‘We love L.A.’: How the 2025 Grammys addressed the Los Angeles wildfires
Trevor Noah and dozens of music’s greatest artists toned down the self-celebration and focused the 2025 Grammys on helping Los Angeles rise from ashes.
“As usual we’re coming to you live from Los Angeles,” said Noah, opening the show on Sunday. “But what’s unusual are our circumstances this evening. Just a few weeks ago we weren’t sure that this show would even happen. You don’t need me to tell you this, but this city has just been through one of the largest natural disasters in American history. Tens of thousands of people have lost their homes, entire neighborhoods have been erased, schools, local business, and entire communities have burned to the ground. Thankfully, due to the heroic efforts of firefighters, the fires have now been contained, and despite all the devastation, the spirit of the city has emerged. Neighbors who had never spoken before are helping each other. Community centers are overflowing with donations. Families are welcoming strangers into their homes so they too have a place to sleep. It’s often said that in the darkest times the best of humanity shines through. The people of Los Angeles, right now, are a perfect example of that.”
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Noah then introduced the Altadena-based band Dawes, who despite losing their own homes in the Eaton Fire have been raising money to help others in need. They performed a rendition of “I Love L.A.” with lyrics rewritten to reflect the occasion and accompaniment from Grammy winners St. Vincent, Brad Paisley, Brittany Howard, John Legend, and Sheryl Crow.
Throughout the night, a QR code was available on screen directing viewers to donate; the Recording Academy was also taking donations at musicares.org/firerelief. Noah also encouraged all the music execs and CEOs in the Crypto.com Arena to give all they can during his more comedic monologue that followed. By the end of the night the show raised more then $7 million from the audience at home.
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Midway through the broadcast came an emotional clip package showcasing some of the victims of the fire who lost not only homes, but decades of memories. Their tearful testimonies were followed by a special performance by Bruno Mars and Lady Gaga, who were nominated for their duet “Die With a Smile” but instead performed the classic “California Dreamin'” in celebration of the City of Angels.
Then, during an all-star tribute to the late Quincy Jones, Stevie Wonder performed “We Are the World” (which Jones originally produced in 1985) backed by a chorus of students from two schools that burned down in the fires, all wearing Heart L.A. shirts.
As a fitting close to a night that balanced tributes and music, Noah brought both together by introducing members of the Los Angeles County Fire Department to present the final award, Album of the Year. “I am confident we will recover and rebuild together. Because we are L.A. strong!” said Los Angeles Fire Chief Anthony Marrone to a standing ovation, before presenting the prize to Beyoncé for Cowboy Carter, her first win in the category on her fifth try.
The 67th Grammys took place just three days after the all-star FireAid benefit, which established a template for artists joining together to promote healing through music. The epic show, taking place over six hours in two L.A. venues and live-streamed on dozens of sites, featured such performers as Billie Eilish, Gracie Abrams, Green Day, and Lady Gaga. It raised $60 million for wildfire relief efforts from ticket sales and sponsorship deals before the show even started, then additional funds through donations during the broadcast.
After the Palisades and Eaton fires broke out in January, resulting in 29 deaths and more than 15,000 structures destroyed, the Recording Academy canceled several Grammy-related events and parties, but decided to to go on with the main show. It was a delicate balance for show producers Ben Winston, Raj Kapoor, and Jesse Collins, as well as host Noah: How best to celebrate the year’s top musical accomplishments while also honoring the lives and homes lost during the disaster?
Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. and Board of Trustees chair Tammy Hurt said that they wanted the show to “carry a renewed sense of purpose: raising additional funds to support wildfire relief efforts and honoring the bravery and dedication of first responders who risk their lives to protect ours.”
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