Fans accused Kacey Musgraves of having an ‘unimpressed’ reaction to Beyonce’s shock win for Best Country album at the Grammys on Sunday.
Beyonce, 43, was presented with the award for her work on her latest album Cowboy Carter by Taylor Swift.
She beat out Musgraves for her album Deeper Well, as well as country superstar Chris Stapleton for his album Higher, Lainey Wilson for Whirlwind, and Post Malone for F-1 Trillion.
After Swift announced her as the winner, the camera panned to Musgraves, who was pictured clapping with a lukewarm smile on her face.
‘Is Kacey Musgraves mad that Beyoncé won? She sure looks it,’ one fan wrote on X, along with a laughing meme.
‘Kacey Musgraves is MAAAAAAD,’ another added.
Fans accused Kacey Musgraves, 36, of having an ‘unimpressed’ reaction to Beyonce’s shock win for Best Country album at the Grammys on Sunday
Beyonce, 43, was presented with the award for her work on her latest album Cowboy Carter by Taylor Swift
‘Kacey Musgraves is pissed that Beyonce beat her for best country album, look at her face expression #GRAMMYs.’
‘KACEY MUSGRAVES LOOKED MAD ASF.’
Read More Grammy Awards 2025 winners: Beyonce FINALLY has her shining country moment presented by Taylor Swift 
‘WHY KACEY MUSGRAVES GOT ON A STANK LOOK?’ someone else questioned.
‘The facial expressions of Lainey Wilson and Kacey Musgraves when Beyoncé won Country Album of The Year.’
Another fan pleaded: ‘Kacey Musgraves…FIX your FACE.’
One commentator wrote: ‘Kacey Musgraves rolling her eyes at Beyonce winning country album of the year award.’
‘Kacey Musgraves face says it all but Beyoncé got the last laugh when Cowboy Carter won,’ another added.
‘Kacey Musgraves was not too happy with Beyoncé’s win.’
‘Yess Beyoncé! Why does Kacey Musgraves look salty??’ someone else asked.
Beyonce looked shocked after she was announced as the winner
She beat out Musgraves for her album Deeper Well, as well as country superstar Chris Stapleton for his album Higher, Lainey Wilson for Whirlwind, and Post Malone for F-1 Trillion
After Swift announced her as the winner, the camera panned to Musgraves, who was pictured clapping with a lukewarm smile on her face
‘Is Kacey Musgraves mad that Beyoncé won? She sure looks it,’ one fan wrote on X, along with a laughing meme
‘Kacey Musgraves is MAAAAAAD,’ another added
A number of fans called out Musgraves for looking ‘mad’
However, others took issue with Beyonce’s win, claiming her shocked reaction after her name was called was proof that she knew Kacey ‘deserved’ to win instead
‘Kacey Musgraves was SO PISSED about Beyonce winning Best Country Album.’
However, others took issue with Beyonce’s win, claiming her shocked reaction after her name was called was proof that she knew Kacey ‘deserved’ to win instead.
‘That is not Country and a slap in the face to Chris Stapleton, Lainey Wilson and Kacey Musgraves,’ another person wrote.
Beyonce was famously snubbed by the Country Music ᴀssociation Awards back in September so no doubt to be bestowed this honor came as a complete shock.
She looked in disbelief as Taylor announced her as the winner and reiterated that in her speech.
The singer said: ‘Oh, my god. Wow. I really was not expecting this. Wow. I want to thank god. Oh, my god. That I am able to still do what I love after so many years. Oh, my god. I would like to thank all of the incredible country artists that accepted this album. We work so hard on it.
‘I think sometimes, genre is a cold word to keep us in our place as artists, and I just want to encourage people to do what they’re pᴀssionate about. And to stay persistent. Wow. I’d like to thank my beautiful family. All of the artists that were collaborators. Thank you. This ones have been this album without you. I’d like to thank god, again, and my fans. I still am in shock, so thank you so much for this honor.’
Earlier in the evening, Beyonce – who is the most successful artist in Grammy history – and Miley Cyrus had won the Grammy Award for Best Country Duo/Group Performance for the Cowboy Carter track ‘II Most Wanted’.
Beyonce was joined by husband Jay-Z, 55, and their daughter Blue Ivy, 13.
Beyonce dominated the list of Grammy Award contenders with 11 nods
Beyonce was famously snubbed by the Country Music ᴀssociation Awards back in September so no doubt to be bestowed this honor came as a complete shock
She was joined by husband Jay-Z, 55, and their daughter Blue Ivy, 13
Beyonce’s Cowboy Carter was viewed by experts and fans as a reclamation and homage to an overlooked legacy of Black Americans within country music and culture
Earlier in the night Kacey kicked the red carpet off in style, sporting a dazzling gold fringed maxi skirt
She looked incredible in the striking Ralph Lauren look, pairing the statement skirt with a classic white tank top
Beyonce dominated the list of Grammy Award contenders with 11 nods.
