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

The singer’s Cowboy Carter Tour stops were revealed just after she won best country album at the Grammys

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

Beyoncé won her first album of the year for “Cowboy Carter.” (Kevin Winter)

Taylor Swift presented Beyoncé with the best country album Grammy. (Amy Sussman)

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.

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“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.”

Beyoncé honored first responders while accepting her album of the year Grammy award.

Beyoncé thanked her family after winning the best country album Grammy award. (Kevin Mazur)

Taylor Swift and Beyoncé celebrate Cowboy Carter at the Grammy awards. (Robert Gauthier)

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.”

After the ceremony, the 43-year-old shared updates about her Cowboy Carter Tour. According to her Instagram post, she’ll be heading to Los Angeles, Chicago, London, New York, Paris, Washington D.C., Atlanta, Las Vegas and Houston, her hometown, when the tour kicks off on April 28.

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