An Honest Review of the Grammy Wins and Losses
The Grammys are coined as the biggest night in music. It’s the night that artists from across the board come together, take photo-ops, have their fashion judged and — if they’re lucky — take home a gramophone trophy.
I take the Grammys very seriously. From viewing the extravagant outfits to who is nominated, this is my Super Bowl. Music is one of my greatest passions. I love the idea that music is the universal language and no matter the language the lyrics are, everyone can understand a musical beat. As such, I meticulously crafted a list of my top categories and who I believe deserved the gramophone. Here are my picks:
Record of the Year
My pick: “The Subway” by Chappell Roan
The winner: “Luther” by Kendrick Lamar and SZA
The whole segment of this award being given out was iconic. From Cher presenting and forgetting to read the name card to her announcing the winner as Luther Vandross, the artist whose song was sampled for the winning song, “Luther.” Lamar and SZA’s win for Record of the Year was no disappointment or surprise to me. However, I would have preferred Roan’s passionate ballad, “The Subway.” The song was highly anticipated, having appeared in samples across social media prior to its release and screamed at Roan’s recent shows. “The Subway” is everything a song needs to be: simple yet telling.
My pick: “DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS” by Bad Bunny
The winner: “DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS” by Bad Bunny
Album of the year is the biggest award of the night, being presented this year by Harry Styles in a truly questionable outfit. Bad Bunny winning truly took me by surprise. I think he deserved the award, but I did not expect the Recording Academy to give it to him. With his upcoming performance at the Super Bowl receiving critical response, I am happy to see Bad Bunny receiving his flowers. I think he is about to have his biggest year yet.
Song of the Year
My pick: “Abracadabra” by Lady Gaga
The winner: “Wildflower” by Billie Eilish
The Recording Academy loves Billie Eilish. Having won 10 Grammys so far since first being nominated in 2020, Eilish is a familiar name at the awards. I believe “Wildflower” was a beautiful song, but was it the song to encapsulate 2025? No. Following Gaga’s release of “Abracadabra” in Feb. 2025, she proceeded to dominate the year, releasing her latest work “Mayhem,” an album that takes notes from Gaga’s early days.
Best New Artist
My pick: Olivia Dean
The winner: Olivia Dean
The best new artist category consisted of a wide range of genres and the trophy went to the powerhouse voice of Olivia Dean. 2025 was truly Dean’s year, with her specifically gaining traction on social media platforms. I can not even count how many get ready with me videos her songs have played in the background of. Dean can truly sing, and it’s understandable why her calming ballads make her the best new artist.
Best Pop Solo Performance
My pick: “The Subway” by Chappell Roan
The winner: “Messy” by Lola Young
I really wanted “The Subway” to win something. It is such a beautiful, gut-wrenching song that truly shows production value. “Messy” by Lola Young winning was not upsetting, though. Young has an incredibly unique voice that is refreshing to hear in the industry right now. Young took a brief hiatus from the spotlight for health issues, but she is back and I think better than ever.
Best Rock Performance
My pick: “U Should Not Be Doing That” by Amyl and the Sniffers
The winner: “Changes (Live from Villa Park) Back to the Beginning” by Yungblud, Nuno Bettencourt and Frank Bello, ft Adam Wakeman, II
Rest in peace Ozzy Osbourne, but I do not understand the Yungblud hype. Amyl and the Sniffers have been making their mark this past year. Lead singer Amy Taylor gives absolutely electric performances every time, her outfits are insane and she is truly a frontman. Comparing her performance and Yungblud’s, Taylor truly gave a rock performance.
Best Alternative Music Album
My pick: “Moisturizer” by Wet Leg
The winner: “Songs of a Lost World” by The Cure
The Cure took home the awards for both best alternative music album and alternative music performance. This surprised me that it was modern work from The Cure winning a Grammy, but what may be even more shocking was this was The Cure’s first Grammy win in their 50-year career. I would have loved to see Wet Leg receive one of these awards for their recent release “Moisterizer.” I thought Wet Leg was done with music after they went fairly silent after their 2022 self-titled album, which is a classic 2020’s album in my opinion. They have a true talent for creating something interesting to listen to with creative lyrics and entrancing beats.
Best Rap Song
My pick: “TV Off” by Kendrick Lamar
The winner: “TV Off” by Kendrick Lamar
Following his winning of five Grammys at the 2026 ceremonies, Kendrick Lamar is officially the most awarded rapper in Grammy history with 27 Grammys. Lamar has had an insane year after performing at the 2025 Super Bowl, taking his iconic song “Not Like Us” to the big stage and collectively having millions of people screaming “a-minor,” a creative play on music terminology and a dig at fellow rapper, Drake. Lamar’s award season run was truly deserved.
In all, this was a classic Grammys ceremony. There were a handful of celebrities creating a stir with their fashion, specifically Chappell Roan in her prosthetic nipple piercing gown. The major artists who passed in 2025 were honored including Ozzy Osbourne with a tribute performed interestingly enough by Post Malone. History was made with the album of the year award going to a Spanish-language album for the first time ever and Kendrick Lamar becoming the most decorated rapper in Grammy history. Next year’s ceremony is going to have a lot to live up to.