Behind Beyonce, Billie Eilish, Charli XCX, Kendrick Lamar and Post Malone tie with seven nominations each.
The Grammys were hosted by Trevor Noah for the fifth consecutive year.
The show raised funds to support fire relief efforts after the devastation caused by the LA blazes which began on January 7 in Pacific Palisades.
Earlier in the night Kacey kicked the red carpet off in style, sporting a dazzling gold fringed maxi skirt.
She looked incredible in the striking Ralph Lauren look, pairing the statement skirt with a classic white tank top.
Meanwhile Beyonce chose to skip the red carpet, and appeared inside the awards show later in the night.
Grammy Awards 2025 winners
Album of the Year
André 3000 – New Blue Sun
Beyoncé – Cowboy Carter – WINNER
Sabrina Carpenter – Short n’ Sweet
Charli xcx – Brat
Jacob Collier – Djesse Vol 4
Billie Eilish – Hit Me Hard and Soft
Chappell Roan – The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess
Taylor Swift – The Tortured Poets Department
Record of the Year
The Beatles – Now and Then
Beyoncé – Texas Hold ’Em
Sabrina Carpenter – Espresso
Charli xcx – 360
Billie Eilish – Birds of a Feather
Kendrick Lamar – Not Like Us – WINNER
Chappell Roan – Good Luck, Babe!
Taylor Swift featuring Post Malone – Fortnight
Song of the Year
Beyoncé – Texas Hold ’Em
Billie Eilish – Birds of a Feather
Chappell Roan – Good Luck, Babe!
Kendrick Lamar – Not Like Us – WINNER
Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars – Die With a Smile
Sabrina Carpenter – Please Please Please
Shaboozey – A Bar Song (Tipsy)
Taylor Swift Featuring Post Malone – Fortnight
Best New Artist
Benson Boone
Doechii
Chappell Roan – WINNER
Khruangbin
Raye
Sabrina Carpenter
Shaboozey
Teddy Swims
Best Pop Solo Performance
Beyoncé – Bodyguard
Billie Eilish – Birds of a Feather
Chappell Roan – Good Luck, Babe!
Charli XCX – Apple
Sabrina Carpenter – Espresso – WINNER
Best Pop Duo/Group Performance
Ariana Grande, Brandy & Monica – The Boy Is Mine – Remix
Beyoncé Featuring Post Malone – Levii’s Jeans
Charli XCX & Billie Eilish – Guess Featuring Billie Eilish
Gracie Abrams Featuring Taylor Swift – Us.
Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars – Die With a Smile – WINNER
Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album
Cyrille Aimée – À Fleur De Peau
Norah Jones – Visions – WINNER
Lake Street Dive – Good Together
Aaron Lazar – Impossible Dream
Gregory Porter – Christmas Wish
Best Pop Vocal Album
Sabrina Carpenter – Short n’ Sweet – WINNER
Billie Eilish – Hit Me Hard and Soft
Ariana Grande – Eternal Sunshine
Chappell Roan – The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess
Taylor Swift – The Tortured Poets Department
Best Dance/Electronic Recording
Disclosure – She’s Gone, Dance On
Four Tet – Loved
Fred Again.. and Baby Keem – Leavemealone
Justice and Tame Impala – Neverender – WINNER
Kaytranada – Witchy
Best Pop Dance Recording
Ariana Grande – Yes, And?
