Beyoncé hasn't won Grammys album of the year. Who was the last Black woman to hold the prize?

Taylor Swift made history at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards, becoming the first artist to win album of the year four times. But the win also revealed another stat: It’s been 25 years since a Black woman took home music’s biggest prize.

Swift beat out seven other nominees at Sunday’s awards, including SZA and Janelle Monáe, two Black women. And while Beyoncé has the most Grammys wins of any artist (32), the album of the year prize has eluded her, despite being nominated in the category four times.

“I don't want to embarrass this young lady, but she has more Grammys than everyone and never won album of the year. So even by your own metrics, that doesn't work." Jay Z, Beyoncé's husband, said while accepting the special global impact award.

"Think about that. The most Grammys, never won album of the year," he continued.

Who was the last Black woman to win album of the year?

Singer and rapper Lauryn Hill won album of the year in 1999 for her debut solo album, “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill,” making her the last Black woman to win the award in the past 25 years.

The album was released in 1998 and remains Hill’s only solo album. Hill is also known for being part of the hip-hop trio, the Fugees.

How many Black women have been nominated for album of the year since 1999?

Sixteen Black women artists have been nominated for album of the year since Lauryn Hill’s win 25 years ago. Beyonce, Janelle Monae, H.E.R., and Lizzo have all received multiple nominations in the category within that time.

• TLC (2000)
• India.Arie (2002)
• Missy Elliott (2004)
• Alicia Keys (2005)
• Mariah Carey (2006)
• Beyoncé (2010, 2015, 2017, 2023)
• Rihanna (2012)
• Brittany Howard with group Alabama Shakes (2016)
• Janelle Monáe (2019, 2024)
• H.E.R. (2019, 2020, 2022)
• Cardi B (2019)
• Lizzo (2020, 2023)
• Jhene Aiko (2021)
• Doja Cat (2022)
• Mary J. Blige (2023)
• SZA (2024)

How many Black women have won album of the year?

Only three Black women have won album of the year since the category was presented at the first Grammy Awards back in 1959.

• Natalie Cole (1992)
• Whitney Houston (1994)
• Lauryn Hill (1999)

Eleven total Black artists have won album of the year including Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Ray Charles and 2022’s winner Jon Batiste.

Devarrick Turner is a trending news reporter. Email [email protected]. On X, formerly known as Twitter @dturner1208. 

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