The 2025 Grammy nominations are out, and they’re packed with surprises, star-studded collaborations, and genre-bending artists who keep us guessing. With 12 nominations, Beyoncé continues her reign, leading the charge in categories from Album of the Year for her country-infused Cowboy Carter to Best Pop Solo Performance with the hit single “Bodyguard.” Close behind, Taylor Swift has seven nods, including a shot at Album of the Year with her album The Tortured Poets Department—a title that feels as poetic as her lyrics. If Beyoncé’s dive into country seems unexpected, wait until you hear about her nomination for Best Country Solo Performance alongside legends like Chris Stapleton.
In the Song of the Year category, Billie Eilish and Taylor Swift face off with “Birds of a Feather” and “Fortnight,” respectively. If you’re wondering how Taylor and Post Malone ended up together on a track, you’re not alone. This year’s Grammy motto seems to be “expect the unexpected.” The Best Pop Duo/Group Performance category is equally intriguing, with Taylor Swift and Gracie Abrams on “Us.,” Beyoncé teaming up with Post Malone on “Levii’s Jeans,” and even a powerhouse trio of Ariana Grande, Brandy, and Monica reimagining “The Boy Is Mine.”
For Best New Artist, the nominees include Sabrina Carpenter, Doechii, and Raye, making it a year with a broad range of musical styles—from pop to hip-hop to alternative. Sabrina Carpenter’s album Short n’ Sweet also garnered a nomination for Best Pop Vocal Album, which should keep her fans on the edge of their seats.
And the Grammys didn’t hold back on the dance floor either. Charli XCX is racking up nods in Best Dance Pop Recording and Best Dance/Electronic Music Album, bringing her distinct style into a category that also includes Zedd and Four Tet. Additionally, this year marks a new category for Best African Music Performance, with heavyweights like Burna Boy and Tems bringing Afrobeat to the Grammys’ main stage. And in Best Latin Pop Album, Shakira, Anitta, and Kali Uchis all scored nominations, proving once again that Latin music is here to stay.
In hip-hop, Kendrick Lamar is making waves with nominations for “Not Like Us” in Best Rap Performance and Best Rap Song, where he faces off with Cardi B, Eminem, and Doechii. Kendrick’s collaborations with Future and Metro Boomin have him looking strong in Best Melodic Rap Performance too. Meanwhile, Doechii’s project Alligator Bites Never Heal is vying for Best Rap Album against J. Cole and the legendary Eminem.
So, here we go again, folks! Get ready for a Grammys ceremony with more musical crossovers, genre-defying tracks, and collaborations that range from genius to eyebrow-raising. Whether you’re rooting for Queen Bey to dominate, or hoping Taylor Swift snags that elusive Album of the Year title, there’s no shortage of drama and talent in this year’s lineup.