Billie Eilish – L’Amour de Ma Vie [Over Now Extended Edit]
Charli XCX – Von Dutch – WINNER
Madison Beer – Make You Mine
Troye Sivan – Got Me Started
Best Dance/Electronic Music Album
Charli xcx – Brat – WINNER
Four Tet – Three
Justice – Hyperdrama
Kaytranada – Timeless
Zedd – Telos
Best Contemporary Instrumental Album
Taylor Eigsti – Plot Armor
Béla Fleck – Rhapsody In Blue
Bill Frisell featuring Alexander Hanson, Brussels Philharmonic, & Thomas Morgan – Orchestras (Live)
Mark Guiliana – MARK
Julian Lage – Speak to Me
Best Rock Performance
The Beatles – Now and Then – WINNER
The Black Keys – Beautiful People (Stay High)
Green Day – The American Dream Is Killing Me
Idles – Gift Horse
Pearl Jam – Dark Matter
St Vincent – Broken Ma
Best Metal Performance
Gojira, Marina Viotti and Victor Le Masne – Mea Culpa (Ah! Ça ira!) – WINNER
Judas Priest – Crown of Horns
Knocked Loose featuring Poppy – Suffocate
Metallica – Screaming Suicide
Spiritbox – Cellar Door
Best Rock Song
The Black Keys – Beautiful People (Stay High)
St Vincent – Broken Man – WINNER
Pearl Jam – Dark Matter
Green Day – Dilemma
Idles – Gift Horse
Best Rock Album
The Black Crowes – Happiness Bastards
Fontaines D.C. – Romance
Green Day – Saviors
Idles – Tangk
Jack White – No Name
Pearl Jam – Dark Matter
The Rolling Stones – Hackney Diamonds – WINNER
Best Alternative Music Performance
Alvvays – Belinda Says
Cage the Elephant – Neon Pill
Fontaines D.C. – Starburster
Kim Gordon – Bye Bye
Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds – Song of the Lake
St. Vincent – Flea – WINNER
Best Alternative Music Album
Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds – Wild God
Clairo – Charm
Kim Gordon – The Collective
Brittany Howard – What Now
St Vincent – All Born Screaming – WINNER
Best R&B Performance
Chris Brown – Residuals
Coco Jones – Here We Go (Uh Oh)
Jhené Aiko – Guidance
Muni Long – Made for Me (Live on BET) – WINNER
SZA – Saturn
Best Traditional R&B Performance
Marsha Ambrosius – Wet
Kenyon Dixon – Can I Have This Groove
Lalah Hathaway featuring Michael McDonald – No Lie
Muni Long – Make Me Forget
Lucky Daye – That’s You – WINNER
Best R&B Song
Kehlani – After Hours
Tems – Burning
Coco Jones – Here We Go (Uh Oh)
Muni Long – Ruined Me
SZA – Saturn – WINNER
Best Progressive R&B Album
Avery*Sunshine – So Glad to Know You – WINNER (TIE)
Durand Bernarr – En Route
Childish Gambino – Bando Stone and the New World
Kehlani – Crash
NxWorries (Anderson .Paak and Knxwledge) – Why Lawd? – WINNER (TIE)
Best R&B Album
Chris Brown – 11:11 (Deluxe) – WINNER
Lalah Hathaway – Vantablack
Lucky Daye – Algorithm
Muni Long – Revenge
Usher – Coming Home
Best Rap Performance
Cardi B – Enough (Miami)
Common and Pete Rock featuring Posdnuos – When the Sun Shines Again
Doechii – Nissan Altima
Eminem – Houdini
Future and Metro Boomin featuring Kendrick Lamar – Like That
GloRilla – Yeah Glo!
Kendrick Lamar – Not Like Us – WINNER
Best Melodic Rap Performance
Beyoncé, Linda Martell & Shaboozey – Spaghettii
Future, Metro Boomin & The Weeknd – We Still Don’t Trust You
Jordan Adetunji Featuring Kehlani – Kehlani (Remix)
Latto – Big Mama
Rapsody Featuring Erykah Badu – 3:AM – WINNER
Best Rap Song
Rapsody featuring Hit-Boy – Asteroids
¥$ [Kanye West and Ty Dolla Sign] featuring Rich the Kid and Playboi Carti – Carnival
Future and Metro Boomin featuring Kendrick Lamar – Like That
Kendrick Lamar – Not Like Us- WINNER
GloRilla – Yeah Glo!
Best Rap Album
J. Cole – Might Delete Later
Common and Pete Rock – The Auditorium, Vol 1
Doechii – Alligator Bites Never Heal – WINNER
Eminem – The Death of Slim Shady (Coup De Grâce)
Future and Metro Boomin – We Don’t Trust You
Best Country Solo Performance
Beyoncé – 16 Carriages
Chris Stapleton – It Takes a Woman – WINNER
Jelly Roll – I Am Not Okay
Kacey Musgraves – The Architect
Shaboozey – A Bar Song (Tipsy)
Best Country Duo/Group Performance
Kelsea Ballerini with Noah Kahan – Cowboys Cry Too
Beyoncé featuring Miley Cyrus – II Most Wanted – WINNER
Brothers Osborne – Break Mine
Dan + Shay – Bigger Houses
Post Malone featuring Morgan Wallen – I Had Some Help
Best Country Song
Kacey Musgraves – The Architect – WINNER
Shaboozey – A Bar Song (Tipsy)
Jelly Roll – I Am Not Okay
