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. Lamar can still raise that count, with categories like song of the year, record of the year and album of the year yet to be announced.
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 on CBS.
Last year, Lamar’s hit single “Not Like Us” — a diss track targeted at Drake — swept its categories, winning five Grammys alone. He has won the award for best rap album three times, for 2016’s “To Pimp a Butterfly,” 2018’s “DAMN.” and 2023’s “Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers.” His 2012 breakthrough, “good kid, m.A.A.d city,” famously lost to Macklemore & Ryan Lewis’ “The Heist,” which drew sharp backlash and a text from Macklemore that admitted, “You got robbed.”
