The 67th Annual GRAMMY Awards® 2025 presentation was all about guts, glory, glam and giving. Under the direst of circumstances — that being the Los Angeles Wildfires – The Recording Academy® managed to mobilize the music community for its biggest night by repurposing the Awards Show to spotlight the devastating impact of the recent wildfires and rally the industry for ongoing relief efforts. They gathered some of the music industry’s brightest stars who gladly assisted in these efforts.

GRAMMYS 2025: The Guts, Glory, Glam & Giving
The devastating Los Angeles Wildfires

THE GUTS

To carry on with the GRAMMYS 2025 Awards ceremonies or not? That was the million dollar question. After many discussions with the powers that be in Los Angeles whether it was safe to continue plans, the decision was made by The Recording Academy to stay the course but with a repurposed focus. GRAMMY Week with all its pre-GRAMMY parties and events would not go on as planned. Instead most festivities chose to redirect those event funds to aid the wildfire relief effort. Only four events stayed the course: MusiCares® Person of the Year, The Special Merit/Lifetime Achievement Awards, The Clive Davis’s Pre-Grammy Gala and The GRAMMY Awards Telecast.

The Guts
Firefighters from the Los Angeles County Fire Department

THE GLORY / THE TELECAST

“This is a tremendous honor and privilege to be in the company of such talented music industry professionals” – Chief Anthony C. Marrone, Fire Chief of the Los Angeles County Fire Department

The telecast celebrated the resilience of Angelenos and paid tribute to the first responders who risked their lives to protect the LA area. Special guests included students from fire-damaged schools and firefighters from the Los Angeles County Fire Department who were honored throughout the evening for their bravery and service.

The evening kicked-off with a moving and emotional rendition of “I Love LA” by the music duo Dawes. The most socially sparked® (inspiring) moment of the evening culminated with firefighters from the County of Los Angeles Fire Department presenting the coveted Album of the Year Award to Beyonce, receiving a standing ovation.

There were also touching tributes showcasing the love and resilience of LA from mega superstars that included a performance of “California Dreaming” by Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars and a heartwarming tribute to the late music legend Quincy Jones. That tribute featured luminary Stevie Wonder, who was joined by a student choir from Pasadena Waldorf School and Palisades High School – both severely damaged by the wildfires – performing the iconic anthem “We Are The World.” Additional performers included Cynthia Enrivo, Herbie Hancock, Jacob Collier, Janelle Monae and Lainey Wilson.

Throughout the telecast, music superstars highlighted the rebuilding efforts of local business impacted by the fires and commercials showcased some of these local establishments, Many of the shows star performers and presenters were impacted by the fires, some losing their homes, some their musical instruments yet they chose to demonstrate the resilience of themselves and Angelenos.

For a complete list of the 2025 GRAMMY winners visit: grammy.com

The GRAMMY AWARDS: THE GLAM
Chappell Roan (left), Bianca Censori (right)

One element of the awards show that did not change was the glamour. The traditional GRAMMY Red Carpet was in full swing with stars displaying everything from haute couture to creative designs, to barely anything at all. The latter refers to Kanye West’s wife, Bianca Censori  whose shocking and distasteful nude bodice attire caused the organizers to escort them out.

THE GIVING

Throughout the ceremony, Host Trevor Noah, along with several presenters, urged audiences to support the MusiCares®  Fire Relief – a collaborative fundraiser launched by the Recording Academy® and MusiCares, in partnership with Direct Relief, the California Community Foundation and the Pasadena Community Foundation – to help expand wildfire relief efforts across the broader Los Angeles community.

To contribute to the MusiCares Fire Relief, visit grammy.com/firerelief. If you or someone you know needs help, visit musicares.org/get-help.

Socially Sparked

Now that the 67th Annual GRAMMY AWARDS are officially in the book, I can honestly say that sense of community, resilience and love shine through when up against the wall in potential despair.  The music community came together for music’s biggest night with a renewed sense of purpose and kept the awards show ‘real.’ There is a great deal to be inspired by, uplifted by and hopeful for. We all love LA and after GRAMMY Week and last night’s presentation, there is no doubt that LA will be back stronger than ever! Abbe is forever Socially Sparked!