The 2025 Emmy Awards, announced on July 15, 2025, include nominations for various categories, but specific categories like Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics, Outstanding Music Composition, and Outstanding Music Supervision are most relevant for singers and songwriters. Below is a detailed list of singers and songwriters who received nominations for the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards, based on available information from sources covering the 2025 nominations.
Singers and Songwriters Nominated for the 2025 Emmy Awards
1. Beyoncé
- Nomination: Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics (Creative Arts Emmy)
- Details: Beyoncé received a nomination for her work on the song “Blackbiird,” featured in her visual album Cowboy Carter. This marks her first Emmy nomination, recognized for her contribution as a songwriter and performer. The nomination was highlighted in a Variety post on X, noting her alongside other notable figures like Emmanuel Lubezki and Nicholas Britell.
- Context: The song is part of a project that showcases Beyoncé’s versatility, blending country and pop elements, and her nomination reflects her influence in music for television or streaming specials.
2. Nicholas Britell
- Nomination: Outstanding Music Composition for a Series or Special (Creative Arts Emmy)
- Details: Nicholas Britell, a renowned composer and songwriter, was nominated for his work on a yet-to-be-specified series or special in the 2025 Emmys. His nomination was mentioned alongside Beyoncé’s in a Variety post on X, indicating his contribution to music composition, likely for a dramatic score or original song.
- Context: Britell is known for his work on projects like Succession and Moonlight, and his nomination underscores his continued prominence in crafting emotive music for television.
3. Stephen Graham
- Nomination: Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series (for Adolescence)
- Details: While primarily recognized as an actor and producer, Stephen Graham is also credited as a writer for the Netflix limited series Adolescence, which is poised for multiple nominations, including acting and potentially music-related categories. The series is noted for its psychological depth, and Graham’s creative involvement may extend to musical elements, though specific songwriting credits are not detailed in the sources.
- Context: Adolescence is a major contender with five expected acting nominations, and Graham’s multifaceted role could include contributions to the series’ soundtrack or thematic music.
Potential Music-Related Nominees (Speculative Based on Trends)
While the sources do not explicitly list other singers or songwriters for 2025, the following individuals or projects are worth noting due to their relevance to music-related categories, based on historical Emmy trends and the 2025 eligibility window (June 1, 2024, to May 31, 2025):
- Carrie Underwood:
- Context: Although not explicitly listed in the 2025 nominations, Underwood’s history of Emmy nominations for Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics (e.g., for The Sound of Music Live! in 2014) suggests she could be a contender if she contributed to a television special or series in the eligibility period. No specific project is confirmed for 2025, but her name often appears in music-related Emmy discussions.
- Jake Smith (The White Buffalo):
- Context: Jake Smith, known as The White Buffalo, is mentioned in a 2025 article as a singer-songwriter with previous Emmy nominations for his rustic, guitar-led music. While not confirmed for 2025, his past nominations (likely for shows like Sons of Anarchy or Justified) make him a potential candidate if he contributed to a series or special in the eligibility period.
- Other Artists:
- The Creative Arts Emmy categories often recognize artists like Taylor Swift, Ed Sheeran, or John Legend, who have won in the past for songs in series like Ted Lasso or specials like Jesus Christ Superstar Live. No specific 2025 nominations for these artists are confirmed, but their history suggests they could be considered if they had eligible projects.
Notes on Music-Related Categories
- Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics: This category honors specific songs written for TV shows, specials, or limited series. Beyoncé’s nomination for “Blackbiird” is a clear example, but other songwriters may be recognized for contributions to series like The Penguin, The White Lotus, or Adolescence, which are major contenders.
- Outstanding Music Composition: Composers like Nicholas Britell are typically nominated here for scoring series or specials. Shows like Severance (27 nominations) or The Studio (23 nominations) may include music composition nods, though specific names beyond Britell are not listed.
- Outstanding Music Supervision: This category recognizes music supervisors who curate soundtracks, often involving popular artists. Series like The Bear or Nobody Wants This, which rely heavily on music to set their tone, could feature nominations for supervisors working with singers and songwriters, but no individual names are specified.
Limitations and Uncertainties
- Lack of Specific Names: The sources primarily focus on major categories (e.g., drama, comedy, limited series) and do not provide a complete list of Creative Arts Emmy nominees, where most music-related nominations occur. Only Beyoncé and Nicholas Britell are explicitly mentioned for 2025.
- Speculative Inclusions: Artists like Jake Smith or Carrie Underwood are included based on their historical Emmy involvement and relevance to the 2025 eligibility window, but no direct evidence confirms their nominations for this year.
- Series with Musical Elements: Shows like The Studio, The White Lotus, and Adolescence are likely to have music-related nominations due to their high nomination counts (23, 23, and 13, respectively), but specific songwriters or singers involved are not detailed beyond Stephen Graham’s broader creative role.
Conclusion
As of July 15, 2025, the confirmed singers and songwriters nominated for the 2025 Emmy Awards are Beyoncé (for “Blackbiird” in Cowboy Carter) and Nicholas Britell (for music composition in a series or special). Stephen Graham, while primarily an actor, may have music-related contributions to Adolescence. Other potential nominees like Jake Smith (The White Buffalo) or artists with past Emmy wins (e.g., Carrie Underwood, Taylor Swift) are speculative based on their history but not confirmed for 2025. For a complete list of music-related nominees, check the official Emmy website at Emmys.com/nominations or follow updates from Variety and The Hollywood Reporter, which cover Creative Arts categories in detail.
