Some might say that 'Cowboy Carter' was a risky project for Beyoncé, as country music is a rarely explored genre for her, and many other typically pop musicians. However, with the album taking one of the favourite spots for ‘Album of the Year’, it is evident to see that Beyoncé’s status as a generational talent should not be questioned.
Appearing in almost every category she was eligible for, tracks such as 'Texas Hold ‘Em' and '16 Carriages' also gained her nominations in the categories for ‘Record of the Year’ and ‘Best Country Solo Performance’. To list every nomination would be long and repetitive, nonetheless the celebration of such a genre change can only be seen as a positive step for the music industry: embracing change, and rejecting the repetitive, formulaic approach many pop musicians are currently taking.
In a year of change for popular music, the 67th Grammy nominations also saw artists such as Charli xcx and Chappell Roan take multiple nominations. Charli’s cultural phenomenon of 'BRAT' received the chance to win ‘Album of the Year’, as well as positions in categories such as ‘Record of the Year’, and ‘Best Dance Pop Performance’.
Within the lesser focused categories, it is exciting to see the likes of Clairo receive her first ever Grammy nomination for her third album 'Charm'. Similarly, Fontaines D.C. receive two nominations to build upon their 2021 nomination, following a monumental year for the band.
As the Grammy Awards highlight the best of new and current music, the nominations received by none other than The Beatles for 'Now and Then' cement the significance of these awards, and demonstrates their long standing impact on the music world.
With the 67th Grammy Awards kicking off in February 2025 we are bound to see a plethora of both predictable and surprising winners, many of which I imagine will fall into the hands of Beyoncé. From first being nominated in 2001 to receiving 11 this time round, the Grammy’s serve to decorate the most popular and most culturally significant artists of our time.
