LOS ANGELES, USA — Beyoncé made history once again Sunday, February 2, 2024, night, winning Album of the Year at the 67th Annual Grammy Awards for Cowboy Carter, a landmark victory that fills one of the few remaining gaps in her record-breaking career.
The award, considered the most prestigious of the night, marked Beyoncé’s first-ever win in the category, despite being the most decorated artist in Grammy history with 35 wins.
“I just feel very full and very honoured,” Beyoncé said upon accepting the award. “It’s been many, many years.”
Her daughter, Blue Ivy, joined her on stage as she expressed gratitude to songwriters, producers, and collaborators before dedicating the win to Linda Martell, a pioneering Black woman in country music.
“I want to dedicate this to Miss Martell, and I hope we just keep pushing forward, opening doors,” she said.
A Long-Awaited Victory
Beyoncé had been nominated for Album of the Year four previous times but had never won. Her critically acclaimed 2022 dance album, Renaissance, lost in the category last year.
Despite the success of Cowboy Carter, which received broadly positive reviews, Beyoncé faced pushback from the country music establishment.
The album was shut out of nominations at the 2024 Country Music Association (CMA) Awards, despite its commercial and critical success.
Earlier in the evening, Cowboy Carter also won Best Country Album, and Beyoncé secured a Grammy for Best Country Duo/Group Performance for II Most Wanted, her duet with Miley Cyrus.
The Inspiration Behind Cowboy Carter
Released on March 29, 2024, Cowboy Carter is the second installment of a three-part project that began with Renaissance.
The album was teased during the Super Bowl before its official announcement in March.
Beyoncé later revealed that the album was a direct response to the resistance she faced when trying to enter country music.
“This album was born out of an experience that I had years ago where I did not feel welcomed,” she wrote on Instagram at the time.
Cowboy Carter blends elements of country, folk, gospel, and blues, reclaiming genres historically shaped by Black artists.
The album features a star-studded lineup, including Dolly Parton, Post Malone, Miley Cyrus, and Shaboozey.
A Competitive Field
Beyoncé faced tough competition for Album of the Year, with nominees including Taylor Swift, Billie Eilish, Charli XCX, Chappell Roan, Sabrina Carpenter, Jacob Collier, and André 3000.
Swift, who had the chance to win the category for the second consecutive year, lost out to Beyoncé, making Cowboy Carter the first country album by a Black woman to win the top prize.
A Historic Night
Beyoncé’s three Grammy wins on Sunday further solidified her status as one of the most influential artists of all time.
The Cowboy Carter Tour, announced hours before the ceremony, is expected to be another milestone in her career.
With this victory, Beyoncé continues to redefine musical boundaries, opening doors for a new generation of artists across genres.
