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The King’s Reign: 5 Record-Shattering Moments In Kendrick Lamar’s Grammy History, Including The ‘Not Like Us’ Sweep And 9 New Nominations

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Kendrick Lamar has cemented his status as one of the most decorated and critically acclaimed artists in music history, a fact continually underscored by his monumental success at the Grammy Awards. As of this current date, December 25, 2025, the Compton rapper stands with an astonishing career total of 22 Grammy wins and 57 total nominations, placing him among the elite few in the Recording Academy's annals.

The conversation around Lamar’s Grammy legacy is more relevant than ever, following his historic sweep with the viral diss track "Not Like Us" at the 67th Annual Grammy Awards, and his current lead with nine nominations for the upcoming 68th Annual Grammy Awards, anchored by his latest album, *GNX*. This article delves into the most significant, record-breaking, and controversial moments that define Kendrick Lamar’s unparalleled relationship with music’s biggest night.

The Record-Shattering Grammy Legacy of King Kendrick

Kendrick Lamar Duckworth, born on June 17, 1987, in Compton, California, has transformed from a prodigious West Coast rapper into a Pulitzer Prize-winning artist and global cultural icon. His Grammy journey began in 2014 and has been marked by both unprecedented success and high-profile snubs that have fueled debates about the Academy's relationship with hip-hop. His discography—including *good kid, m.A.A.d city*, *To Pimp A Butterfly*, *DAMN.*, *Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers*, and the new *GNX*—forms the backbone of his Grammy dominance.

His total of 22 Grammy wins makes him the third-most awarded rapper in the ceremony's history, trailing only a handful of legends across all genres. His consistent presence in the general field categories (Album of the Year, Record of the Year, Song of the Year) is a testament to his cross-genre appeal and critical weight, even when the wins in those categories have proved elusive.

1. The Historic "Not Like Us" Sweep: The 67th Grammy Awards (2025)

The 67th Annual Grammy Awards became a landmark event for Kendrick Lamar, largely due to the seismic success of his viral track, "Not Like Us." The song, which dominated the summer and fall charts, went on to sweep every major category in which it was nominated, securing five major wins.

  • Record of the Year: "Not Like Us" (shared with producer Mustard)
  • Song of the Year: "Not Like Us"
  • Best Rap Song: "Not Like Us"
  • Best Rap Performance: "Not Like Us"
  • Best Music Video: "Not Like Us"

This phenomenal run made "Not Like Us" the single most decorated rap song in Grammy history, surpassing previous records and solidifying Lamar’s ability to turn a high-profile cultural moment—specifically, a diss track—into undeniable mainstream and critical gold. The sweep added five trophies to his already impressive collection, bringing his career total to 22 awards.

2. Leading the Pack: Nine Nominations for the 68th Grammy Awards (2026)

Just months after his "Not Like Us" triumph, Kendrick Lamar proved his relentless artistic output by dominating the nominations for the 68th Annual Grammy Awards, which are scheduled to be presented on February 1, 2026. The nominations, announced on November 7, 2025, saw Lamar lead all artists with a staggering nine nods.

The nominations are largely centered around his latest critically acclaimed album, *GNX*. Crucially, this album secured Lamar his fifth consecutive nomination for the coveted Album of the Year award. This consistent recognition for his full-length projects is a rare feat, demonstrating the Recording Academy's unwavering respect for his album-oriented artistry. The nine nominations also include nods in categories like Best Rap Album and multiple song categories, setting the stage for a potential further increase in his total Grammy count.

3. The Political Powerhouse: The 2016 Performance of *To Pimp A Butterfly*

While wins are the ultimate measure of success, Kendrick Lamar’s most impactful Grammy moments often come from his live performances. His 2016 performance is universally hailed as one of the most powerful and politically charged in the show’s history.

Performing a medley of songs from his critically lauded album *To Pimp A Butterfly*, Lamar delivered a stunning, theatrical spectacle that addressed issues of race, mass incarceration, and Black identity. The performance began with him chained in a prison setting, transitioning to an African-inspired stage with fire and tribal dancers, culminating in a powerful rendition of "Alright." This performance was a watershed moment, showing that the Grammy stage could be a platform for profound social and political commentary, not just entertainment.

4. The Infamous Snub: *good kid, m.A.A.d city* Loses Best Rap Album (2014)

No discussion of Kendrick Lamar and the Grammys is complete without addressing the snubs that have often overshadowed his wins, particularly early in his career. The most famous and controversial loss came at the 56th Annual Grammy Awards in 2014.

Lamar's debut major-label album, *good kid, m.A.A.d city* (GKMC), a cinematic masterpiece and instant classic, was widely expected to win Best Rap Album. In a move that drew immediate and lasting backlash, the award went to Macklemore & Ryan Lewis's *The Heist*. Macklemore himself later publicly acknowledged that Kendrick deserved the award. This loss, alongside others in the general field, sparked a major, ongoing debate about systemic racial biases within the Recording Academy and its tendency to confine hip-hop artists to genre-specific categories.

5. Securing the General Field Wins: The Path to Record and Song of the Year

For years, the narrative surrounding Lamar was his inability to convert his many nominations in the "Big Four" categories (Album, Record, Song, and Best New Artist) into wins. Albums like *To Pimp A Butterfly* and *DAMN.* consistently lost Album of the Year, despite sweeping the Rap categories. *DAMN.*, for instance, won five awards at the 60th Grammys, including Best Rap Album, but lost Album of the Year to Bruno Mars' *24K Magic*.

This history makes the "Not Like Us" sweep at the 67th Grammys—securing both Record of the Year and Song of the Year—a critical turning point. These major general field wins finally broke through the perceived barrier, validating his mainstream cultural impact on the highest level and silencing critics who argued that his success would always be limited to the rap categories. The victory confirmed his status not just as the King of Rap, but as one of the most important artists in modern music history.

The Future of Kendrick Lamar’s Grammy Reign

With the 68th Annual Grammy Awards approaching in early 2026, all eyes are on Kendrick Lamar and his nine nominations for *GNX*. If he secures the Album of the Year trophy, it will not only be his first win in the category after five nominations but will also further solidify his position as a generational artist who has mastered the balance between commercial success, critical acclaim, and social commentary. The sheer volume of his nominations and his recent historic wins prove that the Grammy Awards—and the music world—continue to revolve around the artistic output of Kendrick Lamar.

kendrick lamar grammys
kendrick lamar grammys

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