Grammy Awards 2025 Premiere Ceremony: A Night of Historic Firsts and Cultural Milestones
The 68th annual Grammy Awards commenced on Sunday with a spectacular Premiere Ceremony in Los Angeles, marking a significant departure from last year's wildfire relief focus by celebrating musical excellence through numerous groundbreaking achievements. Held at the Peacock Theater ahead of the main televised broadcast from the Crypto.com Arena, the event set a vibrant tone with high-energy performances and emotional acceptance speeches, highlighting both artistic triumphs and social commentary.
K-pop Breaks Grammy Barrier with Inaugural Victory
In a landmark moment for global music, "Golden" by KPop Demon Hunters secured the award for song written for visual media, becoming the first-ever Grammy awarded to a K-pop act. The songwriters delivered a bilingual acceptance speech in English and Korean, emphasizing the track's cultural crossover and worldwide appeal. This victory is widely regarded as a pivotal breakthrough, showcasing K-pop's expanding influence within the Recording Academy and its evolution from chart dominance to prestigious awards recognition.
Steven Spielberg Achieves EGOT Distinction with Grammy Win
Renowned filmmaker Steven Spielberg earned his first Grammy Award for the music film "Music for John Williams," thereby completing the coveted EGOT status—an honor held by only a select few in entertainment history. With this win, Spielberg now possesses an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony Award, solidifying his legacy as one of the most accomplished figures in modern cultural production.
Premiere Ceremony Highlights and First-Time Winners
Hosted by musician Darren Criss, the ceremony kicked off with the presentation of the first award, best pop/duo group performance, to Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande for "Defying Gravity," though neither artist was present. Throughout the event, 86 Grammy Awards were distributed, with several artists celebrating their inaugural wins across diverse genres:
- Yungblud won rock performance for his cover of Black Sabbath's "Changes (live from Villa Park)," recorded at Ozzy Osbourne's final concert.
- Hardcore band Turnstile claimed victories in rock album and metal performance, with frontman Brendan Yates dedicating the win to their hometown of Baltimore.
- The Cure secured alternative music performance but were absent due to the funeral of longtime guitarist Perry Archangelo Bamonte.
- FKA twigs earned her first Grammy for best dance/electronic album for "EUSEXUA," expressing surprise and gratitude during her acceptance.
- Rapper Lefty Gunplay won rap performance for his role on Kendrick Lamar's "TV Off," inspiring Latino youth with a message of possibility.
Latin Music Triumphs and Political Statements
Latin music shone brightly, with Natalia Lafourcade winning best Latin pop album for "Cancionera" and CA7RIEL and Paco Amoroso taking best Latin rock or alternative album for "Papota" on their first nomination. Carín León won Música Mexicana album for "Palabra De To's (Seca)," his second Grammy. Amid the celebrations, political commentary emerged, particularly regarding immigration policies:
- Country duo/group performance winners Shaboozey and Jelly Roll both won their first Grammys, with Shaboozey tearfully thanking his immigrant mother and stating, "Immigrants built this country."
- Amy Allen, who won songwriter of the year for the second consecutive year, wore an "ICE Out" pin, a sentiment echoed by Kehlani after winning R&B performance and R&B song.
- Backstage, Gloria Estefan expressed concern over the political climate, highlighting issues like children in detention centers.
Energetic Opening and Anticipation for Main Broadcast
The ceremony opened with a dynamic performance of "Shining Star" by Earth, Wind & Fire, joined by Israel Houghton, Lila Ike, Grace Potter, Maggie Rose, and Trombone Shorty. Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. praised the opening as a statement of joy and resilience. As comedian Trevor Noah prepared to host the main broadcast for his sixth and final year, the industry eagerly anticipated the televised ceremony, where more top awards would be contested among music's biggest names.
