Beyoncé Makes History with Cowboy Carter Win at the Grammy Awards

Beyoncé, now the most nominated artist in Grammy history with a total of 99 nominations, won Album of the Year for her country album, Cowboy Carter.

This marks her first time receiving the prestigious award, making her the first Black woman to win in the 21st century. Lauryn Hill was the last Black woman to receive the honor in 1999 for The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, following previous winners Natalie Cole and Whitney Houston.

In addition to being the most nominated artist of the year, with 11 nominations, Beyoncé holds the record for the most Grammy wins of all time, with 35 awards.

She began the night with a win for Best Country Duo/Group Performance for II Most Wanted, her collaboration with Miley Cyrus. This marked her first Grammy in a country category, making her the first Black woman to win a Grammy for a country music song since The Pointer Sisters’ victory in 1975 for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal.

Beyoncé also took home the award for Best Country Album for Cowboy Carter, becoming the first Black female artist to win in the category.

Accepting her award, she expressed her gratitude:

“Wow, I really was not expecting this. I want to thank God that I’m still able to do what I love after so many years. I’d also like to thank all of the incredible country artists who embraced this album. We worked so hard on it.”