The Record Of The Year Category honors some of the year's biggest recordings — and at the 2025 GRAMMYs, the nominees are hits by a mix of newcomers and superstars.

Throughout the past year, Billie Eilish, Sabrina Carpenter, Charli xcx, and Chappell Roan proved why they're at the top of pop's current class. The Beatles and Kendrick Lamar both cemented their respective legacies, while Beyoncé and Taylor Swift continue to challenge their own musical boundaries.

With a range of unforgettable music moments, there's no telling who will take home the golden gramophone for Record Of The Year — which is awarded to the artist and the producer(s), recording engineer(s) and/or mixer(s) and mastering engineer(s) — at the 67th Annual GRAMMY Awards. But one thing is for sure: the eight nominees make for quite an exciting contest.

Check out the nominees below and read the full 2025 GRAMMYs nominations list ahead of Music's Biggest Night on Sunday, Feb. 2, 2025.

It can take years for an artist to work on their masterpiece. In the Beatles' case, the journey of "Now And Then" took 45 years. John Lennon originally wrote the demo in the late '70s. It's a mournful, piano-backed confession: "I know it's true/ It's all because of you/ And if I make it through/ It's all because of you."

The song remained unfinished long after Lennon's tragic 1980 passing, but — in a powerful act of love — his bandmates completed it for him. Paul McCartney enlisted Giles Martin (the son of Beatles' former producer and longtime collaborator George Martin) as the song's co-producer, using Lennon's original 1977 demo, George Harrison's guitar melodies from the 1995 Anthology sessions, and Ringo Starr's drumming and backing vocals from 2022. "Now And Then," which marked the Beatles' 35th top 10 single on the Billboard Hot 100, is a tearful close to the band's legacy. 

"Obviously, it hasn't been, but it sounds like John's written it for Paul now, in a very emotional way," Martin told Rolling Stone. "It's a bittersweet song, which is very John. But with a combination of happiness and regret." 

McCartney never gave up on the song, which is a testament that true friendship never dies.

Beyoncé — "TEXAS HOLD 'EM"

After shimmying underneath a disco ball for 2022's GRAMMY-winning RENAISSANCE, Beyoncé wanted to keep the dance party going on 2024's COWBOY CARTER — except this time around, she traded Studio 54 for a honky-tonk. But "TEXAS HOLD 'EM," the album's joint lead single alongside "16 CARRIAGES," is much more than an instructional hoedown.

The 32-time GRAMMY winning icon has long incorporated African American history in her music, and "TEXAS HOLD 'EM" is no different. The single, like many tunes on COWBOY CARTER, is rooted in liberation. Country music is the backbone of America, but its roots in Black culture are often hidden. With "TEXAS HOLD 'EM," Beyoncé lifts the veil off the genre's true history by celebrating both her Houston heritage and the Black country artists that paved the way for her.

The song's message is clear, but it's balanced by playful melodies, Beyoncé's signature stacked harmonies and a plucking banjo (played by Rhiannon Giddens, an advocate for the reclamation of country music instruments by Black musicians). While Beyoncé is no stranger to chart-topping hits ("TEXAS HOLD 'EM" is her ninth solo No. 1 single on the Hot 100), she made history as the first Black woman to score a No. 1 on Billboard's Hot Country Songs chart.

Sabrina Carpenter does whimsy so well. Chalk it up to her Disney Channel roots, but the singer's innate ability to craft an earworm is why she's skyrocketed as one of the biggest pop stars of the new generation. "Espresso," the lead single from 2024's Short n' Sweet album and unofficial song of the summer, encapsulates Carpenter's irresistible charm.

"The song is kind of about seeing femininity as your superpower, and embracing the confidence of being that b—," she told Vogue in April. 

That confidence is found all throughout "Espresso," from her cooing vocals to her cheeky songwriting ("I can't relate to desperation/ My give-a-f—s are on vacation"). Topped off by an irresistibly catchy, undulating chorus, "Espresso" helped Carpenter reach several career milestones that kickstarted a year full of them — including her first GRAMMY nominations.

