Grammys 2025 Surprises & Snubs — from a 'Nasty' Shutout to *NSYNC's First Nod in 22 Years
The Recording Academy announced the latest batch of Grammy nominations on Friday, Nov. 8
The 2025 Grammy nominations were unveiled on Nov. 8
*NSYNC, Jimmy Carter, André 3000 and more earned unexpected nods
Tinashe, Megan Thee Stallion and other artists were snubbed from the list
The nominations for the 2025 Grammy Awards are 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 for Beyoncé with 11 nods, taking breakout stars like Shaboozey and Chappell Roan to new heights with a few looks of their own and making a major moment for Charli xcx, Billie Eilish, Kendrick Lamar and Taylor 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
*NSYNC's 2023 reunion — which saw bandmates JC Chasez, Lance Bass, Chris Kirkpatrick, Justin Timberlake and Joey Fatone team 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 Together soundtrack, earned them a Grammy nomination in the best song written for visual media category.
The Grammy nod marks *NSYNC's first in 22 years, following the group's 2003 nomination for "Girlfriend" in the best pop performance by a duo or group with vocal category. In total, the group has now been nominated for nine career Grammy awards.
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 is 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 an album 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's Speakerboxxx/The Love Below at the 46th Annual Grammy Awards in 2004.
Surprise: The Beatles Earn Nods Both Now and Then
Despite releasing the group's final album over 40 years ago with Let It Be, The Beatles are once again in Grammys contention thanks to their final song “Now and Then,” released in November 2023.
The track — featuring contributions from members Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, as well as late members George Harrison and John 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
Former president Jimmy Carter, already a three-time Grammy recipient, has now earned his 10th career nomination at 100 years old. The politician was recognized by the Recording Academy on Friday in the best audio book, narration, and storytelling recording category for his release Last Sundays in the Plains: A Centennial Celebration. He faces competition in Dolly Parton and others — with multiple outlets, including the BBC, reporting Carter is now the oldest Grammy nominee of all time.
Snub: Tinashe's 'Nasty' Shutout
Tinashe took over the summer with her viral smash "Nasty," but the momentum apparently wasn't enough for the Grammys, as the hit single does not appear anywhere on the list of nominations. Despite what fans are now calling an oversight by the Recording Academy, "Nasty" still earned the pop star her first entry on the Billboard Hot 100 in nearly eight years.
Snub: No Love for 'Megan'
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 and Doechii — the first woman to be nominated in the category in the 2020s.
Snub: Benson Boone Earns Nod, But 'Beautiful Things' Did Not
While breakout star Benson Boone earned 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 newcomer Teddy Swims was 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'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
Country newcomer Megan Moroney, despite a year consisting of her first top-10 album in her sophomore effort Am 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 star Shaboozey, Jelly Roll, Chris Stapleton, Beyoncé, Kacey Musgraves and more.