Pop Culture Happy Hour: 2025 Grammys Recap

Released on February 3, 2025

NPR’s Pop Culture Happy Hour hosts Stephen Thompson, Rhianna Cruz, and Shamira Ibrahim delve into the highlights, surprises, and notable moments from the 2025 Grammy Awards. This detailed recap captures the essence of the evening, offering insights and reflections for both seasoned fans and those who couldn't watch the ceremony.

Beyoncé's Triumphant Victory

The night was dominated by Beyoncé’s historic win, marking her as the biggest Grammy winner of all time with 35 Grammys out of 99 nominations. Finally securing the coveted Album of the Year award, Beyoncé’s victory was met with widespread relief and celebration among her peers.

Stephen Thompson (00:43):
"We all heave a tremendous sigh of relief that this has happened completely overdue."

Shamira Ibrahim (03:13):
"It's such a crowded field this year for Album of the Year. But you could even see by the reaction in the audience that almost all of her colleagues were elated for her to finally get the one trophy that had long evaded her."

Rhianna Cruz echoed this sentiment, expressing her surprise at the unpredictability of the outcome.

Rhianna Cruz (03:26):
"I had no idea where... I did heave that sigh of relief."

The hosts discussed the unexpectedness of Beyoncé winning Best Country Album earlier in the evening, highlighting the growing chasm between the country music industry and the Grammys.

Shamira Ibrahim (06:02):
"The increase in access and diversity... helped Beyoncé in the sense that... people who were long rooting for her were also involved in the conversation."

This victory not only solidifies Beyoncé's unparalleled legacy but also underscores the evolving dynamics within the Grammy voting body, now expanded to 13,000 members.

Kendrick Lamar's Dominant Performance

Kendrick Lamar had an outstanding night, sweeping five Grammy categories with his song "Not Like Us." The track, which began as a diss track, evolved into an anthem for Los Angeles, especially poignant given the recent wildfire disasters in the area.

Stephen Thompson (07:45):
"Get the broom out. It was a huge night for this song... bound to be a big night for it."

Rhianna Cruz shared her excitement about the song’s resonance within the LA community.

Rhianna Cruz (08:17):
"Every time that song won an award, the whole room erupted... it was a good moment."

Shamira Ibrahim highlighted the cultural significance of Kendrick’s acceptance speech, which deeply celebrated Los Angeles.

Shamira Ibrahim (08:53):
"He is a testimony Chapel... celebrating Los Angeles in his speech."

The discussion also touched on Kendrick’s upcoming stadium tour, a rare feat for rap artists, signaling his monumental impact in the music industry.

Chapel Roan Shines as Best New Artist

Chapel Roan emerged as the Best New Artist, delivering one of the night’s most memorable performances with "Pink Pony Club." Her stage presence and the interactive nature of her performance captivated audiences and critics alike.

Stephen Thompson (10:32):
"Chapel Roan is freaking amazing. She was probably my biggest rooting interest coming into this night."

Rhianna Cruz praised Chapel Roan’s courage and innovative approach to performances.

Rhianna Cruz (11:18):
"The absolute courage to stand up on that stage... that's pretty crazy. Or I was like, damn, that's good."

Shamira Ibrahim commended Chapel Roan for her authenticity and advocacy, particularly her call for better support systems for emerging artists.

Shamira Ibrahim (11:59):
"She represents a new generation of artists... willing to be a little bit more forthcoming about the struggles."

Her impactful speech emphasized the need for livable wages and healthcare for artists, resonating strongly with the audience.

Lady Gaga Advocates for Trans Rights

Lady Gaga delivered a powerful speech during her win for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance with Bruno Mars for "Die with a Smile." She used her platform to advocate for the visibility and acceptance of trans people.

Lady Gaga (14:43):
"Trans people are not invisible. Trans people deserve love. The queer community deserves to be lifted up."

Rhianna Cruz highlighted the emotional weight of Gaga’s words, especially as they pertain to current social and political climates.

Rhianna Cruz (15:39):
"Gaga saying that in her speech, it brought a tear to my eye... that was one of the most impactful speeches of the night."

Shamira Ibrahim noted the broader trend of artists using their speeches to address diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) issues, reflecting a politically conscious Grammy ceremony.

Dochi's Stellar Rise in Rap

Dochi captured the spotlight by winning Best Rap Album with an impressive performance that left audiences in awe. Her Tiny Dess concert performance was lauded as must-watch, showcasing her charismatic stage presence and innovative performance style.

Shamira Ibrahim (18:01):
"Dochi just had a massive coming out party tonight."

Rhianna Cruz emphasized Dochi’s unique blend of choreography and musicality, drawing parallels to iconic performances.

Rhianna Cruz (19:48):
"It was giving Chicago tens across the board... I'm making TikTok music what beat on I know Need a cleanse."

Stephen Thompson encouraged listeners to explore Dochi’s work, particularly her Tiny Dess concert, highlighting her ascent to mega-stardom.

Stephen Thompson (19:48):
"If you were discovering Dochi watching these Grammy awards, your next step is to watch her Tiny Dess concert because, my God. Megastar."

Sabrina Carpenter’s Pop Vocal Triumph

Sabrina Carpenter secured the Best Pop Vocal Album with her release "By Chance You Were Everything," delivering a performance that blended physical comedy with theatrical excellence.

Stephen Thompson (20:35):
"Her performance also was extremely tight and really well put together."

Rhianna Cruz praised Carpenter’s ability to infuse humor and personality into her performance, making it both entertaining and technically impressive.

Rhianna Cruz (20:35):
"It was giving physical comedy. It was giving vaudeville... extremely tight and really well put together."

Overall Tone and Telethon Elements

The hosts discussed the dual nature of the Grammy ceremony, balancing celebrations and philanthropy in light of recent wildfires in Los Angeles. While appreciating the efforts to support disaster relief, there was a mix of opinions on the execution of these segments.

Stephen Thompson (23:53):
"Harvey Mason Jr.... said this is not going to be a telethon. We're gonna do something that's appropriate to the moment, but they went and basically put on a telethon."

Rhianna Cruz (24:51):
"I was like, we're gonna take these vibes that we set with Chapel Roan or Sabrina Carpenter and then tonally totally flip it on a 180... it felt a little tone deaf at times."

Shamira Ibrahim suggested alternative approaches to integrating charitable elements without disrupting the flow of the awards.

Shamira Ibrahim (25:59):
"I think a lot of those collaborations were really well executed... given the short turnaround for that writing team, they did a lot well in the circumstances."

Final Reflections

Concluding the recap, the hosts reflected on the successes and challenges of the 2025 Grammys. They acknowledged the diverse range of winners, the strong performances, and the balanced celebration of music and community support.

Shamira Ibrahim (22:49):
"It's a testament to it just being a great year in popular music. The Grams did a good job of reminding us there's actually a lot of great music out there."

Rhianna Cruz (22:49):
"I enjoyed watching the Grammys this year... the Grammys really put a concentrated effort into making this telecast felt like it mattered."

Overall, the Pop Culture Happy Hour hosts lauded the 2025 Grammys for its celebratory spirit, advocacy, and recognition of both established and emerging artists, painting a positive picture for the future of the music industry.

For more insights and discussions, tune into future episodes of Pop Culture Happy Hour on NPR.