Charli xcx has long been one of the coolest girls in pop, and her sixth album brat cemented that fact. On "360," the album's second single, the British star not only acknowledges her own cool factor, but of those around her. Produced by longtime collaborator A. G. Cook, the song trades in the producer's signature exaggerated hyperpop sonics for more minimalistic synths that complement Charli's auto-tuned vocals.

"I went my own way and I made it/ I'm your favorite reference, baby," Charli xcx exclaims on the cocky opening line before comparing herself to friends like model/musician Gabbriette and actress Julia Fox. "360" is a cheeky reflection of the ever-growing digital era, giving fellow internet "It" girls an anthem for the ages.

Billie Eilish — "BIRDS OF A FEATHER"

The beauty of Billie Eilish's artistry is in her vulnerability. For the nine-time GRAMMY winner's third album HIT ME HARD AND SOFT, she pushed herself into her deeper territories with the assistance of her brother and go-to collaborator FINNEAS.

Second single "BIRDS OF A FEATHER" best exemplifies the album title's meaning in both its tenderness and desperation. It was initially intended to be a traditional love song, but given the siblings' unorthodox track record, they couldn't resist making it slightly untraditional: "I want you to stay/ 'Til I'm in the grave/ 'Til I rot away, dead and buried/ 'Til I'm in the casket you carry," Eilish sings on the opening verse in her signature whisper. 

Even with the juxtaposing lyrics, the song's airy production and wistfully gauzy synths still make for a beautiful, adoring statement piece. And the heartfelt sentiment paired with Eilish's breathy vocals quickly made "BIRDS OF A FEATHER" the biggest hit from HIT ME HARD AND SOFT, already garnering nearly 1.5 billion Spotify streams as of press time.

Branding Kendrick Lamar's "Not Like Us" as merely a diss track would be doing it a disservice. The 17-time GRAMMY winner's tune is not just a rap song, but a cultural phenomenon. A seething finale to his (very public) feud with Drake, "Not Like Us" is a triumphant win for both Lamar and rap music as a whole.

Atop a buzzing sample of Monk Higgins' 1968 "I Believe to My Soul" cover, Lamar delivers slick wordplay and calls out Drake's presumed cultural appropriation of Southern rap: "You run to Atlanta when you need a few dollars/ No, you not a colleague, you a f—in' colonizer."

Following its release, the song took on a life on its own: tennis icon Serena Williams (Drake's alleged former lover) crip walked to the track at the 2024 ESPY Awards, Megan Thee Stallion and Janet Jackson incorporated it into their concerts, and many national sports leagues used it in their game broadcasts.

Drama aside, "Not Like Us" — which also scored a Song Of The Year nomination — is a celebration of West Coast hip-hop. Lamar, a proud Compton native, enlisted Los Angeles-born DJ Mustard to produce the track. The chopped-up sample is inspired by Oakland's "hyphy" rap subgenre, while Lamar exaggerates his already-animated cadence, paying homage to late Los Angeles rapper Drakeo the Ruler. While "Not Like Us" is a targeted diss, it's also a reminder of California's historical impact on rap — and Lamar's place within that legacy.

Chappell Roan grabbed the world's attention with her bombastic interpretation of baroque pop and her knack for highlighting queer romance. "Good Luck, Babe!," April's breakout hit following her 2023 debut LP, The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess, ushered in a new chapter.

The song discusses compulsory heterosexuality, as Roan sings about a woman she's dating who tries to deny her feelings for Roan: "You can kiss a hundred boys in bars/ Shoot another shot, try to stop the feeling." 

"I knew exactly what I wanted. I wrote it in three minutes," Chappell Roan told Rolling Stone of the song's creation, which she co-wrote alongside Daniel Nigro and Justin Tranter. "I felt so much anger. I was so upset. It all came out and I didn't add anything when I wrote it all done. It was a perfect storm."