Post Malone featuring Morgan Wallen – I Had Some Help
Beyoncé – Texas Hold ’Em
Best Country Album
Beyoncé – Cowboy Carter – WINNER
Chris Stapleton – Higher
Kacey Musgraves – Deeper Well
Lainey Wilson – Whirlwind
Post Malone – F-1 Trillion
Best New Age, Ambient, or Chant Album
Ricky Kej – Break of Dawn
Wouter Kellerman, Éru Matsumoto & Chandrika Tandon – Triveni
Ryuichi Sakomoto – Opus
Anoushka Shankar – Chapter II: How Dark It Is Before Dawn
Radhika Vekaria – Warriors of Light
Best Jazz Performance
The Baylor Project – Walk With Me, Lord (SOUND | SPIRIT)
Lakecia Benjamin featuring Randy Brecker, Jeff “Tain” Watts, & John Scofield – Phoenix Reimagined (Live)
Chick Corea & Béla Fleck – Juno
Samara Joy featuring Sullivan Fortner – Twinkle Twinkle Little Me
Dan Pugach Big Band featuring Nicole Zuraitis & Troy Roberts – Little Fears
Best Jazz Vocal Album
Journey in Black – Christie Dashiell
Wildflowers Vol. 1 – Kurt Elling & Sullivan Fortner
A Joyful Holiday – Samara Joy – WINNER
Milton + Esperanza – Milton Nascimento & Esperanza Spalding
My Ideal – Catherine Russell & Sean Mason
Best Jazz Instrumental Album
Owl Song – Ambrose Akinmusire featuring Bill Frisell & Herlin Riley
Beyond This Place – Kenny Barron feat. Kiyoshi Kitagawa, Johnathan Blake, Immanuel Wilkins & Steve Nelson
Phoenix Reimagined (Live) – Lakecia Benjamin
Remembrance – Chick Corea & Béla Fleck
Solo Game – Sullivan Fortner
Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album
John Beasley & Frankfurt Radio Big Band – Returning To Forever
The Clayton–Hamilton Jazz Orchestra – And So It Goes
Orrin Evans & the Captain Black Big Band – Walk A Mile In My Shoe
Dan Pugach Big Band – Bianca Reimagined: Music For Paws And Persistence
Miguel Zenón – Golden City
Best Latin Jazz Album
Michel Camilo & Tomaтιтo – Spain Forever Again
Zaccai Curtis – Cubop Lives!
Hamilton de Holanda & Gonzalo Rubalcaba – COLLAB
Eliane Elias – Time And Again
Horacio “El Negro” Hernández, John Beasley, & José Gola – El Trio: Live in Italy
Chucho Valdés & Royal Quartet – Cuba and Beyond
Donald Vega featuring Lewis Nash, John Paтιтucci, & Luisito Quintero – As I Travel
Best Alternative Jazz Album
Arooj Aftab – Night Reign
André 3000 – New Blue Sun
Robert Glasper – Code Derivation
Keyon Harrold – Foreverland
Meshell Ndegeocello – No More Water: The Gospel of James Baldwin – WINNER
Best Gospel Performance/Song
Doe – Holy Hands
Melvin Crispell III – Yesterday
Ricky Dillard – Hold On (Live)
Tasha Cobbs Leonard, Erica Campbell & Israel Houghton Featuring Jonathan McReynolds & Jekalyn Carr – One Hallelujah
Yolanda Adams – Church Doors
Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song
Bethel Music, CeCe Winans & Jenn Johnson – Holy Forever (Live)
Elevation Worship ft. Brandon Lake, Chandler Moore and Chris Brown – Praise
Honor & Glory ft. Disciple – Firm Foundation (He Won’t)
JWLKRS Worship & Maverick City Music ft. Chandler Moore – In the Name of Jesus
Maverick City Music, Naomi Raine & Chandler Moore ft. Tasha Cobbs Leonard – In The Room
CeCe Winans – That’s My King – WINNER
Best Gospel Album
Melvin Crispell III – Covered Vol. 1
Ricky Dillard – Choirmaster II (Live)
Kirk Franklin – Father’s Day
Karen Clark Sheard – Still Karen
CeCe Winans – More Than This
Best Contemporary Christian Music Album
DOE – Heart of a Human
Elevation Worship – When Wind Meets Fire
Forrest Frank – Child of God
Brandon Lake – Coat of Many Colors
Maverick City Music, Naomi Raine & Chandler Moore – The Maverick Way Complete
Best Roots Gospel Album
The Blackwood Brothers Quartet – Tribute to the King
Blind Boys of Alabama – Echoes of the South
Becky Isaacs Bowman – Songs That Pulled Me Through the Tough Times
Brian Free & ᴀssurance – Meet Me at the Cross
Gaither Vocal Band – Shine: The Darker the Night the Brighter the Light
Best Latin Pop Album
Anitta – Funk Generation
Kali Uchis – Orquídeas
Kany García – García
Luis Fonsi – El Viaje
Shakira – Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran – WINNER
Best Música Urbana Album
Bad Bunny – Nadie Sabe lo Que Va a Pasar Mañana
J Balvin – Rayo
Feid – Ferxxocalipsis
Residente – Las Letras Ya No Importan – WINNER
Young Miko – Att
Best Latin Rock or Alternative Album
El David Aguilar – Compita del Destino
