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Alicia Keys accepted the Dr. Dre Global Impact Award at the 2025 Grammys Sunday night (Feb. 2). It was the second award she took home that evening, as her Broadway musical Hell’s Kitchen won the Grammy for best musical theater album, bringing Keys’ overall total to 17.
Queen Latifah presented the award and hailed the musician as a “constant inspiration through her voice, her talent, but most importantly, through her heart.” As she commanded the audience to properly congratulate the “Girl on Fire” hitmaker, the iconic rapper and actress yelled, “Make some noise, this girl is on fire!”
“I just want to give big love to my brother Dr. Dre who created a sound that began a movement, and your sound told me that if you’re a creative growing up in Compton or Hell’s Kitchen, you can touch the world,” Keys said. “I always had to fight for a certain level of respect as a songwriter, a composer and especially a producer. It’s strange that we don’t think of women as producers like Quincy or Dre or Swizzy, but female producers have always powered the industry.” Keys shouted out Patrice Rushen, Missy Elliott, Linda Perry, Grimes and Solange, to which the latter’s sister Beyoncé clapped.
The “Fallin’” artist continued to celebrate the other “superpower, groundbreaking, risk-takers” she’s worked with over the years, such as Roc Nation CEO Desiree Perez and Universal Music Publishing Group CEO Jody Gerson, the latter of whom won the 2025 Industry Icon Award at Clive Davis’ Pre-Grammy Event Saturday night. “They saw in me what I didn’t see in myself, and we started She Is the Music to open the doors for other women who didn’t get the opportunities or credit they deserve. So this is for all the ladies that know the magic that they bring to the room,” she added.
She also criticized President Donald Trump’s executive orders rolling back diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. “This is not the time to shut down a diversity of voices. We’ve seen on this stage talented, hard-working people from different backgrounds with different points of view, and it changes the game. DEI is not a threat — it’s a gift,” Keys said while the audience roared with applause. “The more voices, the more powerful the sound. When destructive forces try to burn us down, we rise from the ashes like a phoenix. And as you see tonight, music is the unstoppable language that connects us all.”
It’s OK to just admit that you’re jealous of Charli XCX — she did just close out the 2025 Grammys with the final performance of the night, after all. Performing a medley of two of the most beloved tracks on her album Brat, the star kicked things off outdoors in the Crypto.com Arena driveway, popping […]
In 2024, Grammy-winner Mustard had a year that reminded the world why he was the hottest beatmaker on the planet a decade prior. Thanks, in large part, to the seismic success of Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” — the Billboard Hot 100-topping KO punch Lamar threw Drake near the end of their culture-shifting beef – Mustard notched a pair of 2025 Grammy nods: record of the year and producer of the year, non-classical.
It’s the first time Mustard has earned a nod in the latter category, a testament to both his longevity and the strength of his non-“Not Like Us” 2024 work, like the Faith of a Mustard Seed album, which hit No. 11 on R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. “Not Like Us” is, of course, the song everyone is thinking about going into Lamar’s highly anticipated Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show performance: Between Drake’s ongoing lawsuit against UMG and the Grammys, “Not Like Us” has remained at the center of the cultural conversation — even as several hits circulate from K.Dot’s Billboard 200-topping GNX LP, which also includes the No. 2 Mustard-helmed smash “TV Off” (with Lefty Gunplay).
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At the 67th Annual Grammy Awards, “Not Like Us” won all five of its nominations: best rap song, best rap performance, best music video, song of the year and record of the year.
While Mustard himself isn’t totally convinced he’ll be joining Kung Fu Kenny for the halftime show on Feb. 9, this year’s Super Bowl will still be a special one for the LA-bred producer. During the Grammy telecast (Feb. 2). Heinz and Mustard announced the first-ever Mustard x Mustard remix, an endeavor that will last the entire year and include Heinz’s first-ever co-created product. Dubbed a “secret sauce,” Mustard’s custom new condiment marks the first new national Heinz Mustard innovation in nearly ten years.
“I’ve been ‘mustard’ since I was born, my real name is Dijon,” he tells Billboard. “I’ve always wanted to work with Heinz and I only use Heinz. Ironically, I have a Heinz DJ Mustard chain that cost me a lot — I actually spent all of my money on it when I got my first check. I don’t wear it as much no more, but that was my first-ever chain. This could have happened a long time ago, but now is the perfect time. I was 340 lbs. back then, I’m on the leaner side now so I’m looking good; If I ever got to do some commercials, I look better now!”
Read what else Mustard had to say about the Super Bowl, “Not Like Us” and the best food to pair his new secret sauce with.
What felt different this time around at the Grammys compared to the previous years you’ve been nominated?
I’ve never been nominated for this many Grammys in one year. It’s definitely scary but exciting. And producer of the year, man. That’s one of the ones that means a lot. Everything is different about this year for me.
What was your initial reaction when you saw your name on that lineup for producer of the year, non-classical?
