Grammys 2025 Surprises & Snubs — from a 'Nasty' Shutout to *NSYNC's First Nod in 22 Years

Mar. 15, 2025

Tinashe, Justin Timberlake, Megan Thee Stallion.Photo:Jamie McCarthy/Getty; Jamie McCarthy/WireImage; Taylor Hill/Getty

Jamie McCarthy/Getty; Jamie McCarthy/WireImage; Taylor Hill/Getty

The nominations for the2025 Grammy Awardsare out, and music fans are already sounding off about who is and isn’t in the running for the night’s biggest trophies.

The Recording Academy announced this year’s Grammy nominations on Friday, Nov. 8 — cementing a milestone year forBeyoncéwith 11 nods, taking breakout stars likeShaboozeyandChappell Roanto new heights with a few looks of their own and making a major moment forCharli xcx,Billie Eilish,Kendrick LamarandTaylor Swift, among others.

And while some of music’s biggest stars are getting recognized for their latest releases — including some who fans may not have expected — others are entering the new year without any Grammy nominations to their names.

Here are a few of the surprises, and snubs, to come out of the 2025 Grammy nominations.

Surprise: *NSYNC Ends 22-Year Grammy Hiatus

Kevin Mazur/Getty

*NSYNC’s 2023 reunion — which saw bandmatesJC Chasez,Lance Bass,Chris Kirkpatrick,Justin TimberlakeandJoey Fatoneteam up yet again for September 2023’s “Better Place” — may just give the guys another chance to get back together for some Recording Academy festivities in early 2025. The legendary boy band’s comeback song, released as part of theTrolls Band Togethersoundtrack, earned them a Grammy nomination in the best song written for visual media category.

A “Better Place” victory would mark *NSYNC’s first-ever Grammy win as a group — a career milestone for the beloved boyband over two decades after their last studio album,Celebrity.

Surprise: André 3000 Makes His Mark with Instrumental Album

André 3000 performs on stage at the Oyafestivalen.Per Ole Hagen/Redferns

Per Ole Hagen/Redferns

André 3000is regarded as one of the most impactful MCs of all time. So when it came time for the Outkast giant’s debut solo album,New Blue Sun, some listeners may not necessarily have expected analbum composed largely of instrumental music.

The musical departure, however, certainly paid off big time for the Atlanta great, who now has earned a solo nomination in the coveted album of the year category at the 2025 Grammys — where he faces competition in the likes of Beyoncé, Billie Eilish, Swift and others. The last time the multi-instrumentalist took home the award was for Outkast’sSpeakerboxxx/The Love Belowat the 46th Annual Grammy Awards in 2004.

Surprise: The Beatles Earn Nods Both Now and Then

John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr (L-R) wave to screaming Beatles fans as the Fab Four arrive at Kennedy Airport.Getty Images

Getty Images

Despite releasing the group’s final album over 40 years ago withLet It Be,The Beatlesare once again in Grammys contention thanks to their final song “Now and Then,” released in November 2023.

The track — featuring contributions from membersPaul McCartneyandRingo Starr, as well as late membersGeorge HarrisonandJohn Lennon— earned an impressive record of the year nomination this week ahead of the 2025 Grammys. The Recording Academy’s recognition of “Now and Then” marks the group’s 24th overall Grammys nod. The group, which has won 8 career Grammys, first took home the trophy for best new artist back in 1965 at the 7th annual ceremony.

Surprise: Jimmy Carter Gets Nominated at 100

Jimmy Carter speaks in London in February 2016.Eddie Mullholland-WPA Pool/Getty

Eddie Mullholland-WPA Pool/Getty

Snub: Tinashe’s ‘Nasty’ Shutout

Tinashe at the Jean Paul Gaultier SSENSE Party on Sept. 10, 2023.Nina Westervelt/WWD via Getty

Nina Westervelt/WWD via Getty

Snub: No Love for ‘Megan’

Megan Thee Stallion attends the October 2024 premiere of “Megan Thee Stallion: In Her Words”.Amy Sussman/Getty

Amy Sussman/Getty

Megan Thee Stallion’s self-titled third studio album was also nowhere to be seen throughout Friday’s list of Grammy nominees — despite the Houston titan earning her first-ever solo Hot 100 No. 1 hit with “Hiss” and the continued success of later singles such as “Mamushi.”

Meg has previously scored Grammys in both 2021 and 2022 — with her first being her record of the year victory for her “Savage” remix with Beyoncé. The 2025 category for best rap album includes names such as Eminem, Future and Metro Boomin andDoechii— the first woman to be nominated in the category in the 2020s.

Snub: Benson Boone Earns Nod, But ‘Beautiful Things’ Did Not

Benson Boone performs at ‘The Tonight Show’ in April 2024.Todd Owyoung/NBC via Getty

Todd Owyoung/NBC via Getty

While breakout starBenson Booneearned his place in the 2025 best new artist category alongside names like Doechii, Sabrina Carpenter and Chappell Roan, his breakthrough hit “Beautiful Things” was left out of Grammys contention altogether. The song previously peaked at the No. 2 spot on the Billboard Hot 100.

Similarly, fellow newcomerTeddy Swimswas also only nominated for best new artist, despite his hit “Lose Control” peaking at No. 1 on the chart back in the spring.

Snub: Hozier’s Chart-Topping “Too Sweet”

Hozier performs at the GRAMMY Museum on Oct. 30, 2024.Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images

Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images

Hozier’s hit “Too Sweet” was also nowhere to be seen in the list of Grammy nods for 2025. The song, which also peaked at the top of the Hot 100, marked the singer’s first career No. 1 and first entry within the top 5 since the breakout success of 2013’s “Take Me to Church.” The latter marked Hozier’s only career Grammy nomination, in the song of the year category, at the 57th annual awards.

Snub: Megan Moroney’s Debut Album

Megan Moroney.Amy Sussman/Getty Images for Stagecoach

Amy Sussman/Getty Images for Stagecoach

Country newcomerMegan Moroney, despite a year consisting of her first top-10 album in her sophomore effortAm I Okay?and the success of the record’s title track, also scored zero nominations for the 2025 Grammys. Next year’s country nominees consist of breakout starShaboozey, Jelly Roll, Chris Stapleton, Beyoncé,Kacey Musgravesand more.

source: people.com