Cimafunk – Pa’Tu Cuerpa
Mon Laferte – Autopoiética
Nathy Peluso – Grasa
Rawayana – ¿Quién Trae las Cornetas? – WINNER
Best música Mexicana album (including Tejano)
Carín León – Boca Chueca, Vol. 1
Chiquis – Diamantes
Jessi Uribe – De Lejitos
Peso Pluma – Éxodo
Best Tropical Latin Album
Marc Anthony – Muevense
Sheila E. – Bailar
Juan Luis Guerra – Radio Güira
Tony Succar & Mimy Succar – Alma, Corazón y Salsa (Live at Gran Teatro Nacional) – WINNER
Kiki Valera – Vacilón Santiaguero
Best Music Video
ASAP Rocky – Tailor Swif
Charli XCX – 360
Eminem – Houdini
Kendrick Lamar – Not Like Us – WINNER
Taylor Swift featuring Post Malone – Fortnight
Best Music Film
Jon Batiste – American Symphony – WINNER
June Carter Cash – June
Run DMC – Kings from Queens
Steven van Zandt – Stevie Van Zandt: Disciple
(Various Artists) – The Greatest Night in Pop
Best Contemporary Classical Composition
Andrea Cᴀssarubios – Seven for Solo Cello
Valerie Coleman – Revelry
David Lang – Composition as Explanation
Gabriela Ortiz – Revolución Diamantina
Kaaija Saariaho – Adriana Mater
Best American Roots Song
Mark Knopfler – Ahead Of The Game
Sam Beam – All In Good Time (Iron & Wine featuring Fiona Apple)
Aoife O’Donovan – for All My Friends” (Aoife O’Donovan)
Sierra Ferrell & Melody Walker – American Dreaming (Sierra Ferrell)
John Hahn & Will Kimbrough – Blame It On Eve (Shemekia Copeland)
Best American Roots Performance
Shemekia Copeland – Blame It On Eve
The Fabulous Thunderbirds Featuring Bonnie Raitt, Keb’ Mo’, Taj Mahal & Mick Fleetwood – Nothing In Rambling
Sierra Ferrell – Lighthouse
Rhiannon Giddens – The Ballad Of Sally Anne
Best Americana Performance
Beyoncé – Ya Ya
Madison Cunningham – Subтιтles
Madi Diaz featuring Kacey Musgraves – Don’t Do Me Good
Sierra Ferrell – American Dreaming – WINNER
Sarah Jarosz – Runaway Train
Gillian Welch & David Rawlings – Empty Trainload of Sky
Best Bluegrᴀss Album
Bronwyn Keith-Hynes – I Built a World
The Del McCoury Band – Songs of Love and Life
Sister Sadie – No Fear
Billy Strings – Live Vol. 1
Tony Trischka – Earl Jam
Dan Tyminski – Live From The Ryman
Best Traditional Blues Album
Cedric Burnside – Hill Country Love
The Fabulous Thunderbirds – Struck Down
Sue Foley – One Guitar Woman
Little Feat – Sam’s Place
The Taj Mahal Sєxtet – Swingin’ Live at the Church in Tulsa – WINNER
Best Contemporary Blues Album
Joe Bonamᴀssa – Blues Deluxe Vol. 2
Shemekia Copeland – Blame It On Eve
Steve Cropper & The Midnight Hour – Friendlytown
Ruthie Foster – Mileage
Antonio Vergara – The Fury
Best Folk Album
American Patchwork Quartet – American Patchwork Quartet
Madi Diaz – Weird Faith
Adrianne Lenker – Bright Future
Aoife O’Donovan – All My Friends
Gillian Welch & David Rawlings – Woodland
Best Regional Roots Music Album
Sean Ardoin and Kreole Rock And Soul – 25 Back to My Roots
Big Chief Monk Boudreaux & The Golden Eagles featuring J’Wan Boudreaux – Live at the 2024 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival
New Breed Brᴀss Band featuring Trombone Shorty – Live at the 2024 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival
Kalani Pe’a – Kuini – WINNER
The Rumble featuring Chief Joseph Boudreaux Jr. – Stories from The Battlefield
Best Reggae Album
Collie Buddz – Take It Easy
Vybz Kartel – Party With Me
Shenseea – Never Gets Late Here
Various Artists – Bob Marley: One Love – Music Inspired By The Film (Deluxe)
The Wailers – Evolution
Best Global Music Performance
Arooj Aftab – Raat Ki Rani
Jacob Collier featuring Anoushka Shankar & Varijashree Venugopal – A Rock Somewhere
Rocky Dawuni – Rise
Sheila E. featuring Gloria Estefan & Mimy Succar – Bemba Colorá – WINNER
Angélique Kidjo featuring Soweto Gospel Choir – Sunlight to My Soul
Masa Takumi featuring Ron Korb, Noshir Mody & Dale Edward Chung – Kashira
Best African Music Performance
Yemi Alade – Tomorrow
Asake & Wizkid – MMS
Chris Brown featuring Davido & Lojay – Sensational
Burna Boy – Higher
Tems – Love Me JeJe – WINNER
Best Global Music Album
Matt B ft. Royal Philharmonic Orchestra – Alkebulan II – WINNER
Ciro Hurtado – Paisajes
Rema – Heis
Antonio Rey – Historias de un Flamenco
Tems – Born in the Wild
Best Children’s Music Album
Lucky Diaz & The Family Jam Band – Brillo, Brillo!
