Beyoncé made history Sunday night when she won Best Country Album at the Grammys for “Cowboy Carter,” becoming the first Black singer to win the award.
It marked the 34th Grammy award of the singer’s career. She is also the most-nominated artist in the show’s history, after notching 11 more nominations this year for a total of 99.
The award was presented by Taylor Swift, who herself won the same honor in 2010 for “Fearless.”
“They say you never forget where you came from and I will never forget standing here, right on this spot, almost exactly 15 years ago accepting the Grammy Award for Best Country Album,” Swift said.
“It’s an honor that has gone to artists that I admire so much like the Chicks, Johnny Cash, Loretta Lynn, George Strait, Faith Hill, Vince Gill, Alison Krauss and Shania Twain,” she added.
After announcing the winner, a visibly shocked Beyoncé walked to the stage to a standing ovation and hugged Swift.
“Wow, I really was not expecting this,” Beyoncé said “I want to thank God that I am able to still do what I love after so many years. Oh my God.”
“I’d like to thank all the incredible country artists that accepted this album,” Beyoncé continued. “I think sometimes genre is a code word to keep us in our place as artists, and I just want to encourage people to do what they are passionate about and to stay persistent.”
“Cowboy Carter” is nominated for Album of the Year as well. “Texas Hold ‘Em,” one of the album’s hits, is nominated for Record and Song of the Year.
It was the singer’s second win of the night after she took home the Best Country Duo/Group Performance for “II Most Wanted” with Miley Cyrus.
She became the first Black woman to win a country-related Grammy since The Pointer Sisters won for Best Country Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group for the song “Fairytale” in 1974.
Originally Published:
