At the 67th Grammy Awards, Beyoncé made history by winning Best Album for her groundbreaking eighth album, Cowboy Carter. The win not only marks a personal milestone but also shines a light on the often-overlooked black roots of country music. After being overlooked for the top Grammy prize four times before, Beyoncé’s win was widely seen as a long-overdue correction.
“I just feel very full and very honored,” she said, visibly moved. “It’s been many, many years.”
The artist dedicated her award to Linda Martell, a trailblazer in country music and the first black woman to perform solo at the Grand Ole Opry—whose influence can be heard across Cowboy Carter.
“I hope we just keep pushing forward, opening doors,” Beyoncé continued. “God bless y’all. Thank you so much.”
This victory marks 25 years since Beyoncé’s first Grammy nomination with Destiny’s Child, and she now holds 35 Grammys, making her the most-awarded artist in the ceremony’s history. However, the top prize had previously eluded her.
Notably, the win also makes Beyoncé the first Black woman to win Album of the Year since Lauryn Hill in 1999.
Earlier in the evening, Cowboy Carter took home Best Country Album, catching Beyoncé completely off guard. As her name was announced, her shock was clear. “Wow, I really was not expecting this,” she said in her acceptance speech, thanking the country artists who voted for her.
