Music News

As the 2025 Grammys began to draw to a close on Feb. 2 in Los Angeles, Coldplay lead singer Chris Martin teamed with guitarist Grace Bowers to honor the lives and careers of the musicians, artists and executives who passed away over the past year.

The segment opened with footage of late One Direction band member and solo artist Liam Payne, who died in October 2024. From there, backed by a string section with Martin on piano and Bowers on guitar, they performed an elegant, passionate rendition of Coldplay’s “All My Love.”

Alongside Payne’s tribute, the names and photographs of other artists, songwriters, performers and industry executives scrolled across the screens behind Martin and Bowers, as the Grammys honored Dickey Betts, The Oak Ridge Boys member Joe Bonsall, Fatman Scoop, Sandra Crouch, Will Jennings, Kinky Friedman, DJ Clark Kent, Sam Moore, Tito Jackson, Marianne Faithfull, Warner Chappell Nashville CEO/president Ben Vaughn, Ella Jenkins, Wayne Osmond, J.D. Souther, ASCAP Chief Creative Officer John Titta, Garth Hudson of The Band, Country Music Hall of Famer Toby Keith and more.

The Martin-Bowers collaboration wasn’t the only moment during the 2025 Grammys to honor the work of a late music legend. Earlier in the evening, the life and career of the late music mogul Quincy Jones was honored by artists in a range of genres. Jazz pianist Herbie Hancock performed “Killer Joe,” and was accompanied by vocalist-performer Cynthia Erivo on “Fly Me to the Moon.” Country singer-songwriter Lainey Wilson and Jacob Collier teamed for a rendition of “Let the Good Times Roll,” while Stevie Wonder and Hancock teamed up for “We Are the World.” The Jones tribute concluded with Janelle Monáe offering a stellar rendition of Michael Jackson’s “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough.”

Benson Boone, Doechii, Teddy Swims, Shaboozey and Raye showed off the sheer star power of this year’s best new artist nominees during a rousing performance medley at the 2025 Grammy Awards Sunday evening (Feb. 2).

Boone kicked things off by singing his hit “Beautiful Things” from the floor of Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, and eventually made his way over to Heidi Klum and Nikki Glaser’s table before the two women ripped off his black tuxedo and unveiled his shimmering baby blue jumpsuit. He dashed off to the stage and walked on top of the grand piano before doing a backflip off of it and belting the chorus.

Doechii took over next by performing “Catfish” from her critically acclaimed mixtape Alligator Bites Never Heal, which won the Grammy for best rap album earlier in the evening. Her backup dancers, who were wearing identical Thom Browne outfits, formed a single file line and revealed their fearless leader before they ripped her suit off and left Doechii in her bra, underwear, socks and loafers. DJ Miss Milan told Doechii, “Why don’t you tell the Grammys what’s been going on?” before the TDE MC dove into a jazzy version of “Denial Is a River,” which is her first Billboard Hot 100-charting hit, reaching No. 56 last week (chart ending Feb. 1). The dynamic duo brought the song’s theatrical conversation to life while strutting on a small moving runway before Milan and all of Doechii’s dancers fled the stage and let the bright marquee lights illuminate one of rap’s brightest new stars.

Teddy Swims slowed things down with a stirring rendition of his Hot 100 No. 1 “Lose Control,” which he performed in the middle of the floor with only the help of a pianist and guitarist. Shaboozey later walked on stage with a single spotlight behind him as he sung a little bit of his latest single, “Good News,” before giving the people what they wanted: his 19-week Hot 100 No. 1 smash “A Bar Song (Tipsy).” Cowgirls in matching purple leather outfits with white fans and cowboys in matching black outfits pranced around the purple paisley print screen.

And last, but not least, Raye dazzled in a black sequined gown before delivering “Oscar Winning Tears” at not the titular awards show. Her jaw-dropping vocal chops during the song’s finale called for a standing ovation.

The best new artist award went to Chappell Roan, who during her acceptance speech, called on music labels to provide better healthcare and financial support for their musicians.