I was more worried about “Not Like Us” being nominated, so I [wasn’t even thinking about that category]. I don’t want to say I forgot about producer of the year, but I’ve never been nominated for it, so I never even thought it could happen. At this point, so many years have passed. I don’t think I was even looking for that; it was one of the first ones that popped up, and I just started going crazy because it was just so unexpected. I was like, “What the hell?!” I just couldn’t believe it.
It’s wild to hear that you were more worried about “Not Like Us.” Was there a world in your head in which that track got no love at the Grammys?
I think that I’m optimistic about anything; I don’t feel entitled about anything. I’m grateful that we got nominations, but a part of me in the back of my mind was like, “What if we don’t?” I never feel like I’m just supposed to get [recognition]. Although we have a song that is really huge, I feel like people sometimes have a problem with entitlement. I want whatever I deserve, but I don’t feel like it has to be given to me.
What track from Faith of a Mustard Seed are you most proud of from a production standpoint?
“Pray for Me.” [I’m] rapping [on there and that’s] definitely something that I didn’t see myself doing or wasn’t planning on doing. It’s very personal and vulnerable. I always go for the things that make me super nervous, because that’s the stuff that takes the most courage to do. I’m very proud of that one.
How does it feel to have a battle track nominated for record of the year?
[Chuckles]. It feels great. I always think about the song and my legacy. I always think about Jay-Z and Nas and how we still talk about that beef. People are going to talk about this forever, and I don’t know how to feel about it. I’m still in the moment. Every time I think about it, I’m like, “Damn, that’s crazy.”
What’s the most random place you’ve heard “Not Like Us” playing?
My daughter’s school. She’s nine and she had a dance recital. It was definitely the clean version, but they danced to it and she was in front. I was like, “Whoa, this is pretty crazy!”
Would you ever make the “MUSTAAAARRRD” ad-lib from “TV Off” a recurring one?
I think it’s something I would do. If I did do that, I would use it on a song with Kendrick — I don’t know that I would just start passing around that tag, it’s really special.
Can we expect an appearance from you during the halftime show?
I’m gonna go watch the game, but I’m not saying I’m performing, because I don’t think I am. I have no idea about any of that. I don’t actually talk to Kendrick about stuff like this. I recently texted him a voice note where I was singing “Euphoria” [and gassing him]. We talk about stuff like that. I’m not asking him like, “Hey man, can I perform with you?” I’m not asking no s—t like that. But if he did call me up and invite me, I would say “Hell yeah!” As of right now, you can’t expect me on the halftime show. But you can expect me in a box!
Out of all the songs that you and Kendrick have collaborated on, which one would you most like to see perform?
All of them! I mean, “Not Like Us,” man. It would just be crazy to see. If he does “TV Off,” I get the shout-out. If he does “Not Like Us,” I still get the shout-out! I like ‘em all the same. I really would love him to perform “Hey Now.” But if he doesn’t, I’ll be good with whatever he does.
After the year the West Coast had in 2024, what does it feel like to watch Kendrick lead a victory lap on the Super Bowl stage?
It feels great that Kendrick is really putting the West Coast back in the forefront. He’s giving people like me opportunities to shine; even though SZA’s not from Los Angeles, she’s adopted, she’s with us. And all the people that he put on his [GNX] album; he really cares about the West Coast. That’s the part that people don’t really see. For him to be that big, putting people like Lefty Gunplay and AzChike and Peysoh on tracks… he really gave people looks, and people don’t do that often. People don’t grab the youngest person that nobody knows.
What can you tell us about the secret sauce?
Nothing, it’s a secret! It’s one-of-a-kind. I think people are gonna love it. Whenever I end up deciding, it’s gonna be that.
What’s the best food item to pair with the limited-edition mustard?
I’m a mustard of all trades, so I like to say, “everything.” You can do some lemon pepper chicken strips maybe, or some hot wings, all flats, extra crispy. I got flavor in every aspect.
What’s your favorite type of mustard?
All of them, but I don’t really like spicy like that. I’m not a spicy person. I can do a little kick now, but I can’t do crazy burning hot. I can do Hot Ones with some ranch dressing or something to cool it off. I can’t tell you my favorite mustard, though — because if I told you that, then you probably know a little bit of my secret sauce. And I know you’re trying to figure it out!
I use them all, depending on what we’re doing. If we grilling, we going regular yellow mustard for the hot dogs and hamburgers. I’m also using yellow for the binder on the ribs now. Now if I’m getting out the fry basket, I’m using yellow mustard for the binder on the chicken!
Shortly after taking home the Grammy for record of the year, Kendrick Lamar returned to the stage at Crypto.com Arena to accept his second Big Four Grammy for song of the year on Sunday night (Feb. 2) for hit breakout hit “Not Like Us.”
The award was presented by the legend Diana Ross, who offered a somber reflection on the goings on of the world. “How can we have the balance between celebrating and being filled with sorrow? Even as we face trials and tributes with our soul, music brings us home,” she told the audience. “You are not alone, we stand with you, my heart reaches out to you.”
Appearing from backstage after taking home the prize for record of the year, Lamar immediately started beaming about being handed his second trophy of the evening by The Boss herself. “Damn, that’s Diana Ross,” he said with a laugh. “I’m starstruck.”
