Beyoncé was all of us – with surprise written all over her face – when she made history as the first Black woman to win “Best Country Album” at the 67th Annual Grammy Awards Sunday night in Los Angeles.
But by then it was already established that the Black Girl Magic would be dialed up to the point where it was impossible to diminish.
Florida rapper Doechii set the tone when she became only the third Black woman to win “Best Rap Album for “Alligator Bites Never Heal” since the category was established in 1989. She was presented with the award by the second recipient – Cardi B. – and Ms. Lauryn Hill was the first for her culture shifting project “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill.”
DEI is not a threat, it’s a gift.
Alicia Keys, 2025 Dr. Dre Global Impact Grammy Awardee
“I know that there is some Black girl out there – so many black women out there watching me right now,” Doechii said as she stood next to her mother and accepted the award. “I want to tell you – you can do it. Anything is possible.”
A few categories later, Doechii’s remarks proved prophetic.
Twenty-four hours after Beyoncé announced the tour to support her first country album, the groundbreaking win “Cowboy Carter” had Beyonce at a loss for words.
“I’m still in shock,” Beyoncé said as she took her seat. She had more awards than anyone in the arena, and yet it was as if the win was her first ever.
She hardly spoke any words, but a few from Doechii during her speech could definitely apply.
“Don’t allow anybody to project any stereotypes on you that you tell you that you can’t be here,” Doechii said just minutes earlier.
Trevor Noah hosted, but support for Los Angeles loomed large in the wake of the tragic fires. The vibe was similar to 2002, when New York was declared the host city for the first major pop culture event in the wake of the 9/11 tragedy.
And while Los Angeles love was the common thread for Sunday’s awards. The hope and defiant optimism within the tapestry of the evening was curated by Black women. There was Cynthia Erivo’s stunning take on Frank Sinatra’s “Fly Me to the Moon,” during an all-star tribute to Quincy Jones. There were also Doechii and Raye’s show stopping performances among the “Best New Artist” nominees.
Presented with the Dr. Dre Global Impact Award by Queen Latifah, Alicia Keys reminded the millions who tuned in of Black women’s ability to say the brave – and right – thing when the world is watching.
“This is not the time to shut down the diversity of voices,” Keys said. “We’ve seen on this stage talented, hardworking people from different backgrounds with different points of view, and it changes the game. DEI is not a threat, it’s a gift.
And when pop music icon Diana Ross stepped on stage to present “Record of the Year” honors, she inspired awe before she opened her mouth to announce the nominees.
Pop starlet Sabrina Carpenter was as moved as when she won her first Grammy earlier in the evening when expressing her fandom for Ross. Tears filled her eyes and her face flushed with red.
And before he accepted his award for “Not Like Us,” which swept its categories at this year’s awards, Kendrick Lamar took a moment to bow down to Ross.
The final award of the night elicited a similar reaction.
When the Los Angeles Fire Department announced that “Cowboy Carter” had earned B Beyoncé her first ever album of the year Grammy, a wave of emotions followed. Cynthia Erivo burst into tears as if her name had been called. Tears streamed down Lady Gaga’s face. Fellow nominees Carpenter and Billie Eilish fought back tears of joy. Taylor Swift – another nominee in the category, and last year’s winner, – jumped and shouted as if she were a co-producer of “Cowboy Carter.”
With the win, Beyoncé is one of only four Black women to take home “Album of the Year” honors – a distinction she shares with Whitney Houston, Natalie Cole and Hill.
In her remarks, Beyoncé spoke praises of the Black woman who paved the way for “Cowboy Carter” to exist.
“Thank you, Linda Martell,” Beyoncé said.
The vitriolic racism Beyoncé faced in response to entering the country music space last year paled in comparison to Martell’s experience as the first commercially successful Black female country artist and the first Black woman to play The Grand Ole Opry in the 1960s.
Martell, who Beyoncé featured on “Cowboy Carter,” is yet another testament to Doechii’s affirmation to Black women during her speech at the Crypto.com Arena.
“You are exactly who you need to be.”