The anger definitely explodes on "Good Luck, Babe!," with Roan channeling '80s divas like Kate Bush and George Michael. The singer's goal was to make a "big anthemic pop song," and "Good Luck, Babe!" soared beyond all expectations.

Taylor Swift Feat. Post Malone — "Fortnight"

Despite nailing a formula that has made her one of the biggest pop stars of all time, Taylor Swift is still willing to take risks.

"Fortnight," from the 14-time GRAMMY winner's The Tortured Poets Department, serves as both the LP's first single and opening track. The chart-topping smash introduces the album's moodier tones, telling the story of a woman in an unhappy marriage who is now the neighbor to her ex-lover and his new wife. 

Atop '80s-inspired electropop synths courtesy of longtime collaborator and co-producer Jack Antonoff, the lyrics are unexpectedly dismal for Swift: "I took the miracle move-on drug, the effects were temporary/ And I love you, it's ruining my life." Featured artist Post Malone then sweeps in with his melancholic harmonies, giving more emotional weight to Swift's brilliant storytelling.

The Recording Academy Producers & Engineers Wing will honor legendary producer, engineer, mixer, and five-time GRAMMY winner Jimmy Douglass at its annual GRAMMY Week Celebration, which is set to take place Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, days ahead of the 2025 GRAMMYs. The celebration, an official GRAMMY Week 2025 event, will be held at The Preserve LA in East Hollywood and will salute Douglass’ extraordinary contributions to the music industry and his enduring impact on modern sound.

In addition to honoring Douglass, the event will also celebrate the year-round work of the Producers & Engineers Wing and its members, who work together to advise the Recording Academy on technical best practices, advocate for the rights of music creators, and shape the future of the recording field.

GRAMMY Week 2025 culminates with the 2025 GRAMMYs, officially known as the 67th Annual GRAMMY Awards, which take place live on Sunday, Feb. 2, at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. The 2025 GRAMMYs will broadcast live on the CBS Television Network and stream live and on-demand on Paramount+ at 8-11:30 p.m. ET/5-8:30 p.m. PT. Prior to the telecast, the 2025 GRAMMY Awards Premiere Ceremony will be held at the Peacock Theater at 12:30 p.m. PT/3:30 p.m. ET and will be streamed live on live.GRAMMY.com and the Recording Academy's YouTube channel.

Learn more about Jimmy Douglass below:

Known as "The Senator," Douglass is a five-time GRAMMY winner and 11-time GRAMMY nominee whose prolific career began in the early '70s at Atlantic Records studios in New York City. Starting as a part-time tape duplicator while still in high school, he quickly rose through the ranks, learning from legendary figures like Tom Dowd, Arif Mardin, Jerry Wexler, and Ahmet Ertegun. He went on to work with major Atlantic Recording artists such as Aretha Franklin, Hall & Oates, Roberta Flack, Donny Hathaway, Foreigner, Led Zeppelin, and AC/DC, among many others. By the 1980s, Douglass expanded his repertoire by taking on production roles; he engineered and produced established artists including The Rolling Stones, Slave, Odyssey, Roxy Music and Gang of Four.

In the early 1990s, Douglass refined his skills by working on jingles and post-production, a period that honed his ability to work efficiently while capturing the essence of each project. This foundation proved pivotal when he began a groundbreaking partnership with Timbaland in 1994, for whom he served the main engineer for more than a decade. Together, they collaborated on classic projects by Aaliyah, Missy Elliott, Jay-Z, and others, shaping the sound of contemporary R&B and hip-hop.

In the 2000s, Douglass continued to innovate. He engineered and mixed more Timbaland-produced projects from artists including Snoop Dogg, Bjork and GRAMMY-winning albums for Justin Timberlake. Among the artists he also mixed are Rob Thomas, Sean Paul, Kanye West, Ludacris, Al Green, John Legend, and Duran Duran.

