Kendrick Lamar Is Rap’s Most Decorated Grammy Winner

Kendrick Lamar is now the most decorated Grammy-winning rapper of all time, with his mantle holding a total of 27 awards.  

The “Humble” rapper blew past previous record-holder Jay-Z’s 24 wins, scooping up the honors for Best Rap Album for GNX; Best Rap Song for “TV Off”; Best Melodic Rap Performance for “Luther”; Best Rap Performance for “Chains & Whips”; and Record of the Year for “Luther.”  

“It is hip-hop as usual, man,” Lamar told the audience as he accepted the award for Best Rap Album. “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.” 

Before heading into the awards show Sunday night, Lamar was holding third place, behind Jay-Z and Kanye West’s 24 wins. Lamar was up for a total of nine awards at this year’s ceremony, making him the most-nominated artist of the year. 

It’s been a relatively quick ascent into the halls of fame for Lamar, who was nominated for his first Grammy with his breakthrough 2012 album “Good Kid, M.A.A.D City.” He clinched his first award in 2015 for Best Rap Song and Best Rap Performance for “I.”