The New Era of Music Has Arrived

This year's Grammy Awards honored a fresh wave of bold and unique talents. 

February 3, 2025, 9:30 AM ET

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Resembling a wizard casting a spell, Chappell Roan accepted her first-ever Grammy with a pointed critique of the music industry. Named Best New Artist at last night’s ceremony, the 26-year-old singer took the stage wearing a pointed cap— which promptly tumbled to the floor— and a robe shimmering in pearlescent folds. Reading from a notebook, she reflected on being dropped by her first record label in 2020, calling it a betrayal by the system. She urged labels to treat artists fairly, advocating for living wages and healthcare.

Her words were striking, considering she appears to be thriving within the industry she criticized. A theatrical vocalist whose songs bristle with sass and bite, Roan has been pop’s breakout success over the past year. She earned nominations in all four major Grammy categories and delivered a dazzling performance with a troupe of rodeo clowns. Though sharply critical, her speech fit the evening’s tone—one that signaled a generational shift, welcoming a new class of bold, distinct voices.

While Grammy ceremonies often fade quickly from memory, this one is likely to stand out. For one, Beyoncé finally secured her first-ever Album of the Year win with Cowboy Carter, her country-infused record. Additionally, the Los Angeles fires cast a shadow over the night: host Trevor Noah repeatedly urged donations to relief efforts, ad space was dedicated to local businesses affected by the fires, and a group of firefighters presented the evening’s final award. The political landscape of Donald Trump’s second term was also unavoidable—Noah quipped about his potential deportation, Lady Gaga advocated for transgender visibility, and Alicia Keys declared, “DEI is not a threat; it’s a gift.”

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