2025 Grammy Nominations: The Snubs, Surprises, and Missteps

The 2025 Grammy Award nominations, announced on Friday, brought a mix of triumphs, surprises, and notable exclusions, leaving both fans and critics debating the choices. While some major stars earned recognition, there were several glaring omissions and unexpected nods that raised eyebrows. Here’s a breakdown of the biggest snubs, surprising nominations, and missteps from this year’s list.

Snubs: Who Was Left Out?

K-pop’s Complete Exclusion
One of the most glaring snubs this year was the total exclusion of K-pop artists. Despite the genre’s massive global influence and record-breaking success, not a single K-pop act received a nomination in the major categories. Fans were hoping to see popular groups like BTS, BLACKPINK’s Lisa, Stray Kids, and SEVENTEEN recognized, especially considering their chart-topping albums and groundbreaking performances. BLACKPINK’s Lisa, for instance, had submitted her track New Woman for categories such as Record of the Year and Song of the Year, while Stray Kids aimed for nods for their album Ate and their song Chk Chk Boom. Despite their contributions to global music culture, K-pop was once again left out in the cold, with only two K-pop names mentioned briefly in the context of collaborations. Fans are calling this a familiar snub from the Grammys, which have often been accused of overlooking Asian artists despite their undeniable commercial success. BTS, while the only K-pop group to have received Grammy nominations in the past, has yet to win a Grammy, further fueling frustration among their global fanbase. The exclusion of K-pop this year, despite its booming global presence, felt like a missed opportunity for the Grammys to fully acknowledge the genre’s cultural impact.

Tyla’s Omission
Tyla, the genre-blending South African artist who made waves with her global hit Water, was also notably absent from the nominations. After winning a Grammy last year for Best African Music Performance, many expected her debut album Tyla to earn recognition this year. With over a billion streams and critical praise, the album deserved nominations in categories like Best R&B or Best Pop Performance, yet Tyla was completely shut out. This marks a missed chance for the Grammys to further highlight the rising influence of African artists in global music.

Reneé Rapp’s Ongoing Absence
Rising star Reneé Rapp, known for her debut album Snow Angel and her role in the Mean Girls film adaptation, was another notable snub. After a successful year, including viral hits and a growing cultural footprint, Rapp seemed like a lock for Best New Artist. Yet, for the second consecutive year, she was passed over in favor of newcomers like Benson Boone and Teddy Swims, who, while talented, don’t carry the same level of cultural impact.

Surprises: The Unexpected Nominees

Andre 3000’s Flute-Heavy Album
One of the biggest surprises in this year’s nominations was the inclusion of Andre 3000 for his album New Blue Sun in the Album of the Year category. The former OutKast member, known for his genre-defying work, released an 87-minute album that focuses almost entirely on the flute, a surprising and bold artistic choice. His inclusion alongside giants like Beyoncé, Billie Eilish, and Taylor Swift was unexpected but a testament to Andre’s versatility and commitment to his artistry, showing that the Grammys are willing to recognize bold, unconventional work.

Jacob Collier’s Continued Recognition
Another surprise nominee was Jacob Collier, the British singer and producer, who earned a nomination for Djesse Vol. 4. Collier’s music, known for its intricate arrangements and niche appeal, secured a spot in the Grammy nominations once again. While his fanbase is dedicated, his music’s experimental style had many questioning whether he would receive recognition in a year filled with mainstream hits. His continued success at the Grammys can likely be attributed to his connection with legendary producer Quincy Jones.

Sabrina Carpenter’s Breakthrough Year
Sabrina Carpenter, who was controversially snubbed for Best New Artist last year, made a major comeback in 2025 with multiple nominations in the “Big Four” categories. With her No. 1 album Short n’ Sweet and several hit singles, Carpenter proved herself as a formidable force in the music industry, earning her place among the top nominees this year.

Missteps: The Nominations That Didn’t Quite Land

Taylor Swift’s Fortnight in Record of the Year
While Taylor Swift’s The Tortured Poets Department is a deserving contender for Album of the Year, her song Fortnight was unexpectedly nominated for Record of the Year. Although the track was a commercial success, it lacked the cultural resonance of other songs in the category. In a year full of standout tracks, Fortnight felt less impactful compared to other choices, with songs from artists like Shaboozey or Tinashe possibly being more fitting selections.

Ariana Grande’s Exclusion from Major Categories
Despite releasing the highly praised album Eternal Sunshine, Ariana Grande shockingly missed out on major nominations, including Album of the Year and Record of the Year. Fans were especially surprised that We Can’t Be Friends (Wait for Your Love), a standout anthem from the album, didn’t earn a nomination in either Song of the Year or Record of the Year. Her exclusion felt particularly puzzling given her continued dominance in pop music.