Beyoncé’s “Cowboy Carter” was named Album of the Year at the Grammys, marking a significant milestone in her illustrious career. After accepting the award, Beyoncé expressed her gratitude, stating, “I just feel very full and very honored. It’s been many, many years.” This victory filled one of the few gaps in her record as the most decorated artist in Grammys history, as she had previously lost the coveted award four times.

Released in March to positive reviews, “Cowboy Carter” faced some resistance from the country music community and was notably excluded from the Country Music Association Awards nominations. The album announcement coincided with the launch of the Cowboy Carter tour, which Beyoncé revealed on social media just hours before her Grammy win.

During the acceptance speech, Beyoncé was joined by her daughter, Blue Ivy, who began by thanking firefighters for their efforts in combating local wildfires. Beyoncé acknowledged the contributions of songwriters, collaborators, and producers, dedicating her win to Linda Martell, a trailblazer for Black women in country music, who is featured on the album. “I want to dedicate this to Miss Martell, and I hope we just keep pushing forward, opening doors,” she said.

Explaining the album’s inspiration, Beyoncé shared that “Cowboy Carter” was developed over five years as a response to the backlash she encountered entering the country music genre. The album is the second part of a three-part project that began with the 2022 dance album “Renaissance,” which aims to reclaim musical genres pioneered by Black artists.

“Cowboy Carter” was announced during the 2024 Super Bowl, with its release on March 29 featuring collaborations with various artists, including Post Malone, Miley Cyrus, Dolly Parton, and more. Beyoncé faced tough competition for the Album of the Year award from artists like Taylor Swift, Billie Eilish, and André 3000, but ultimately secured her third win of the night, having also won best pop duo/group performance and best country album.