Lucy Kalantari & The Jazz Cats – Creciendo
John Legend – My Favourite Dream
Rock For Children – Solid Rock Revival
Divinity Roxx & Divi Roxx Kids – World Wide Playdate
Best Audio Book, Narration, and Storytelling Recording
All You Need Is Love: The Beatles In Their Own Words – Guy Oldfield
…And Your ᴀss Will Follow – George Clinton
Behind the Seams: My Life in Rhinestones – Dolly Parton
Last Sunday in Plains: A Centennial Celebration – Jimmy Carter – WINNER
My Name Is Barbra – Barbra Streisand
Best Spoken Word Poetry Album
Civil Writes: The South Got Something to Say – Queen Sheba
Concrete & Whiskey Act II Part 1: A Bourbon 30 Series – Omari Hardwick
Good M.U.S.I.C. Universe Sonic Sinema Episode 1: In the Beginning Was the Word – Malik Yusef
The Heart, The Mind, The Soul – Tank and the Bangas
The Seven Number Ones – Mad Skillz
Best Comedy Album
Armageddon – Ricky Gervais
The Dreamer – Dave Chappelle
The Prisoner – Jim Gaffigan
Someday You’ll Die – Nikki Glaser
Where Was I – Trevor Noah
Best Musical Theater Album
Hell’s Kitchen
Merrily We Roll Along
The Notebook
The Outsiders
Suffs
The Wiz
Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media
The Color Purple
ᴅᴇᴀᴅpool & Wolverine
Maestro
Saltburn
Twisters: The Album
Best Score Soundtrack for Visual Media (Includes Film and Television)
American Fiction – Laura Karpman
Challengers – Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross
The Color Purple – Kris Bowers
Dune: Part Two – Hans Zimmer
Shōgun – Nick Chuba, Atticus Ross and Leopold Ross
Best Score Soundtrack for Video Games and Other Interactive Media
Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora – Pinar Toprak
God of War Ragnarök: Valhalla – Bear McCreary
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 – John Paesano
Star Wars Outlaws – Wilbert Roget II
Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord – Winifred Phillips
Best Song Written for Visual Media
Ain’t No Love in Oklahoma (from Twisters: The Album)
Better Place (from Trolls Band Together)
Can’t Catch Me Now (from The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes)
It Never Went Away (from American Symphony) – WINNER
Love Will Survive (from The Tattooist of Auschwitz)
Best Classical Solo Vocal Album
Karen Slack (soloist); Michelle Cann (pianist) – Beyond the Years – Unpublished Songs of Florence Price
Nicholas Phan (soloist); Palaver Strings (ensemble) – A Change Is Gonna Come
Fotina Naumenko (soloist); Marika Bournaki (pianist) – Newman: Bespoke Songs
Will Liverman (soloist); Jonathan King (pianist) – Show Me The Way
Joyce DiDonato (soloist); Maxim Emelyanychev (conductor of Il Pomo d’Oro) – Wagner: Wesendonck Lieder
Best Classical Compendium
Andy Akiho & Imani Winds (artists); Andy Akiho, Sean Dixon & Mark Dover (producers) – BeLonging
Curtis Stewart (artist); James Blachley (conductor), Blanton Alspaugh (producer) – American Counterpoints
JoAnn Falletta (conductor); Bernd Gottinger (producer) – Foss: Symphony No. 1; Renaissance Concerto; Three American Pieces; Ode
Sangeeta Kaur, Omar Najmi, Hilá Plitmann, Robert Thies & Danaë Xanthe Vlᴀsse (artists); Michael Shapiro (conductor); Jeff Atmajian, Emilio D. Miler, Hai Nguyen, Robert Thies, Danaë Xanthe Vlᴀsse & Kitt Wakeley (producers) – Mythologies II
Gustavo Didamel (conductor); Dmitriy Lipay (producer) – Ortiz: Revolución Diamantin
Best Contemporary Classical Composition
Curtis Stewart (artist); James Blachley (conductor), Blanton Alspaugh (producer) – American Counterpoints
JoAnn Falletta (conductor); Bernd Gottinger (producer) – Foss: Symphony No. 1; Renaissance Concerto; Three American Pieces; Ode
