The biggest night of music, also known as The Grammy Awards, was a night full of cheer, upsets, and celebration. The show was, dare I say, the best Grammy Awards I have seen in a while. From artists like Kendrick Lamar having clean sweeps to artists like Billie Eilish going home empty-handed, the 2025 Grammy’s made for an entertaining night.
To kick off the event, the band Dawes paid homage to those affected by the LA fires, performing the song “I Love LA,” by Randy Newman. Taylor Goldsmith, the band’s guitarist and vocalist, lost his home in the fires, making the performance even more impactful. During the performance, Dawes was accompanied by well-known names like John Legend, Brad Paisley, and more. To spread further awareness and support for the fires, the host of the night TV personality, Trevor Noah, shared consistent details throughout the night on how to donate to fire relief organizations.
Performances
In addition to a performance by Dawes, the night consisted of performances from big names like The Weeknd, Chappel Roan, Sabrina Carpenter, and Doechi. It was made apparent that there was no shortage of musical talent.
The Weeknd
To many people’s surprise, singer The Weeknd gave a performance of music from his newly released album “Hurry Up Tomorrow.” The performance was a shock, as he has publicly boycotted the Grammys for multiple years. In previous years, the Weeknd expressed his disapproval of the Recording Academy, stating that the Grammys were “corrupt” and lacked “transparency.” To make the performance more noteworthy, the chief executive officer of the Recording Academy, Harvey Mason Jr. introduced the performance, where he discussed the improvements that have been made to the Academy to combat consistent complaints. The Weeknd’s presence was a testament that positive change has occurred within the academy.
Best New Artist Category
Best New Artist, a highly anticipated category, was given a moment to shine, as each nominee in the category got a chance to perform. As one nominee finished their performance, the camera would roll to the next nominee’s performance, creating a seamless and non-stop entertaining segment. Sabrina Carpenter and Chapell Roan, two of the nominees in the category, performed prior to the fun-filled segment, but that still left the six other nominees to perform. Nominees Teddy Swims, Khruangbin, Doechi, Benson Boone, Raye, and Shaboozey all took their turns on the stage. Each nominee claimed their spots in the category, showing their authenticity and effortless talent. However, I think performances from Doechi, Benson Boone, and Raye, took the cake for being the most captivating.
Doechi
Doechi, also known as the swamp princess, showed her unique style and originality, with a performance of her songs “Catfish,” and “Denial is a River.” Her sound is refreshing, rhythmically satisfying, and a reminder that women rappers are here to stay. Her clothing, set design, and dancers, elevate her music even more, adding a visual experience that is captivating to watch. Doechi is truly changing the game, and I think many more Grammys are in store for her in the future.
Benson Boone
Benson Boone, who was a former contestant on American Idol, caught the attention of the audience in no time. He did not one, but two backflips in his performance; a skill that I did not expect to see at an award show. Boone’s youthful energy and large stage presence make him an artist that you can’t help but watch. I may not listen to his music, but he sure knows how to perform. To elevate his performance even more, he wore a blue sparkly jumpsuit, as if he was trying to channel his inner Elvis or Freddy Mercury. Boone made it look as if performing live is no difficult task, singing near perfect pitch while moving around the stage at full speed.
Raye
British singer Raye took a more classical approach to her performance, singing alongside a full band and string orchestra. Raye made it clear that she can sing, hitting high notes with ease, while maintaining a clear and rich tone in her voice. She brought an old-timey feel to the show, singing with a long wired microphone and no backup dancers. If you didn’t know Raye before, you will definitely know Raye after seeing this performance.
Quincy Jones Tribute
Another talent-packed performance from the night was a group of multiple performances that paid tribute to the late music legend Quincy Jones. The tribute started out with a performance from Wicked star Cynthia Erivo, who was accompanied by Herbie Hancock on the piano. Erivo sang Frank Sinatra’s “Fly Me to the Moon,” which was arranged by Jones. Erivo’s rendition of the song was slow and jazzy, showcasing Erivo’s smooth and clever vocal runs. The tribute also consisted of performances from Country singer Laniey Wilson and singer Janelle Monet, however, a performance from Stevie Wonder was one that stuck with me. In addition to singing, Wonder performed a harmonica solo, which left me in awe, as I wasn’t aware of the large variety of sounds that a harmonica can produce. After his harmonica solo, Wonder started singing the well-known song “We Are The World,” a song that became a world-wide anthem in 1985, raising money to help with food scarcity in Africa. Jones was a producer on the song, which features the voices of icons like Michael Jackson, Bob Dylan, and Tina Turner. To have a performance of “We Are the World,” from one of the original singers in the song, was a treat that gave the audience a beacon of hope in these trying times. The song not only reminded the audience of Quincy’s monumental impact on the music industry, but it showcased what the main message of music truly is, spreading love.
Charli XCX Finishes out the show
The last performance of the night was none other than the BRAT queen, Charli XCX. After her songs dominated everyone’s summer playlists, it seemed only fitting that she closed the show. It felt as if her performance was BRAT’s final farewell. Charli started off her performance, not on the stage, but in what looked like a parking garage outside of the venue. She rocked a two-piece light blue outfit, with her classic black shades and curly hair. Charli eventually made her way to the stage, with a posse following behind her. The posse included many familiar faces, such as Julia Fox and Alex Consani. Musician The Dare also made a cameo, wearing his signature attire of a black suit and tie. Charli performed her hits “Von Dutch” and “Guess.” While Charli performed, her posse partied behind her, rocking various Brat-inspired outfits. The scene looked like it was right of a dance club you would see in a movie. To top it off, pieces of what looked like paper, fell from the ceiling, adding to the pure chaos of the performance. The energy was electric and perfectly illustrated what Brat is all about, having fun and not taking life too seriously.
It’s fair to say that the 2025 Grammy Awards was a packed night full of fun and entertainment. The Best New Artist category was stacked with talent, including names like Doechi, Raye, and Chappel Roan. The Weeknd showed his respect for the Recording Academy, helping the academy gain a likable identity. A thoughtful tribute was given to the late Quincy Jones, which included a moving performance of “We Are The World,” from one of the greats, Stevie Wonder. Wrapping it all up, Charli XCX brought the energy back up, creating a party on stage. All in all, the night was one to remember, and you can guarantee that I will be rewatching clips from this show for a while.
Sources:
https://variety.com/2025/music/news/the-weeknd-grammys-performance-ends-awards-boycott-1236294131/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/We_Are_the_World
https://www.billboard.com/music/awards/dawes-i-love-la-2025-grammys-1235890341/
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