Charli XCX in gray dress standing on carpet for 2025 Grammy Awards.

2025 Grammys Glory: Asian and Pacific Islander artists shine

The 2025 Grammys were a historic night for Asian and Pacific Islander artists, with major wins for Charli XCX, Norah Jones, and more

Charli XCX at the 2025 Grammy Awards

Recording Academy/GRAMMYs

The 2025 Grammy Awards Sunday night were an evening of historic wins and long-overdue recognition. Hosted by comedian and former host of The Daily Show, Trevor Noah, the ceremony was filled with groundbreaking moments, including Beyoncé's historic win as the first Black woman to take home Best Country Album for Cowboy Carter and her long-awaited Album of the Year victory. Chappell Roan also took home the coveted Best New Artist award, cementing her place as one of pop's brightest rising stars. However, the night was also a major milestone for artists of Asian and Pacific Islander descent, who made a significant impact across multiple categories.

Charli XCX, who was nominated for seven Grammys, emerged victorious in three categories. Her song "Von Dutch" secured Best Dance Pop Recording, while her critically acclaimed album Brat took home Best Dance/Electronic Album. Additionally, the album's striking visual presentation, crafted by art directors Brent David Freaney and Imogene Strauss, won Best Recording Package. Other nominees in this category included Blossom Liu for Post Malone's F-1 Trillion, Lee Pei-Tzu for iWhoiWhoo's Pregnancy, Breakdown, And Disease, and Andrew Wong and Julie Yeh for Jug Band Millionaire by The Muddy Basin Ramblers.

One of the night’s most powerful moments came when Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars won Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for "Die With a Smile." In her acceptance speech, Gaga passionately declared, "Trans people are not invisible. Trans people deserve love, the queer community deserves to be lifted up. Music is love. Thank you." Her words were a direct response to President Donald Trump’s recent executive orders erasing trans identity from government recognition, making the moment even more poignant.

Veteran musician Norah Jones won Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album for Visions, adding another Grammy to her storied career. Meanwhile, the duo NxWorries (Anderson .Paak and Knxwledge) tied with Avery*Sunshine for Best Progressive R&B Album, with their project Why Lawd?, sharing the honor with So Glad to Know You.

SZA's "Saturn" was crowned Best R&B Song, a win shared by songwriters Rob Bisel, Carter Lang, Solána Rowe, Jared Solomon, and Canadian artist Scott Zhang (Monsune). The track was also nominated for Best R&B Performance, in which Jhene Aiko also received a nod for "Guidance." Kehlani was also nominated for Best Progressive R&B album for Crash and for Best Melodic Rap Performance for "Kehlani."

Sean Ono Lennon secured a Grammy for Best Boxed or Special Limited Edition Package for his work on Mind Games by John Lennon. In the same category, Takahiro Kurashima was also nominated for his work on Unsuk Chin by Unsuk Chin and Berliner Philharmoniker.

Native Hawaiian artist Kalani Pe’a won Best Regional Roots Music Album for Kuini.

On the Latinx side, Tony Succar and Mimy Succar, Peruvian Americans of Japanese descent, won Best Tropical Latin Album. Mimy Succar also secured a second Grammy for Bemba Colorá in the Best Global Music Performance category. Other notable Asian nominees in this category included Arooj Aftab, Jacob Collier, Anoushka Shankar, Varijashree Venugopal, Masa Takumi, Noshir Mody, and Dale Edward Chung.

Collier did snag a win for Best Arrangement, Instrumental or A Cappella for "Bridge Over Troubled Water," alongside powerhouses Tori Kelly and John Legend.  

Asian artists were also represented in classical categories. Nicholas Phan was a key figure in the Best Opera Recording win for Saariaho: Adriana Mater, which was nominated for Best Contemporary Classical Composition as well. In addition, Phan earned a nomination for Best Classical Vocal Solo Album for A Change Is Gonna Come. Yo-Yo Ma was nominated for Best Chamber Music/Small Ensemble Performance for “Beethoven for Three: Symphony No. 4 and Op. 97 ‘Archduke.’” Andy Akiho was a double nominee with Best Classical Compendium for Akiho: BeLonging and Best Classical Instrumental Solo for "Akiho: Longing."

The Best New Age, Ambient or Chant Album award went to Triveni by Wouter Kellerman, Éru Matsumoto, and Chandrika Tandon. Other nominees included Ryuichi Sakamoto, Anoushka Shankar, and Radhika Vekaria.

In the world of film and television, Olivia Rodrigo was nominated for Best Song Written for Visual Media with “Can’t Catch Me Now” from The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, co-written with Daniel Nigro. Bao Nguyen also earned a nomination for Best Music Film for his Netflix documentary The Greatest Night in Pop, while Hulu and FX's critically acclaimed Shōgun was nominated for Best Score Soundtrack for Visual Media.

Beyond the celebrations of music, the 2025 Grammy Awards leveraged its status to honor members of the Los Angeles County Fire Department, some of whom lost their homes while fighting the devastating flames last month, and raise funds for MusiCares Fire Relief. L.A. county firefighters presented the Album of the Year award, ending the evening on a positive note. Noah announced $7 million in funds were raised from viewers watching at home. 

Published on February 3, 2025

Words by Daniel Anderson

Daniel Anderson is a disabled Chinese American adoptee based in Seattle. His freelance writing specialties include K-pop, entertainment, and food. He believes that any restaurant can be a buffet, and the key to success is to take a nap each day. Follow his adventures on Instagram @danzstan.