Beyoncé honors first responders in Grammys speech for album of the year win

Beyoncé honors first responders in Grammys speech for album of the year win

Beyoncé topped Post Malone, Kacey Musgraves, Chris Stapleton and Lainey Wilson to win best country album Grammy

Beyoncé won album of the year at the Grammys for “Cowboy Carter,” marking her first-ever win in the category. The star brought daughter Blue Ivy on stage as she accepted the coveted honor.

“I’d like to thank and acknowledge and praise all the firefighters for keeping us safe,” she said during her speech, referencing the first responders who fought the LA fires in January. Some of the firefighters were on-hand Sunday night to take the Grammys stage, and announce the winner for album of the year.

Beyoncé’s husband, Jay-Z, cheered alongside Taylor Swift as Beyoncé laughed at the “many, many years” it took her to win the the gramophone. The day before, Beyoncé announced she was going on tour in support of the album.

She was up against Andre 3000, Sabrina Carpenter, Charli XCX, Jacob Collier, Billie Eilish, Chappell Roan and Taylor Swift for album of the year.

Hours earlier, the “Texas Hold ‘Em” singer earned the country album Grammy award for her latest collection. Bey, as she’s known to her fans, beat out Post Malone, Kacey Musgraves, Chris Stapleton and Lainey Wilson to win the best country album award.

“I was not expecting this. I want to thank God – oh my God – that I’m able to still do what I still love after so many years,” she said after receiving the best country album award from Taylor.

“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 their passionate about. Stay persistent.”

She added, “I’d like to thank my beautiful family, all of the artists that were collaborators, thank you, this wouldn’t have been this album without you. God again, and I’m still in shock … and thank you again for this honor.”

Earlier in the evening, Beyoncé earned a Grammy for best country duo/group performance with Miley Cyrus for their song “II Most Wanted.” Miley won her first country Grammy award, earning the accolade in the genre before her dad, Billy Ray Cyrus.

Throughout the evening, Grammys host Trevor Noah reminded viewers the Recording Academy was focused on raising funds for relief efforts and honoring first responders following the LA fires.

Since launching the Los Angeles Fire Relief Effort To Support Music Professionals, the Recording Academy and MusiCares have raised and pledged over $4 million in emergency aid for music professionals impacted by the crisis, according to the Recording Academy.

At one point during the show, members of the Los Angeles County Fire Department stood on stage and received a standing ovation before presenting the winner for album of the year.

Kendrick Lamar dedicated his record of the year win for “Not Like Us,” a diss track against Drake released in May, to “the city” of Los Angeles.

WATCH: FIREFIGHTERS WALK GRAMMYS RED CARPET

Chappell Roan called out the record industry and pleaded for livable wages in addition to healthcare for musicians while accepting the Grammy for best new artist.

Before Shakira took home the best Latin pop album for “Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran,” the Colombian singer hugged her two boys, Milan and Sasha.

Will Smith honored the life of Quincy Jones during a tribute to the entertainment icon. “In his 91 years, Q touched countless lives, but I have to say, he changed mine forever,” Smith said. “You probably wouldn’t even kow who Will Smith was if it wasn’t for Quincy Jones.”

Coldplay frontman Chris Martin paid tribute to “One Direction” singer Liam Payne and Toby Keith during a moving In-Memoriam segment.