of the Recording Academy’s track record in recognizing Black artists—particularly Black women—in top honors. Landmark albums like Beyoncé, Lemonade, and Renaissance were all widely considered frontrunners but ultimately lost to Beck, Adele, and Harry Styles, respectively. In 2010, Swift’s Fearless defeated Beyoncé’s” “I Am … Sasha Fierce” for Album of the Year, a decision that sparked debate at the time.
At last year’s Grammys, Jay-Z used his acceptance speech for a lifetime achievement award to call out the academy’s perceived bias. “Even by your own metrics, it doesn’t work,” he said. “We want you to get it right—at least get it close to right.”
Sunday’s win, seen as a long-overdue correction, marked a turning point for both Beyoncé and the Grammys, signaling a broader recognition of diverse artistry in the industry’s highest honor.
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