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After letting his crew get a few words in (including Mustard declaring “somebody get the broom out” for his partner’s apparent sweep), Lamar took a moment to pay tribute to the West Coast rap stars who helped build the lane he occupies today. “All the West Coast artists, from early on — G Malone, Problem, Bad Lucc, K-Bo, Daylyt … these are the cats that inspired me to be the MC I am today,” he said. “Schoolboy, J-Roc, Ab-Soul, this is what it’s about, man. Because at the end of the day, nothing more powerful than rap music — I don’t care what it is. We are the culture.”
With his final words, Lamar offered one final message to any up-and-coming rap artists watching. “To all the young artists, like my man Punch say, I just hope you respect the art form,” he said. “It’ll get you where you need to go.”
At Sunday night’s ceremony, Beyoncé led the pack of nominees with a whopping 11 nods, with Charli XCX, Billie Eilish, Lamar himself and Post Malone tied for the second most nominations with seven each. Meanwhile, the jam-packed show included performances from stars such as Chappell Roan, Sabrina Carpenter, Doechii, Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars, Benson Boone and plenty of others.
Check out the biggest moments from the 2025 Grammy Awards.
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 […]
Shakira celebrated her 48th birthday at the 2025 Grammys held at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Sunday (Feb. 2), where she won a Grammy award and performed live. Gloria Estefan had the honor to introduce the “global superstar … the one and only, the incomparable, Shakira,” prior to a short tribute video in which the […]
Japanese Breakfast guitarist and vocalist Michelle Zauner has offered a disappointing update to the status of her critically-acclaimed memoir’s film adaptation.
Zauner, who co-founded the Philadelphia-based band in 2013, released Crying in H Mart in 2021 following an essay of the name that name was published in The New Yorker in 2018. Inspired by her mother’s passing and the emotional experience of visiting the titular H Mart stores, Zauner had previously chronicled her encounters with loss in a 2016 essay for Glamour magazine.
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The publication of Crying in H Mart was met with an overwhelmingly-positive response, with the book ultimately spending 55 weeks on The New York Times best-seller list. In 2023, it was reported that The White Lotus’ Will Sharpe would be directing a feature film adaptation of the book, with Stacey Sher and Jason Kim producing.
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According to an official synopsis, the adaptation was described as a “coming-of age story about a half-Korean daughter who returns to small town Oregon to care for her Korean mother. Critical and smothering Chong-mi and creative and independent Michelle struggle to understand each other across a cultural fault line, only learning to see and accept one another through the formative power of music and the vibrant flavors of Korean cooking.”
In a recent interview with SSENSE, Zauner discussed the current status of the adaptation and revealed that those who had hoped for a timely arrival of the film will now be left waiting for an undetermined period of time.
“Well, it’s on pause,” Zauner explained. “There were issues with the Hollywood strikes, and the director stepped away from the project. I spent a year working on the screenplay, which was a tough but rewarding process. I still have faith it will get made someday, but it’s not happening anytime soon,” she added. “Right now, I’m focusing on other creative projects, so the film will have to wait.”
Though she didn’t address specifics of her creative projects, Zauner and her Japanese Breakfast will be releasing their fourth album, For Melancholy Brunettes (and Sad Women), on March 21. Their previous record, 2021’s Jubilee, was their first to chart on the Billboard 200, reaching a peak of No. 56.
Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars added to their trophy collection at the 2025 Grammy Awards Sunday (Feb. 2) when they won best pop duo/group performance for their Billboard Hot 100 chart-topping song “Die With a Smile.” Gaga and Mars shared the stage and rejoiced after winning over Beyonce and Post Malone, Gracie Abrams and Taylor […]
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Kendrick Lamar won Record of the Year for “Not Like Us” at the 2025 Grammy Awards. Who else but K. Dot was supposed to win?
Miley Cyrus introduced the category and the Compton rapper accepted the award and brought DJ Mustard on stage with him. Lamar kept it light, shouting his aunt who had just passed away and dedicating the award to Compton, Inglewood and the rest of Los Angeles.
But it is also worth noting that as “Not Like Us” played as K. Dot walked on stage, it landed on an emphatic “A-minor.” Drake, who is suing, will surely not like that. Will he use it as evidence? Just saying.
That makes the the Grammy haul for “Not Like Us” four five in total; Record of the Year, Best Rap Song ,Best Rap Performance and Best Music Video—AND Song of the Year. It’s not as if it needed more promotion, but this latest trophy only raises anticipation for Kendrick Lamar’s halftime show during this year’s Super Bowl next Sunday (February 16).
See reactions to Kendrick Lamar winning yet another Grammy in the comments. And we all know that another K. Dot win at anything means plenty of fresh Drake slander.
Hey, those are just the rules.
Oh wait…Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” also won “Song of the Year.” The song won a Grammy Award for every category it was nominated in. Man alive.
1. Five-peat.
2. Bruh, if Beyonce approves…
3. Accurate or nah?
9. Not literally.
Just jokes, people.
10. Allegedly.