Renowned for bringing unconventional techniques into the studio and encouraging artists to transcend genre restrictions, he is credited with bringing a raw edge to sound and specifically bringing a heavy funk-bass sound into rock music.

Douglass remains at the forefront of the industry, leveraging his decades of experience to push creative boundaries while inspiring countless artists. His versatility and technical mastery have solidified his status as one of the most respected producers, engineers and mixers in the world.

"Our P&E Wing proudly celebrates GRAMMY Week each year with a special evening that unites producers, engineers and artistic professionals to honor a truly deserving creator," Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason jr. said in a statement. "This year, we're thrilled to pay tribute to the extraordinary Jimmy Douglass, who has led groundbreaking creative and technical efforts in the recording industry, encouraging artists to transcend genre boundaries and contributing to iconic musical projects that will resonate for generations."

 "Throughout his illustrious career spanning more than four decades, Jimmy's visionary approach to producing, engineering and mixing has shaped some of music's most iconic recordings. Jimmy consistently pushes the boundaries of sound by bringing unconventional techniques into the studio while inspiring countless artists along the way," Maureen Droney, Vice President of the Recording Academy Producers & Engineers Wing, echoed the sentiment in a statement. "On behalf of the Producers & Engineers Wing, we are delighted to dedicate our 2025 event to Jimmy and his amazing career."

The 2024 Latin GRAMMYs marked 25 years of Latin music excellence with a gala evening in Miami, one of the world capitals for the Latin music industry. Replete with dazzling performances from legends and rising acts, tributes and tearful acceptance speeches, the 25th Annual Latin GRAMMYs was certainly one for the books.

In an evening with many leading lights, onelegend stood out as the night’s star: singer, songwriter and musician Juan Luis Guerra.

Guerra already had two dozen Latin GRAMMYs on his CV — as well as three GRAMMYs — but his run at this year’s Latin GRAMMYs netted several new pieces of hardware. His honors included the award Album Of The Year for Radio Güira, the inventive 2023 concept EP released with his band 4.40, and Record Of The Year for "Mambo 23," a hyper-speed merengue epic from the EP. Radio Güira also took the prize for Best Merengue/Bachata Album, while "Mambo 23" also won for Best Tropical Song.

These were Guerra's first wins in a major category since 2015, when he won Album Of The Year for Todo Tiene Su Hora at the 16th Annual Latin GRAMMY awards. Guerra has won Album Of The Year as an artist in 2007, 2010 and 2014, and in 2012 he won for his production work on Juanes' MTV Unplugged album. 

Despite his familiarity with the Latin GRAMMYs stage, Guerra appeared emotional when he walked up to the stage for the last time to accept the award for Album Of The Year from Carlos Vives. Holding his Latin GRAMMY, Guerra praised God and credited Jesus with inspiring the album.

Earlier in the night, Guerra delighted the crowd at Miami’s Kaseya Center with a performance of "Mambo 23," featuring the full band. Dressed in his iconic newsboy cap and neckerchief, he launched into the dance floor burner on a stage illuminated in flashing neon. Boiler Suit-clad dancers completed a scene that was somehow both unassuming and spectacular.

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Guerra has had a four-decade long career of innovating in Caribbean music, while bringing genres such bachata to international fame. Radio Güira continues the theme of boundary pushing. It has been praised for its experiments in combining old and new genres, from merengue to reggaeton, with dashes of jazz and blues. 

Check out the complete list of winners and nominees at the 2024 Latin GRAMMYs.

Since his debut in 2015, Declan McKenna has been a voice for his generation. The British singer/songwriter first gained attention at just 16, winning the Glastonbury Festival's Emerging Talent Competition with "Brazil," a track that cut through with its sharp critique of FIFA's actions around the 2014 World Cup. This early success signaled McKenna's commitment to addressing social issues head-on, distinguishing that he was more than just a fresh face in indie pop — he was an artist on a mission.

