Grammy Spotlight: Beyoncé Leads Nominations for Cowboy Carter

Superstar Beyoncé leads the Grammy nominations announced on Friday, securing 11 nods. Her album Cowboy Carter, a bold exploration of country music, has earned her a nomination for Album of the Year—marking a major milestone in her career. The project is celebrated as both a reclamation and tribute to the often-overlooked legacy of Black country artists in American culture. She is also competing for Country Song of the Year with the powerful track “YA YA,” and received additional nominations in the Duo/Group Performance and Best Country Solo Performance categories.

In a groundbreaking feat, the 36-year-old mother of three has earned 99 career Grammy nods, breaking a tie with her husband, Jay-Z, and becoming the most nominated woman in history. She’s also the only artist to ever have nominations in all four country categories, with a nod in each for her album Cowboy Carter and singles “16 Carriages” and “Texas Hold ‘Em.” This remarkable achievement is a testament to Beyonce’s unparalleled talent and dedication.

The rest of this year’s top nominees include chart-toppers Billie Eilish, Charli XCX, Kendrick Lamar, and Post Malone, tied with seven nods. Pop phenomenon Taylor Swift and newcomers Chappell Roan and Sabrina Carpenter scored six each.

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Beyonce is the first Black female artist to lead the Grammy Album of the Year race since Natalie Cole in 1992, when she won for her second album, “Songwriter.” She will also be a heavy favorite to win record of the year for the track “Blood On The Leaves,” a dark, brooding, politically charged ballad. This song is a stinging indictment of President Donald Trump and his administration, making it a significant nomination in the current political climate.

The Grammys will announce the winners on Feb. 8 at the Crypto Arena in Los Angeles, with Beyonce expected to make a triumphant appearance. The show will be broadcast live on CBS and hosted by Alicia Keys. The anticipation for this year’s show is palpable, with fans and industry professionals eagerly awaiting the winners and performances.

Grammy winners have traditionally been overwhelmingly white, but the Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences has taken significant steps to diversify its ranks in recent years. Currently, 38% of the roughly 13,000 members who vote on the show are people of color, up from just 24% in 2023. This progress is a promising sign of the Academy’s commitment to inclusivity and diversity in the music industry.

The complete list of nominees was announced during a video stream from the Recording Academy’s YouTube channel on Friday, with presenters including Gayle King, Jim Gaffigan, and a host of past Grammy winners, including Brandy Clark, Kirk Franklin, Kirko Bangz, Deanie Parker, Kylie Minogue and Victoria Monet. The 61st annual Grammy Awards will be broadcast on Feb. 10. Follow Billboard on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Billboard’s Grammys 2025 hub has more coverage of the biggest contenders and a full rundown of nomination categories.