Kendrick Lamar has officially become the most-awarded hip-hop artist in Grammy Awards history, with 26 wins in total.
The “Not Like Us” rapper collected four trophies at the 68th Annual Grammy Awards, held in Los Angeles on Sunday night.
He won best rap album for “GNX,” best rap song for “TV Off,” melodic rap performance for “Luther,” and rap performance for his feature on Clipse’s “Chains & Whips,” bringing his career total to 26 Grammys.
The milestone sees Lamar surpass former record holder Jay-Z, who holds 25 wins, as well as Kanye West, who sits close behind with 24.
Lamar’s tally could still rise, with major categories including song of the year, record of the year and album of the year yet to be revealed.
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.”
Entering the ceremony with 22 Grammy wins from 57 nominations, Lamar earned nine nods this year alone, including in the top-tier album, song and record of the year fields.
He was previously the third-most decorated rapper in Grammy history and had already secured three awards before the live CBS broadcast.
Last year, his hit single “Not Like Us” — a diss track aimed at Drake — dominated the ceremony, sweeping all five of its nominated categories.
Lamar has now won best rap album three times, for “To Pimp a Butterfly” (2016), “DAMN.” (2018) and “Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers” (2023).
His 2012 breakthrough album “good kid, m.A.A.d city” notably lost the best rap album prize to Macklemore & Ryan Lewis’ “The Heist” — a decision that sparked widespread backlash and prompted a now-famous text from Macklemore admitting, “You got robbed.”
