Los Angeles, Feb 3, (V7N) – Beyoncé won her first-ever Grammy in a country category for her collaboration with Miley Cyrus as the 67th Grammy Awards kicked off with early winners before the main event.

Despite the milestone win in Best Country Duo/Group Performance, Beyoncé also faced four early losses in genre categories. With 11 nominations, all eyes are on whether she will finally secure Album or Record of the Year, awards that have eluded her despite holding the record for most Grammys won by any artist.

Kendrick Lamar emerged as an early standout, claiming three Grammys, while Charli XCX and Sabrina Carpenter also secured wins.

The Beyoncé Moment?

Beyoncé’s country album "Cowboy Carter", a genre-defying tribute to Black contributions in country music, was a critically acclaimed statement against Nashville’s traditional norms. Her early victory suggests that Grammy voters in country music circles are acknowledging her influence.

She remains a frontrunner for Best Country Album and Best Americana Performance, which will be announced in the main telecast.

Her Grammy Eve tour announcement for Cowboy Carter has further fueled speculation that this could be her year to finally claim Album of the Year.

Lamar, Beatles, and Other Early Highlights

Kendrick Lamar’s viral hit "Not Like Us" – born out of his high-profile rap feud with Drake – earned him multiple wins. He is also in the running for major awards later in the night.

In a surprise win, The Beatles won Best Rock Performance for "Now and Then", a track made possible through AI technology that isolated John Lennon’s vocals from an old demo. Sean Lennon accepted the award on behalf of the band, calling them "still the greatest of all time."

Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, who passed away last year, won Best Audiobook for his final Sunday school recordings, marking his fourth career Grammy.

Somber Grammy Week Amid Wildfire Tragedy

Despite the usual Grammy glitz, recent wildfires that devastated California have cast a shadow over the celebrations. Relief efforts have been at the forefront, with major stars like Lady Gaga, Billie Eilish, and Dr. Dre participating in fundraising events.

The MusiCares Gala honoring The Grateful Dead raised over $5 million for wildfire victims, bringing the total industry contribution to over $9 million.

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