Sangeeta Kaur, Omar Najmi, Hilá Plitmann, Robert Thies & Danaë Xanthe Vlᴀsse (artists); Michael Shapiro (conductor); Jeff Atmajian, Emilio D. Miler, Hai Nguyen, Robert Thies, Danaë Xanthe Vlᴀsse & Kitt Wakeley (producers) – Mythologies II
Gustavo Didamel (conductor); Dmitriy Lipay (producer) – Ortiz: Revolución Diamantina
Best Arrangement, Instrumental or A Cappella
Michael League – Baby Elephant Walk – Encore (Snarky Puppy)
Jacob Collier, Tori Kelly & John Legend – Bridge Over Troubled Water (Jacob Collier ft. John Legend & Tori Kelly) – WINNER
Béla Fleck & Ferde Grofé – Rhapsody in Blue(grᴀss) (Béla Fleck ft. Michael Cleveland, Sierra Hull, Justin Moses, Mark Schatz & Bryan Sutton)
Erin Bentlage, Alexander Lloyd Blake, Scott Hoying, A.J. Sealy & Amanda Taylor – Rose Without the Thorns (Scott Hoying ft. säje & Tonality)
Erin Bentlage, Sara Gazarek, Johnnaye Kendrick & Amanda Taylor – Silent Night
Best Arrangement, Instruments and Vocals
Erin Bentlage, Sara Gazarek, Johnnye Kendrick & Amanda Taylor – Alma (säje ft. Regina Carter)
Matt Jones – Always Come Back (John Legend)
Willow, Chris Greatti, Zach Tenorio – B i g f e e l i n g s (Willow)
Charlie Rosen & Jake Silverman – Last Surprise (The 8-bit Big Band ft. Jonah Nilsson & ʙuттon Masher)
Cody Fry – The sound of silence (Cody Fry ft. Sleeping At Last
Best Recording Package
Jonny Black & Giorgia Sage – The Avett Brothers (The Avett Brothers)
Sarah Dodds & Shauna Dodds – Baker H๏τel (William Clark Green)
Brent David Freaney, Charli XCX & Imogene Strauss – Brat (Charli xcx)
Archie Lee Coates IV, Austin Post (Post Malone), Bobby Greenleaf, Jeffrey Franklin, Blossom Liu, Kylie McMahon & Ana Cecilia Thompson Motta – F-1 Trillion (Post Malone)
Kate Bush & Albert McIntosh – Hounds of Love – The Baskerville Edition (Kate Bush)
Andrew Wong & Julie Yeh – Jug Band Millionaire (The Muddy Basin Ramblers)
Lee Pei-Tzu – Pregnancy, Breakdown and Disease (WhoiWhoo)
Best Boxed or Special Limited Edition Package
Nick Azinas & Mike Hicks – Half Living Things (Alpha Wolf)
Kate Bush & Albert McIntosh – Hounds of Love – The Boxes of Lost at Sea (Kate Bush)
Doug Cunningham & Jason Noto – In Utero (Nirvana)
Simon Hilton & Sean Ono Lennon – Mind Games (John Lennon)
Takahiro Kurashima & Marek Polewski – Unsuk Chin (Unsuk Chin & Berliner Philharmoniker)
Rebeka Arce & Farbod Kokaki – We Blame Chicago (90 Day Men)
Best Album Notes
Tim Brooks – After Midnight
Lauren de Graf – The Carnegie Hall Concert
Ricky Riccardi – Centennial
Dominic Fyfe – John Culshaw – The Art of the Producer – The Early Years 1948-55
Josh Kun – SONtrack Original de la Pelicula Al Son de Beno
Best Historical Album
Centennial – Meagan Hennessy & Richard Martin
Prince – Diamonds and Pearls: Super Deluxe Edition
Paul Robeson – Voice of Freedom: His Complete Columbia, RCA, HMV and Victor Recordings
Pepito y Paquito – Pepe De Lucía & Javier Doria,
The Sound of Music – Super Deluxe Edition
Songwriter of the Year, Non-Classical
Jessi Alexander
Amy Allen – WINNER
Édgar Barrera
Jessie Jo Dillon
Raye
Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical
Algorithm (Lucky Daye)
Cyan Blue (Charlotte Day Wilson)
Deeper Well (Kacey Musgraves)
Empathogen (Willow)
I/O (Peter Gabriel)
Short n’ Sweet (Sabrina Carpenter)
Producer of the Year, Non-Classical
Alissia
Dernst “D’Mile” Emile II
Ian Fitchuk
Mustard
Dan Nigro – WINNER
Best Remixed Recording
Kaytranada – Alter Ego (Kaytranada Remix) (Doechii featuring JT)
David Guetta – A Bar Song (Tipsy) (remix) (Shaboozey & David Guetta)
Mark Ronson x FnZ – Espresso (Working Late remix) (Sabrina Carpenter)
