2025 Grammys: Predictions, Performances & What to Expect

The Grammys are here, and it’s time for one of the most anticipated nights in music: The 2025 Grammy Awards. A star-studded evening, the ceremony will take place on Sunday night, and it’s set to be a celebration of the year’s best music. From fierce competition for the album of the year award to highly anticipated performances, this year’s ceremony promises excitement, drama, and a few surprises.

In this article, we’ll take a deep dive into the key predictions, notable nominees, possible records to be broken, and how the wildfires in California will affect the ceremony. Here’s everything you need to know.

1) Who Will Win Album of the Year?

The biggest question of the night is whether Beyoncé will win the coveted Album of the Year award after multiple snubs in the past. She’s up for Cowboy Carter, her ambitious project celebrating Black country music and its rich history. With 11 nominations, this album is one of the most talked-about projects of the year, and many think it might finally be Beyoncé’s moment.

But there’s stiff competition. Hit Me Hard and Soft, Billie Eilish’s new album, is a strong contender, featuring a mix of power ballads and intense electronic beats. Charli XCX’s Brat has become a cultural phenomenon, though it may be too abrasive for some Grammy voters. Taylor Swift, with her latest album The Tortured Poets Department, is another contender, especially since she has an impressive history with the Grammy Awards.

For Taylor, a win would mean her fifth Album of the Year win, making her the most awarded artist in this category in Grammy history.

Other Contenders:

• Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter is a leading contender with the album’s profound impact on country music and its historical significance.
• Billie Eilish’s Hit Me Hard and Soft could potentially win the category, thanks to its unique sound and emotional depth.
• Charli XCX’s Brat and Taylor Swift’s The Tortured Poets Department are also up there for consideration.

2) Predictions for Record of the Year and Song of the Year

The Record of the Year category, which honors the best single, is one of the most anticipated. Sabrina Carpenter’s Espresso and Charli XCX’s 360 are strong contenders, but Kendrick Lamar’s Not Like Us could steal the spotlight. This track, which takes a hard jab at his rival Drake, is as catchy as it is controversial, making it a standout in this year’s competitive category.

In the Song of the Year category, which celebrates the achievement in songwriting, the battle is fierce between Bruno Mars and Lady Gaga’s Die With A Smile, and Billie Eilish’s Birds of a Feather. Other contenders include Shaboozey’s A Bar Song (Tipsy), a track that dominated the charts in 2024.

Other Contenders:

• Birds of a Feather by Billie Eilish could be a strong contender in both Record of the Year and Song of the Year categories.
• Not Like Us by Kendrick Lamar may be a game-changer for hip-hop at the Grammys.
• A Bar Song (Tipsy) by Shaboozey, with its chart-topping success, could surprise in this category.

3) The Battle for Best New Artist

The Best New Artist category is shaping up to be a tight race between Chappell Roan and Sabrina Carpenter, both of whom had a dominant year in 2024. Roan’s rise as a pop sensation and Carpenter’s ever-growing fanbase will make this one of the most anticipated awards of the night. While Raye, the British nominee, is up for consideration, she faces stiff competition from the two pop powerhouses.

This year’s nominees represent an exciting mix of genres, but it seems like a two-way race for the top prize.

4) Grammy Records That Could Be Broken

Several Grammy records could be broken this year, including Beyoncé’s potential to become the most-awarded artist in Grammy history. Her album Cowboy Carter is nominated in 11 categories, and if it wins the most awards, it would break the current record held by Santana, who won nine trophies in 2000.

Billie Eilish, with Birds of a Feather, could become the first female artist to win Record of the Year three times, joining an elite club that includes Paul Simon and Bruno Mars.

Also in the running for a record-breaking moment is rapper André 3000, who is up for Best Instrumental Composition. If he wins, it will be with the longest song title in Grammy history: I Swear, I Really Wanted To Make A ‘Rap’ Album But This Is Literally The Way The Wind Blew Me This Time.

5) The Voting Process

Who votes for the Grammys? More than 13,000 members of the Recording Academy, including musicians, producers, and songwriters, are eligible to vote for the Grammys. These voters are industry professionals who pay an annual subscription and have a deep knowledge of the music industry. Importantly, all former Grammy winners are also eligible to vote.

While all members vote for the biggest awards of the night, like Album of the Year and Song of the Year, they are encouraged to only vote in categories where they have expertise. The nominees and winners are kept a secret until the ceremony.

6) The Beatles’ Nominations

It’s been over 50 years since The Beatles disbanded, but the iconic band still holds a place at the Grammy table. In 2025, they’ve received two nominations for their song Now and Then, a demo recorded by John Lennon in the 1970s and finally completed by Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr.

The Beatles’ ability to remain a Grammy contender even decades after their prime speaks to their enduring influence on music. But it’s possible that their use of artificial intelligence to clean up Lennon’s old demo could turn some voters off, given the Recording Academy’s rules about human authorship.

7) Impact of California Wildfires on the Ceremony

This year, the California wildfires have cast a shadow over the Grammy Awards ceremony. The usual pre-parties and after-parties have been cancelled, and all money that would have been spent on these events has been redirected to relief efforts. The Recording Academy and its MusiCares charity have already pledged over $3.2 million in emergency aid to help music professionals affected by the fires.

The telecast will also reflect the devastating impact of the fires, with special tributes to the first responders and the people affected by the disaster. Bruno Mars and Lady Gaga will lead a special tribute to the city of Los Angeles and those impacted by the wildfires.

8) Performers at the 2025 Grammys

The 2025 Grammy Awards will feature performances from some of the biggest names in the music industry. The list of performers includes:

• Beyoncé
• Billie Eilish
• Sabrina Carpenter
• Charli XCX
• Raye
• Stevie Wonder
• Shakira
• Lady Gaga
• Bruno Mars
• And many more!

With such an incredible lineup, the 2025 Grammys are sure to deliver some unforgettable musical moments.

Final Thoughts

The 2025 Grammy Awards promise to be a night to remember. With a mix of established stars and up-and-coming talent, the evening is bound to showcase the best music of the year. From album of the year to best new artist, the competition is fierce, and anything can happen. Whatever the outcome, the ceremony will undoubtedly highlight the importance of music in shaping culture and creating change.