Already the most-awarded artist in Grammy history, Beyonce had never received the album of the year trophy - the Grammys' top prize - despite going into Sunday's ceremony with 32 career wins.
Taylor Swift clinked glasses with Beyonce's husband Jay-Z in celebration of the win.
Presenting Album of the Year at the 67th — Recording Academy / GRAMMYs (@RecordingAcad) #GRAMMYs, please welcome the members of the County of Los Angeles Fire Department! pic.twitter.com/EdH58obfhHFebruary 3, 2025
"I wanna dedicate this to Miss Martell, and I hope we just keep pushing forward, opening doors," Beyonce said, referencing Linda Martell, a pioneer for Black artists in country music.
The superstar US singer said earlier she was "in shock" after also winning the Grammy for best country album for Cowboy Carter - her first venture into the genre.
The Beyonce album was snubbed by voters for the Country Music Awards in their nominations in September.
"Really I was not expecting this," Beyonce said after she was handed the country Grammy trophy by presenter Taylor Swift.
"I want to thank God that I'm able to still do what I love after so many years."
Kendrick Lamar was another of the night's big winners, claiming record and song of the year for his diss track Not Like Us - the second hip-hop single to ever win in the category.
Kendrick Lamar, left, won the record of the year Grammy for Not Like Us. (AP PHOTO)
The first was Childish Gambino's This Is America.
"We're gonna dedicate this one to the city," Lamar said before shouting out Los Angeles area neighbourhoods.
The track also earned Lamar Grammys for best rap song and best rap performance.
Chappell Roan nudged aside Sabrina Carpenter to win the Grammy for best new artist, capping a remarkably explosive rise to fame for an artist dropped by her last record label.
Chappell Roan took out the best new artist Grammy. (AP PHOTO)
Roan, who is openly queer and taps into drag culture, was the sassy toast of the pop world in 2024 with tracks including Good Luck, Babe!, Red Wine Supernova and Hot To Go! from her 2023 album The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess.
In her speech, she called for record labels to give a livable wage and health care, especially for developing artists.
"It was devastating to feel so committed to my art and feel so betrayed by the system and dehumanised," Roan said.
Earlier Carpenter won best pop vocal album Short n' Sweet, minutes after she performed hits Please Please Please and Espresso on the Grammys stage.
Doechii won the Grammy for best rap album for Alligator Bites Never Heal. (AP PHOTO)
"This is my first Grammy so I'm going to cry," Carpenter said as she accepted the trophy.
Doechii became the third woman in Grammy history to win best rap album for Alligator Bites Never Heal.
As she accepted the award, she offered words of encouragement to Black women and girls.
"Anything is possible," Doechii said as she held her trophy.
"Don't allow anyone to project any stereotypes on you."
Host Trevor Noah paid tribute to Los Angeles following the city's devastation from wildfires. (AP PHOTO)
Beyonce and Miley Cyrus won the trophy for best country duo or group performance for II Most Wanted.
The 2025 Grammy festivities were revamped to be part awards show and part fundraiser for people affected by the wildfires, which were contained on Friday after killing 29 people and displacing thousands including many musicians.
The show opened with an all-star rendition I Love LA featuring Altadena-based band Dawes backed by John Legend, Brad Paisley, St Vincent and Brittany Howard.
"Tonight, we decided we are not just celebrating our favourite music. We are also celebrating the city that brought us so much of that music," host Trevor Noah said.
with AP