Fast forward nearly a decade, and McKenna remains an evolving force in music, one who consistently refuses to play it safe. But for fans, what makes Declan unique goes beyond his activism; he's an artist with a distinctive style and a personality that's as engaging as his lyrics that touch on inequality, mental health and government corruption. This drive for social commentary hasn't faded; if anything, it's deepened with time, giving his music a resonance that goes beyond catchy hooks. 

On Oct. 25, the now 25-year-old McKenna doubled down on his mission — literally — with his first two releases as a fully independent artist, "Champagne" and "That's Life." And with a slew of major tour dates ahead, including his first-ever arena and stadium performances, McKenna is gearing up for perhaps the most pivotal moment of his career yet. 

As McKenna celebrates this new chapter, learn more about his artistry, advocacy and where he's headed to next.

McKenna has consistently infused his work with sharp social commentary, starting with his debut album, What Do You Think About the Car?, where he tackled issues like political disillusionment, mental health and the struggles of youth in modern society. Songs such as "Brazil," a critique of corruption in FIFA, and "Paracetamol," which highlights LGBTQIA+ issues, showcased his ability to address complex topics with raw honesty and indie-pop energy. His second album, Zeros, built on this foundation with a more dystopian, cosmic approach, addressing existential themes about humanity's future, societal decay and technological overload.

In between What Do You Think About the Car? and Zeros, McKenna released one of his most politically charged songs to date, "British Bombs," which, as he described to NME, addresses "the hypocrisy of the British arms trade and the weapons convention in London." He donated all proceeds from the song to help those affected by those issues, telling DIY, "I think it's important to be as engaged as possible and if there is something there that can help people then that's brilliant. Ultimately that's what it's all about and if I'm not attempting that then I don't think I'm doing it right."

On his third studio album, What Happened to the Beach? — which arrived in February — McKenna turns his attention to environmental concerns, presenting a powerful narrative on humanity's impact on the planet. The album brings the urgency of climate change to the forefront, marking his latest effort as both a continuation and evolution of his mission to merge thought-provoking messages with resonant rock melodies.

In addition to making statements in his music, McKenna has been an active advocate for social and environmental causes, including climate activism, LGBTQIA+ rights, and racial justice. As a passionate supporter of groups like Extinction Rebellion, he urges his fans to join climate strikes and raise awareness through social media — further showing his dedication to inspiring action.

McKenna's music is often likened to that of legends like Bob Dylan and David Bowie — the latter of whom is a major inspiration for the singer — thanks to his insightful lyricism and genre-defying sound. Despite the praise, McKenna remains grounded, focused on creating authentic, meaningful music. 

With anthemic tracks like "The Key to Life on Earth" and "Be an Astronaut," he brings a passion and energy to his live performances that is reminiscent of the rock icons that came before him. McKenna's ability to connect with audiences through his raw, emotionally charged performances has solidified his status as one of indie rock's most compelling young artists.

Declan McKenna's career has been marked by a bold evolution in sound, fusing elements of indie rock, glam rock and classic Britpop into a unique and instantly recognizable style. His early music leaned into indie pop with socially conscious themes, but as his career progressed, he embraced a more eclectic mix, drawing inspiration from icons like David Bowie, the Beatles, and modern psych-rock influences such as Tame Impala.

McKenna's sound has grown richer and more experimental, weaving in lush, futuristic textures and embracing everything from anthemic rock to subtle folk inflections. This sonic growth reflects McKenna's expanding ambition, offering listeners a journey through genres and tones that remain cohesive yet ever-evolving.

Though McKenna only released one song between the Zeros' September 2020 arrival and his first What Happened to the Beach? single, "Sympathy," in July 2023, he celebrated his first-ever Gold record in 2022 with "Brazil," which has since been certified 2x platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) thanks to a resurgence on TikTok.