Alexx Antaeus, Footsteps & MeMyish – Jah Sees Them (Amapiano remix)” (Julian Marley & Antaeus)
A. G. Cook – Von Dutch (remix) (Charli XCX & A. G. Cook featuring Addison Rae)
Best Immersive Audio Album
Roxy Music – Avalon
Ray Charles – Genius Loves Company
Trondheim Symphony Orchestra – Borders
Peter Gabriel – i/o (In-Side Mix)
Ensemble 96 & Current Saxophone Quartet -Pax
Best Instrumental Composition
Shelton G. Berg – At Last
Christopher Zuar – Communion
André 3000, Surya Botofasina, Nate Mercereau & Carlos Niño – I Swear, I Really Wanted To Make A “Rap” Album But This Is Literally The Way The Wind Blew Me This Time
Chick Corea – Remembrance
Pascal Le Boeuf – Strands
Best Engineered Album, Classical
Alexander Lipay & Dmitriy Lipay – Adams: Girl of the Golden West
Silas Brown, Doron Schachter & Michael Schwartz – Andres: The Blind Banister
Mark Donahue & John Newton – Bruckner: Symphony No. 7; Bates: Ressurexit
Daniel Shores – Clear Voices in the Dark
Alexander Lipay & Dmitriy Lipay – Ortiz: Revolución Diamantina
Producer of the Year, Classical
Erica Brenner
Morten Lindberg
Dmitriy Lipay
Elaine Martone
Dirk Sobotka
Best Orchestral Performance
Marin Alsop (cd); ORF Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra – Adams: City Noir, Fearful Symmetries & Lola Montez Does the Spider Dance
JoAnn Falletta (cd); Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra – Kodály: Háry János Suite; Summer Evening & Symphony in C Major
Gustavo Dudamel (cd); Los Angeles Philharmonic – Ortiz: Revolución Diamantina
Susanna Mälkki (cd); Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra – Sibelius: Karelia Suite; Rakastava & Lemminkäinen
Esa-Pekka Salonen (cd); San Francisco Symphony – Stravinsky: The Firebird
Best Opera Recording
Adams: Girls of the Golden West -Los Angeles Philharmonic; Los Angeles Master Chorale
Catán: Florencia en el Amazonas – The Metropolitan Opera Orchestra; The Metropolitan Opera Chorus
Moravec: The Shining -Kansas City Symphony; Lyric Opera of Kansas City Chorus
Puts: The Hours – The Metropolitan Opera Orchestra; The Metropolitan Opera Chorus
Saariaho: Adriana Mater -San Francisco Symphony; San Francisco Symphony Chorus; Timo Kurkilangas
Best Choral Performance
Skylark Vocal Ensemble (ensemble) – Clear Voices in the Dark
True Concord Voices (ensemble) – A Dream So Bright – Choral Music of Jake Runestad
Apollo’s Fire (ensemble); Apollo’s Singers (ensemble) – Handel: Israel in Egypt
The Crossing (ensemble) – Ochre
Novus NY, Artefact Ensemble, The Choir of Trinity Wall Street, Downtown Voices & Trinity Youth Chorus (ensembles) – Sheehan: Akathist
Best Chamber Music/Small Ensemble Performance
JACK Quartet – J.L. Adams: Waves & Particles
Yo-Yo Ma, Leonidas Kavakos & Emanuel Ax – Beethoven for Three: Symphony No. 4 and Op. 97, ‘Archduke’
Beth Willer, Christopher Cerrone & Lorelei Ensemble – Cerrone: Beaufort Scales
Miró Quartet – Home
Caroline Shaw & So Percussion – Rectangles and Circumstance
Best Classical Instrumental Solo
Andy Akiho – Akiho: Longing
Vikingur Ólafsson – Bach: Goldberg Variations
Seth Parker Woods (soloist); Christopher Rountree (conductor of Wild Up) – Eastman: The Holy Presence of Joan d’Arc
Mak Grgić – Entourer
Curtis Stewart (soloist); James Blachly (conductor of the Experiential Orchestra) – Perry: Concerto for Violin & Orchestra
Best Classical Compendium
Andy Akiho & Imani Winds – BeLonging
Curtis Stewart – American Counterpoints
JoAnn Falletta – Foss: Symphony No. 1; Renaissance Concerto; Three American Pieces; Ode
Sangeeta Kaur, Omar Najmi, Hilá Plitmann, Robert Thies & Danaë Xanthe Vlᴀsse – Mythologies II
Gustavo Didamel – Ortiz: Revolución Diamantina
