- The 67th Grammy nominations include Indian and Indian-origin artistes
- Ricky Kej has been nominated for Best New Age Album for Break of Dawn
- Grammy Awards will be held on February 2, 2025, in Los Angeles
A Night of Unexpected Twists
The 2025 Grammy nominations have once again stirred the music world with surprises, snubs, and fresh talent. With Beyoncé leading with a record-breaking 11 nominations for her album Cowboy Carter, other industry giants like Taylor Swift and Billie Eilish also made their mark. However, the nominations left fans reeling with the complete absence of K-pop acts, despite the genre’s global dominance. Adding to the excitement, Indian-American composer Ricky Kej earned yet another nomination, highlighting the growing global diversity at music’s biggest awards night. This year’s Grammy line-up is a vivid reminder of both the academy’s inclinations and the unpredictable nature of music recognition.
K-pop’s Surprising Absence
The Grammy nominations brought a significant shock to K-pop fans who expected to see big names like BTS, BLACKPINK’s Lisa, Stray Kids, and Seventeen featured prominently. Despite their global achievements, none of the K-pop acts made it to the major Grammy categories. Several artists had submitted work for consideration, including BLACKPINK’s Lisa with her single New Woman and Stray Kids with their album Ate and hit track Chk Chk Boom.
While no direct K-pop nominations were made, there were minor nods: Aespa collaborated on Jacob Collier’s Djesse Vol. 4, nominated for Album of the Year, and Stray Kids contributed to the Deadpool & Wolverine soundtrack, which was nominated for Best Compilation Soundtrack. Nevertheless, fans expressed frustration on social media, criticizing the Grammy committee’s perceived resistance to fully embracing the genre.
Ricky Kej and Other Indian Nominees Shine
Indian-American composer Ricky Kej’s Grammy nomination in the Best New Age, Ambient, or Chant Album category for Break of Dawn has captured the attention of his global fanbase. This would be Kej’s third Grammy if he wins, adding to his 2015 win for Winds of Samsara and his 2022 win for Divine Tides. Kej is joined by fellow Indian-origin artists Anoushka Shankar, Varijashree Venugopal, Radhika Vekaria, and Chandrika Tandon, who each received nominations in different categories, reflecting the Grammy Awards’ growing inclusivity and recognition of diverse talent from around the world.
The Biggest Surprises: Andre 3000’s Flute Album and Jacob Collier’s Nomination
One of the year’s most unexpected nominations was Andre 3000’s New Blue Sun, a daring 87-minute album featuring a prominent use of flute, which earned a spot in the Album of the Year category. Known for his ground-breaking work with OutKast, Andre’s choice to venture into instrumental music was both unconventional and widely applauded. His nomination highlights a willingness to push genre boundaries and speaks to the academy’s openness to recognizing creative risks.
British artist Jacob Collier also secured a Grammy nod for Djesse Vol. 4, a record that blends an eclectic range of genres. His work has continued to garner critical acclaim, and his nomination affirms his place as a Grammy favorite. Collier’s close association with legendary producer Quincy Jones may have contributed to his Grammy appeal, though his genre-blending work speaks for itself.
Breakthrough Moment: Sabrina Carpenter’s Major Grammy Nod
After missing out on the Best New Artist category last year, Sabrina Carpenter has made a strong comeback with multiple nominations across the “Big Four” categories. With her No. 1 album short n’ Sweet and chart-topping singles, Carpenter’s success is a testament to her rising influence in the music industry. Her journey from near-obscurity in Grammy circles to multi-nominee underscores the industry’s acknowledgment of her talent and hard work.
The Snubs: Taylor Swift’s “Fortnight” and Ariana Grande’s “Eternal Sunshine”
The Grammy nominations, as always, had their share of questionable inclusions and omissions. Taylor Swift’s track Fortnight from her album The Tortured Poets Department received a Record of the Year nomination, which some critics felt was unearned given the song’s limited impact on the pop scene. While Swift’s album was widely celebrated, this specific track’s inclusion raised eyebrows as other deserving artists, such as Shaboozey and Tinashe, were left out.
In another notable snub, Ariana Grande’s Eternal Sunshine missed out on major category nominations, despite being both a critical and commercial success. Fans were especially disappointed by the omission of her anthem We Can’t Be Friends (Wait for Your Love) from Song of the Year and Record of the Year. Grande’s exclusion left fans questioning the Grammy process and wondering if her work was overlooked in favour of more familiar names.
A Year of Mixed Reactions and Growing Diversity
The 2025 Grammy nominations have brought a mix of excitement, shock, and frustration. While global stars like Beyoncé continue to dominate, K-pop’s complete exclusion has sparked questions about the academy’s openness to international genres. At the same time, nominations for artists like Ricky Kej and Andre 3000 signal a willingness to broaden the scope and embrace global sounds and unique artistic choices. With Indian-origin artists making strong showings and rising stars like Sabrina Carpenter breaking through, the Grammys this year reflect a more inclusive yet still selective landscape.
As the world awaits the final Grammy outcomes, the ongoing debate over inclusivity, genre diversity, and artistic recognition reminds us of the complexities surrounding these prestigious awards. The 2025 Grammys will undoubtedly be a memorable event, showcasing a unique blend of celebrated icons, underrepresented voices, and ground-breaking newcomers.
(With inputs from agencies)
