Much of the 2025 Grammy nominations went as expected. We all knew Beyoncé, Billie Eilish and Taylor Swift would do well, and they did, each receiving nominations for Album, Recording and Song of the Year. Sabrina Carpenter and Chappell Roan were also nominated in each of the three main categories, as well as Best New Artist (sweeping what is often referred to as the four major categories) awards).
But Grammy nominations always come with snubs and surprises—and this year is no exception.
Post Malone has seven nominations, but his only Big Four nod is for his hit song with Swift, “Fortnight,” which is up for Record of the Year and Song of the Year. his own album, F-1 trillionfailed to receive a nomination for Album of the Year.
Shaboozey’s country/hip-hop hybrid “A Bar Song (Tipsy),” which topped the Billboard Hot 100 for 16 weeks, was not nominated for Record of the Year despite being nominated for Song of the Year. Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars’ funky ballad “Die With a Smile,” which peaked at No. 2 on the Hot 100, suffered the same fate. So in both cases, the snub was mitigated by a nomination in another important category.
Competition in the four major categories is fierce. This year, there are 780 nominees for Record of the Year, 707 nominees for Album of the Year, 978 nominees for Album of the Year, and 323 nominees for Best New Artist.
Here are some noteworthy snubs and surprises from the 2025 Grammy nominations.
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Surprise: Andre 3000
Instrumental albums rarely get nominated for Album of the Year. Artists rarely end a 17-year hiatus with a nomination for Album of the Year. But André 3000 overcame the difficulties, new blue sunhis first album of new material since OutKast’s 2006 album Idlewild. André 3000, one half of the duo, received two Album of the Year nominations for Stankonianominated in 2002, and Speaker boxxx/below lovewon in 2004.new blue sun Includes one of the longest-running nominations in Grammy history – “I Swear I Really Wanted to Make a ‘Rap’ Album But That’s The Way the Wind Blows Me This Time” for Best Instrumental Work Finalists.
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Snubbed: Hozier
Hozier’s impeccably produced “Too Sweet” became his first No. 1 single on the Hot 100 chart this summer. The song was thought to have a strong shot at being nominated for Record of the Year, but it was overlooked in both that category and Song of the Year, where The Irishman’s breakthrough hit “Take Me to Church” was nominated nine years ago.
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Surprise: The Beatles
The beloved band’s “Now and Then” was nominated for Record of the Year, which is surprising only because its run on the Hot 100 was so brief—just two weeks. This brings the group’s record-breaking 60th consecutive year of nominations in the category. They were nominated for the first time at the 1965 ceremony for their song “I Want to Hold Your Hand,” which shocked the world. The Beatles foursome just beat the old record holder for longest nomination in the category, Tony Bennett, who had been nominated for 59 years – starting with “I Left My Heart in San Francisco” (Winner in 1963) to “I Get a Kick Out of You” with Lady Gaga (Nominated for the 2022 Awards).
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Snubbed: Benson Boone
Boone’s “Beautiful Things” peaked at No. 2 on the Hot 100, but failed to win the awards for Record and Song of the Year and Best Pop Solo Performance. Boone’s stellar performance bears many of the hallmarks of past Grammy nominees. It moves from a soft beginning to a rocking end, echoing Billie Eilish’s “Happier Than Ever,” which was nominated for record and song of the year three years ago. Boone was nominated for Best New Artist, one of the most important awards.
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Surprise: Rey
It’s no surprise that RAYE was nominated for Best New Artist, but her win for Songwriter of the Year (Non-Classical) was. She was nominated for songs she wrote for NEIKED, a collaboration with Rita Ora, Halle, Jennifer Lopez, Beyoncé and Ayra Starr, as well as several songs she wrote for herself, either alone or with other artists (Hans Zimmer and Lucky) Collaboratively written songs.
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Left out: sexy red
Sexyy Red won Best Breakthrough Hip Hop Artist at the BET Hip Hop Awards in October and was nominated for Best New Artist at the BET Awards in June, but she Didn’t win the Best Newcomer award here. This is surprising as seven female rappers have been nominated in the category over the past four years, including winner Megan Thee Stallion, and this year, Chika, Doja Cat, Saweetie, Latto, Ice Spice and Doechii.
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Surprise: Jacob Collier
Four years ago, Collier was unexpectedly nominated for Album of the Year Jesse Volume 3. This year he was nominated again in the category for his next installment in the series, Jesse Vol. 4. This is similar to when Jon Batiste went after the surprise winner, we arewith another nominee in the category, world music radio. When Grammy voters like someone, they stick with them. Jesse Vol. 4 is the only Album of the Year nominee this year not to be nominated in the corresponding genre Album category. It was nominated for Best Pop Vocal Album, but was eliminated in a very competitive category.
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Left out: Cher
Cher’s Christmas The album was considered to have a good chance of being nominated for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album, but it did not materialize. Cher only received seven Grammy nominations (including Sonny & Cher and her solo work) during her 60-year recording career. She only won one for Best Dance Recording for “Believe.”
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Surprise: Kru Aung Bin
The Texas rock band received a surprise nomination for Best New Artist. The trio are known for their fusion of global musical influences such as classic soul, dub, rock and psychedelia. 2024 album to room Ranked at No. 38 on the Billboard 200. Better-known artists were not shortlisted.
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Snubbed: Lisa
Blackpink has yet to receive a Grammy nomination, but the band’s LISA is vying for a Best New Artist nomination. She was supposed to be the first K-pop singer to be nominated in the category, but she failed to make it.
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Surprise: Chris Brown
Brown received three nominations, his most in a year in 10 years. This brings his career total to 25 awards (although he has only won once). Brown was nominated for Best R&B Performance for the deluxe version of “Residuals.” 11:11 The award for Best African Music Performance went to “Sensational” (starring Davido and Lojay).
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Snubbed (with an asterisk): Ariana Grande
Although Grande’s album debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart and was critically acclaimed, it failed to receive nominations for any of the four major awards. eternal sunshinethe album produced two No. 1 singles on the Hot 100. Grande did receive three nominations in the pop and dance/electronic categories – Best Pop Vocal Album, Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for “The Boy is Mine” (featuring Brandy and Monica), and Best Pop Dance Recording “yes, and”? This is Grande’s sixth nomination for Best Pop Vocal Album, which ties her with Kelly Clarkson for the most nominations in the category’s history.
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Snubbed (asterisked): Jack Antonoff
Antonoff received seven nominations, including two each for Album of the Year and Song of the Year. This snub stems from a surprising fact: He wasn’t nominated for Producer of the Year, a non-canonical recognition. Antonov has won the category three of the past three years in a row and is seeking to become the first ever to win four years in a row. That’s not going to happen, but at least all the other nominations should provide some comfort.