Gojira Triumphs at the 2025 Grammy Awards: A Historic Victory for French Metal

The 2025 Grammy Awards were an exceptional edition for France. During the prestigious ceremony held on Sunday, February 2, in Los Angeles, two French acts shone: the electro duo Justice and the metal band Gojira. The latter won the award for Best Metal Performance for their unforgettable show during the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

An Emotional Moment on Stage

Upon receiving their award, the members of Gojira did not hide their pride and excitement. “We are extremely excited to receive this award. It’s a great day for us, obviously. We want to dedicate this Grammy to all the bands pushing boundaries,” said the band’s lead singer, Joe Duplantier.

And boundaries, Gojira has certainly pushed. On July 26, the band delivered a bold and memorable performance on the banks of the Seine, blending metal with classical music. Their striking interpretation of Mea Culpa (Ah! Ça ira!) in a duet with opera singer Marina Viotti captivated an international audience. She, along with Victor Le Masne, musical director of the Paris Olympic Games, was present in Los Angeles to celebrate this success.

Recognition from Institutions

France’s Minister of Culture, Rachida Dati, quickly congratulated the band on social media: “Congratulations to Gojira, who proudly represent France at the Grammy Awards! They made a sensation during the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympics with a memorable performance of Mea Culpa (Ah! Ça ira!). Bravo for this distinction that brings French metal to the world stage.”

This victory is particularly sweet for Gojira, who had been nominated three times before but never won. “This time, the global impact of the Olympic Games and the fact that our performance was watched by a billion viewers made the difference,” explained drummer Mario Duplantier to Le Parisien. He also praised the boldness of Thomas Jolly, artistic director of the ceremonies, and Victor Le Masne for including such a powerful and controversial genre in an event of this scale.

A First for Women in Metal

Marina Viotti also savored this historic moment. “Apparently, I’m the first woman to receive this award,” she told Le Parisien. “I’m living a dream. I’m so proud, and I hope this will bring more visibility to women in metal.”

French Electro Also in the Spotlight

In addition to Gojira, France was brilliantly represented by Justice. The electro duo of Gaspard Augé and Xavier de Rosnay won the Grammy for Best Dance/Electronic Recording for their track Neverender, in collaboration with Tame Impala. “The Grammys are like the Oscars; they’re mythical to us,” they told Le Parisien. “It goes beyond the music industry—we’ve been following them since we were kids.”

Due to their tour schedule, they were unable to attend the ceremony in Los Angeles: “We played in Lyon on Saturday and will be in Nantes on Tuesday, so making a round trip between two concerts wasn’t reasonable,” they explained. This marks their third Grammy Award, cementing their status as a key player on the international scene.

A Night Dominated by Beyoncé

The 67th Grammy Awards ceremony was also marked by Beyoncé’s triumph. Her album Cowboy Carter won Best Country Album and, most notably, Album of the Year—an award that had previously eluded her.

Finally, Kendrick Lamar stood out with two major awards, taking home Best Song and Record of the Year for Not Like Us.

With this successful night, France once again demonstrated its growing influence on the global music scene, from metal to electro and even opera. An unforgettable evening for Gojira and all extreme music fans.