LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 11: (EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NO STANDALONE PUBLICATION USE (NO SPECIAL INTEREST OR SINGLE ARTIST PUBLICATION USE; NO BOOK USE)) (L-R) Beyoncé Knowles-Carter and Taylor Swift attend the "Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour" Concert Movie World Premiere at AMC The Grove 14 on October 11, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by John Shearer/Getty Images for TAS)
The 2025 GRAMMY Awards will be remembered for their historic victories and spontaneous, joyous moments illuminating the stage and audience. Taylor Swift and Beyoncé are two of the most popular music stars.
They were the unexpected winners of the night. Their infectious dance moves to Kendrick Lamar’s ‘Not Like Us’ went viral, proving that camaraderie is the top priority even in competition.
When Legends Vibe to a Diss Track
Kendrick Lamar had a stellar night, winning four Grammys, including Record of the Year for “Not Like Us,” his ferocious May 2024 clap back at Drake. The song, already a cultural phenomenon, became the song of the night. Cameras captured Beyonce clapping and dancing as Lamar ascended the stage to claim his final award, clapping rhythmically and swaying to the beat with her signature poise. Moments later, the focus turned to Taylor Swift, who embraced the moment unapologetically despite her self-aware, delightfully awkward dancing.
The contrast between Beyonce’s cool confidence and Swift’s playful dancing energy, as if no one is watching, quickly became a meme. Social media erupted, with fans dubbing the duo ‘the ultimate hype women’ and praising their ability to celebrate a rival’s success. Swift and Beyoncé were both nominated for the same award, Swift for ‘Fortnight’ and Beyoncé for ‘TEXAS HOLD ‘EM’, but their genuine delight at Lamar’s triumph highlighted the night’s theme of music as a unifying force.
Beyoncé’s Country Crossover Makes GRAMMY History
While Swift’s dancing charmed viewers, Beyonce etched her name more profoundly into the GRAMMY history books. She was awarded the Best Country Album for her genre-defying album Cowboy Carter, which beat out Kacey Musgraves and Chris Stapleton. Her 34th GRAMMY win made her the most-awarded artist in the ceremony’s history. Beyonce was given the trophy by Swift, who won the same award for ‘Fearless’ in 2010. The exchange symbolized mutual respect between two artists who have repeatedly broken industry barriers. The Best Country Album victory by Beyoncé was a milestone that went beyond the GRAMMYs stage, highlighting her role in challenging genre boundaries and advocating for inclusivity in music.
A Night of Unity and Joy
Swift and Beyoncé’s pure joy was distinct from Lamar‘s lyrical triumphs, Miley Cyrus’s electric performances, and SZA’s soulful sweep. The message of the evening was that music has the power to connect, heal, and inspire, whether through a chart-topping hit or an unplanned dance party. When Taylor Swift and Beyoncé decided to groove, the world couldn’t help but join in, as the lights dimmed at the 67th GRAMMYs.