TikTok also helped McKenna reach wider audiences in September 2023, when a fan-recorded clip of him singing ABBA's "Slipping Through My Fingers" on a 2021 Instagram Live went viral. The surge in popularity reignited interest in McKenna's catalog, prompting him to officially release the cover in December 2023. The track's release propelled it to the top of TikTok's Trending Songs chart and landed McKenna on Billboard's Alternative Streaming Songs chart, marking a moment of renewed visibility for the artist.

It was a perfectly timed occurrence for McKenna, as his third studio album, What Happened to the Beach?, arrived on Feb. 9, 2024. That release marked an important moment for the singer/songwriter, too, as it was his last in his contract with Columbia Records.

Eight months later, McKenna officially made his debut as an independent artist with two singles, "Champagne" and "That's Life" under his own label, Miniature Ponies. Though the label is a joint venture with ADA, a distribution company that's owned by Warner Music Group, as McKenna told Billboard, it's a fresh start for his career. "I've always spearheaded what I'm doing and who I've worked with creatively, but there's a different layer to it now where I don't have someone looking over my shoulder," he said. "It's a freeing thing."

McKenna fittingly became a fixture on the British and Irish music festival circuit after winning Glastonbury's Emerging Talent Competition, captivating audiences with his high-energy performances and engaging stage presence. After performing at the likes of Somersault Festival, Electric Picnic, The Great Escape Festival and Field day in 2015 and 2016, McKenna had an even bigger festival year in 2017, when he took the stage at Reading and Leeds Festival, Lollapalooza and even made a return to Glastonbury (where he’s since played two more times, in 2022 and 2024).

The budding star made his Coachella debut in 2018, the same year he invited a then-unknown Chappell Roan to open for him during his U.S. tour for What Do You Think About the Car?. In a 2023 interview with David magazine, Roan recalled watching McKenna on stage, perfectly encapsulating his awe-inspiring performances: "They had glitter on their face every night, and they threw balloons in the audiences and they were jumping off amps and speakers and everyone was screaming."

As he's continued to establish himself as a must-see act, he's embarked on several headlining tours and played more festivals around the world in the years since. But his next batch of tour dates are his biggest yet: in December, he'll head to Australia for a co-headlining tour alongside Two Door Cinema Club, and on May 27, 2025, he kicks off a 28-show trek opening for Imagine Dragons' European stadium tour — his biggest venues to date. With a whirlwind tour schedule, newly gained independence, and a passionate fan base behind him, McKenna's future looks brighter than ever.

This morning, 2025 GRAMMY nominations were announced, sparking a wave of excitement for music fans everywhere!

Right after the big announcement, nominated artists lit up social media with posts of joy and gratitude. The timeline quickly filled with celebration, from first-time Best New Artist nominees Shaboozey and Teddy Swims to shoutouts from hit-makers Alissia, Green Day, and St. Vincent. 

Dive into the social media celebration posts, and catch up on the full list of nominations on the road to the 2025 GRAMMYs on Sunday, Feb. 2, 2025 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, broadcasting live on the CBS Television Network and streaming live and on demand on Paramount+. 

Best New Artist nominees Shaboozey, Doechii, Sabrina Carpenter, Teddy Swims, and RAYE all shared their heartfelt sentiment after being nominated:

Best Global Music nominee Matt B, nominated with featured performers Royal Philharmonic Orchestra for the album ALKEBULAN II, jumped for joy at hearing news of the nomination.

Brazilian artist Anitta, nominated for Best Latin Pop Album for Funk Generation, felt inspired to get up and groove upon learning of her second career GRAMMY nomination. 

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Hawaiian artist Kalani Pe'a, nominated for Best Regional Roots Music Album for Kuini was moved to unbridled tears from deep gratitude: 

Several more artists took to social to share more reactions to their nominations, including Scott Hoying, Muni Long, Troye Sivan, Cimafunk, Producer Of The Year, Non-Classical nominee Alissia and more:

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