November 9, 2024: The 2025 Grammy nominations have officially been announced, and it’s a year dominated by Queen Bey. Beyoncé leads the way with an astounding 11 nominations, including Album of the Year for her record Cowboy Carter, bringing her career total to an impressive 99 Grammy nods—making her the most-nominated artist in Grammy history.
While Beyoncé’s success continues, there’s a notable absence: none of the BTS members, who released solo albums this year, received any nominations. RM, J-Hope, and Jimin, who each dropped well-received projects like Right Place, Wrong Person, Hope on the Street, Vol. 1, and Muse, respectively, were notably left out of the 2025 race. Fans and critics alike are still processing the lack of recognition for the global superstars, who have previously earned five nominations as a group.
Key Nominations and Major Contenders – Beyoncé Tops 2025 Grammy Nominations with 11, BTS Snubbed Despite Solo Releases
This year’s Grammys are shaping up to be another exciting showdown. Beyoncé’s dominance is a key story, but she faces stiff competition from some of the biggest names in music today. Here’s a rundown of the major categories and artists in the mix:
- Album of the Year: Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter is a standout contender alongside Taylor Swift’s The Tortured Poets Department, Billie Eilish’s Hit Me Hard and Soft, and Charli XCX’s Brat. Chappell Roan, the breakout country-pop star, also earned a nomination for her debut album The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess.
- Record of the Year: Beyoncé’s Texas Hold ‘Em, Charli XCX’s 360, and Kendrick Lamar’s Not Like Us are among the top contenders for this prestigious award, which also includes new work from Billie Eilish and Sabrina Carpenter.
- Song of the Year: The category features a mix of established names like Beyoncé with Texas Hold ‘Em, and newcomers like Shaboozey with A Bar Song (Tipsy), reflecting the broad range of talent represented at this year’s ceremony.
Newcomers like Sabrina Carpenter, Chappell Roan, and Doechii are making waves in the Best New Artist category, alongside a mix of veterans and breakthrough acts. Billie Eilish, Post Malone, and Kendrick Lamar, all regulars in Grammy discussions, also find themselves leading the pack with multiple nominations across several categories.
BTS’ Absence Sparks Debate
Despite BTS’ immense global popularity and the success of their solo projects this year, the group’s members were noticeably absent from this year’s nominations. RM’s Right Place, Wrong Person, J-Hope’s Hope on the Street, Vol. 1, and Jimin’s Muse were all snubbed, drawing the ire of some fans who feel the Grammy Awards have not fully embraced the K-pop phenomenon’s evolution.
Industry figures, like Mason Jr., have suggested that representation in the Grammy voting process is still evolving, and there is room for improvement in the way music from different genres and cultural movements is recognized. “We need the right representation to get the right results,” says Mason Jr., emphasizing the ongoing work to make the Grammy process more reflective of the diverse sounds shaping the global music scene today.
Grammy Moments to Watch for in 2025
The 2025 Grammy Awards, airing live from Los Angeles’ Crypto.com Arena on February 2, promise to deliver an unforgettable night of music. In addition to the major categories, other highlights include:
- Best Country Album: Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter is making waves even in the country genre, facing competition from Chris Stapleton, Kacey Musgraves, and Post Malone.
- Best Pop Solo Performance: Beyoncé, Billie Eilish, Charli XCX, and Sabrina Carpenter are all up for this award, offering a blend of pop’s biggest stars.
- Best Alternative Music Performance: With nominations for bands like Cage the Elephant and Fontaines D.C., the rock and alternative categories will keep fans on the edge of their seats.
The 2025 nominations reflect an industry still grappling with shifts in musical genres, representation, and what it means to be a global music icon. Beyoncé’s dominance, combined with the exclusion of BTS from this year’s nominations, is a reflection of both the evolving tastes of Grammy voters and the ongoing conversation around the importance of inclusivity in the music world.