THE SNUBS
Ariana Grande scored three nominations but was shut out of the top three awards. Post Malone missed out on album of the year, and though he’s nominated for record and song of the year, it’s for his guest appearance on Taylor Swift’s “Fortnight,” not for his own No. 1 hit, “I Need Some Help” with Morgan Wallen.
WINNING WOMEN
Months after female acts won all televised awards at the 2024 Grammys, women dominate in major categories for next year as well. For both album of the year and record of the year, women own six of the eight nominations. Women also have a large presence in categories like best pop solo performance, best pop vocal album, best R&B performance, best R&B song, best Americana performance, best folk album and best Latin pop album.
BLACK QUEENS
After earning nominations across the pop, R&B, rock, rap and dance genres, Beyoncé adds country to her resume this year and continues to make history. But she’s also uplifting others in the process. Linda Martell — one of the pioneers for Black acts in country music and the first Black woman to perform solo at the Grand Ole Opry — earns her first-ever Grammy nomination for her collaboration with Queen Bey. They’re up for best melodic rap performance for “Spaghetti” from Cowboy Carter, a track that also features Shaboozey. Martell released her first album in 1970 and had a Top 25 country hit but dealt with major hardships including racism at her live shows.
FEMALE RAPPERS
Though Nicki Minaj and Megan Thee Stallion were snubbed, other female rap voices are present. Doechii scored three nominations, including best new artist, best rap album for Alligator Bites Never Heal and best rap performance for “Nissan Altima”; GloRilla’s “Yeah Glo!” and Cardi B.’s “Enough (Miami)” are also in the latter category. Latto and Rapsody are up for best melodic rap performance, while GloRilla and Rapsody will compete for best rap song.
GRAMMY STARBOY
After boycotting the Grammys in 2021, The Weeknd won best melodic rap performance at the 2022 show for his appearance on Kayne West’s “Hurricane.” He can do the same at the 2025 awards — he’s nominated in that category for his guest vocals on Future and Metro Boomin’s “We Still Don’t Trust You.”
FAMOUS FACES
Daniel Radcliffe could become a Grammy winner. He’s nominated for best musical theater album for Merrily We Roll Along. Alicia Keys and Wayne Brady are also nominated in the same category for Hell’s Kitchen and The Wiz, respectively.
SING IT LIVE
Muni Long was heartbroken earlier this year when she realized her viral R&B hit, “Made for Me,” didn’t qualify for the 2025 show. But she submitted a live version of the song, from her BET Awards performance, and she’s now in contention: It’s nominated for best R&B performance. She’s also up for best R&B album (Revenge), best R&B song (“Ruined Me”) and best traditional R&B performance (“Make Me Forget”).
THE MAGICAL FLUTE
OutKast’s André 3000’s flute album has made a splash at the Grammys — it’s nominated for album of the year. André, along with Big Boi, previously won the top prize for Speakerboxxx/The Love Below in 2001; it is one of only two rap-based albums to win in the category. André’s New Blue Sun also earned a nod for best alternative jazz album, while “I Swear, I Really Wanted To Make A ‘Rap’ Album But This Is Literally The Way The Wind Blew Me This Time” — one of the longest song titles of all-time — is up for best instrumental composition.
GRAMMY LEGEND
John Legend has won 12 Grammys, but he’s scored nominations for best children’s music album and best arrangement, instrumental or a cappella for the first time. Legend’s My Favorite Dream, which was created for children and their families, was inspired by the singer’s own family and even features vocals from his wife Chrissy Teigen and two of his kids, Luna and Miles. For best arrangement, instrumental or a cappella, he’s nominated alongside Jacob Collier and Tori Kelly for arranging their version of “Bridge Over Troubled Water.”
BEATLES FAMILY
The Beatles scored two nominations — including record of the year — for their final song, “Now and Then.” And Sean Ono Lennon earned a nod for best boxed or special limited edition package as an art director of his father’s Mind Games celebratory re-release.
KATE BUSH, THE ART DIRECTOR
Before this year, Kate Bush earned three Grammy noms with no wins. But she has a chance to change that — as an art director. She’s nominated for best recording package and best boxed or special limited edition package for Hounds of Love the Baskerville Edition.
MOVIE MUSIC
Several viral music moments in films were honored with nominations. Deadpool & Wolverine, which brought new life to NSYNC’s “Bye, Bye, Bye,” is nominated for best compilation soundtrack for visual media. Saltburn is also in the category and resurrected Sophie Ellis-Bextor’s “Murder on the Dancefloor.” Other films in the category are heavily based in music, including The Color Purple, Maestro and Twisters, which has a stacked soundtrack featuring country stars like Shania Twain, Miranda Lambert, Luke Combs, Jelly Roll, Kane Brown and Lainey Wilson.
THE BOY IS MINE IS BACK
Monica and Brandy, who won a Grammy for their late ‘90s duet “The Boy Is Mine,” jumped on the remix of Ariana Grande’s song with the same title — and now that version is nominated for best pop duo/group performance. Grande’s other nominations include best pop vocal album for Eternal Sunshine and best dance pop recording for “Yes, And?”
FIRST-TIMERS
Willow Smith may follow in her father’s footsteps with a Grammy win. She earned her first-ever nomination this year — for best arrangement, instruments and vocals for “Big Feelings.” Other first-time nominees include Morgan Wallen, Sabrina Carpenter, Kim Gordon and Pete Rock.
FEMALE PRODUCERS
The last time a woman was nominated for non-classical producer of the year was at the 2019 show. A woman has never won the honor but things could change this year. Alissia, who has worked with Coco Jones, Chlöe, BJ The Chicago Kid, Rae Khalil and Lion Babe, is nominated in the category. Her competition includes Dan Nigro, Mustard, Dernst “D’Mile” Em
Credit: www.hollywoodreporter.com
