Kendrick Lamar is officially the most-awarded hip-hop artist in Grammys history.
The “Not Like Us” rapper took home the awards for best rap album for “GNX,” best rap song for “TV Off,” melodic rap performance for “Luther” and rap performance for being featured in Clipse’s “Chains & Whips,” bringing his total to 26. He surpassed previous record holder Jay-Z, who has 25 Grammys to his name, and Kanye West, who was in second place with 24 trophies.
Accepting the award for best rap album, Lamar said, “It is hip-hop as usual, man. I’m not good at talking about myself, but I express it through the music. It’s an honor to be here. … Hip-hop is going to always be right here. We are going to be in these suits looking good, having our folks with us. We are going to be having the culture with us. So I appreciate y’all. God is to glory. Love y’all.”
Lamar went into the night with 22 Grammy wins and 57 nominations. He was nominated for nine Grammys this year, including for album of the year, song of the year and record of the year. He was the third-most awarded rapper prior to Sunday’s 68th annual fete, and he won three awards before the live telecast onCBS.
His album DAMN. that came out in 2017, not only got him the Best Rap Album at the 2018 Grammy awards, it earned him the Pulitzer Prize for Music in 2018 – an unprecedented honor for a hip-hop artist.
The importance of Lamar’s victory goes beyond mere numbers. Surpassing one of hip hop’s most iconic figures for most Grammy wins underscores how a genre born on the margins has become central to global culture. His continued success signals not only personal achievement but also a milestone for the broader recognition of rap as an art form worthy of the highest honors in music.
