The Weeknd made a surprise return to the Grammy stage at the 67th Grammy Awards on February 2, 2025, performing “Cry For Me” and “Timeless,” with Playboi Carti joining him on the latter. The appearance followed years of public tension over the Recording Academy’s awards process and signaled a thaw in relations—but it did not, by itself, prove that every disagreement had been settled.
What happened at the 2025 Grammys?
The Weeknd performed a medley of “Cry For Me” and “Timeless” during the ceremony. Playboi Carti appeared for “Timeless.” The Recording Academy described it as The Weeknd’s first Grammy appearance since 2017. The songs are from Hurry Up Tomorrow, released on January 31, 2025. (Recording Academy; CBS News)
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Why had The Weeknd criticized the Grammys?
The dispute intensified in 2021, when The Weeknd received no Grammy nominations for After Hours. He criticized the Academy’s transparency and fairness and subsequently stopped submitting his music for Grammy consideration. CBS characterized his criticism as calling the Academy “corrupt”; that is a description of his public criticism, not an established finding of misconduct. (CBS News; Recording Academy)
What did the Recording Academy say before his performance?
Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. spoke about changes to the organization before introducing The Weeknd. The Academy said it had added more than 3,000 women voting members, that nearly 40 percent of its electorate was people of color, and that 66 percent of its members were new since its transformation began. Those figures were reported by the Academy; the cited accounts do not independently verify them.
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Mason acknowledged the criticism, saying, “Criticism is ok. I heard him, and I felt his conviction. What we all want is an organization dedicated to the well-being of all music makers, and one that reflects the entire music community, for now, and for future generations.” He also said, “So over the past few years, we’ve listened. We’ve acted. And, we’ve changed.” (Recording Academy)
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Did the performance end the Grammys dispute?
The return, following the Academy’s public account of reforms and Mason’s acknowledgment of The Weeknd’s criticism, supports reading the moment as a reconciliation or thaw. But a performance is not a direct statement that the dispute is over. The cited accounts document his return; they do not show The Weeknd declaring that every disagreement had been resolved. Later Grammy coverage does not establish a separate, subsequent reconciliation announcement. (Recording Academy; CBS News; Recording Academy)
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