If you were watching the 67th Annual Grammy Awards in February 2025, you saw something that felt less like a typical awards ceremony and more like a coronation. We've all seen Kendrick at the Grammys before. We remember the 2016 performance where he walked out in chains, the literal fire of the DAMN. era, and the quiet, heavy brilliance of Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers. But 2025 was different.
Kendrick Lamar didn't just win; he cleared the floor.
His anthem "Not Like Us" didn't just sit on the charts for a few weeks—it fundamentally changed how the Recording Academy looks at "beef" tracks. Usually, the Grammys shy away from messy public feuds. They like their winners polished, safe, and universal. Yet, there was Kendrick, standing on stage with Mustard, accepting Record of the Year and Song of the Year for a song that essentially dismantled another artist’s entire reputation.
The Night "Not Like Us" Made History
It's wild to think about. A diss track is now tied for the most-awarded song in Grammy history. "Not Like Us" took home five trophies in a single night, matching a record set by The 5th Dimension's "Up, Up and Away" way back in 1968.
Specifically, he swept:
- Record of the Year
- Song of the Year
- Best Rap Performance
- Best Rap Song
- Best Music Video
Winning Record of the Year is a big deal for hip-hop. Honestly, it's rare. Before Kendrick pulled this off, Childish Gambino’s "This Is America" was the only rap-leaning song to take that specific trophy home in 2019. Kendrick didn't just participate in the culture; he forced the Academy to acknowledge that a song born out of a localized, West Coast conflict could be the definitive "Song of the Year" for the entire world.
👉 See also: Album Hopes and Fears: Why We Obsess Over Music That Doesn't Exist Yet
During his speech, he wasn't doing the usual "I'm so humbled" routine. Well, he was, but it was directed at Compton. He shouted out neighborhoods like the Palisades and Altadena. He wore a "Canadian tuxedo" (denim on denim), which felt like a subtle, cheeky nod to the heritage of the person he was rapping against. It was a "West Side" victory lap in the truest sense.
Why 2026 Looks Even Bigger for Kendrick Lamar
You’d think after winning five Grammys in 2025, he’d take a break. Nope.
As we head into the 2026 Grammy season, Kendrick at the Grammys is once again the lead story. He is currently leading all artists with nine nominations. This puts him in an elite bracket, marking the third time he’s secured the most nods in a single year (he did it in 2016 and 2019, too).
The focus this time is on his latest project, GNX. The industry is buzzing because Kendrick has achieved something no other solo artist has ever done: he has had five consecutive studio albums nominated for Album of the Year.
Think about that run.
✨ Don't miss: The Name of This Band Is Talking Heads: Why This Live Album Still Beats the Studio Records
- good kid, m.A.A.d city 2. To Pimp a Butterfly
- DAMN.
- Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers
- GNX
He’s 0-for-4 on the big prize so far. The Grammys have a history of "snubbing" him for the top award—giving it to Taylor Swift, Bruno Mars, or Harry Styles instead. But with nine nominations for the 2026 ceremony, including Album of the Year, Record of the Year (for "Luther" with SZA), and Song of the Year, the narrative feels like it’s shifting toward a career-achievement win.
The "Big Four" Problem and the Rap Glass Ceiling
There’s always been this weird tension between Kendrick and the Recording Academy. We all remember the 2014 ceremony where he lost Best Rap Album to Macklemore. Even Macklemore knew it was wrong—he famously texted Kendrick to apologize.
Since then, Kendrick has basically become the Academy's "prestige" pick. They love to give him the rap categories. He has 22 Grammy wins now. But the "Big Four" (Album, Record, Song, and Best New Artist) have mostly remained out of reach for rappers. By winning both Record and Song of the Year for a diss track in 2025, Kendrick broke a glass ceiling that had been reinforced for decades.
What Most People Get Wrong About His Wins
People think the Grammys just "jumped on the bandwagon" because "Not Like Us" was a viral hit. That’s only half the story. The song won because of its technical construction. Mustard’s production—the way he flipped that Monk Higgins sample—was a masterclass in tension. The Academy’s voting body consists of producers and engineers who look at the "how" as much as the "what."
Also, it's worth noting that Kendrick’s Grammy success isn't just about his solo work. He’s nominated for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance in 2026 for his work with SZA. He’s shown he can play in the "pop" sandbox without losing his edge, which is exactly how you rack up enough votes across different branches of the Academy to win the major categories.
🔗 Read more: Wrong Address: Why This Nigerian Drama Is Still Sparking Conversations
Iconic Moments We Still Talk About
If you’re trying to understand the gravity of Kendrick at the Grammys, you have to look at the performances. The wins are just hardware. The performances are what stay in your brain.
- 2014: The Imagine Dragons mashup. It was chaotic. It was loud. It was Kendrick proving he could out-energy a rock band on their own stage.
- 2016: The "Chain Gang" performance. This is widely considered one of the top five greatest Grammy performances of all time. He performed "The Blacker the Berry" and "Alright" with a level of theatricality that made everything else that night look like a middle school talent show.
- 2018: The opening medley with Dave Chappelle providing satirical commentary. It was high art in a room full of industry executives.
How to Track His Success
If you're following the 2026 awards, keep an eye on these specific milestones. If GNX wins Album of the Year, it will be only the third rap album in history to do so, joining Lauryn Hill and Outkast.
He’s also up for Best Arrangement, Instruments and Vocals and Best Melodic Rap Performance. It’s this diversity of nominations that makes him the favorite. He’s not just "the rap guy" anymore; he’s the "music guy."
Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts
- Watch the "Luther" Momentum: His collaboration with SZA is a heavy favorite for Record of the Year. Since they’ve both been Academy darlings lately, this is a strong "safety" bet for a win.
- Look at the Competition: For the 2026 Album of the Year, he’s up against Lady Gaga’s Mayhem, Sabrina Carpenter’s Man’s Best Friend, and Tyler, The Creator’s Chromakopia. It’s a crowded field, but Kendrick’s narrative is the strongest.
- Check the Producer Credits: Jack Antonoff and Cirkut are both nominated heavily this year. Their work with other artists (like Gaga and Sabrina) might split the vote, potentially clearing a path for Kendrick's team, including Sounwave and Mustard, to sweep the technical categories.
Kendrick Lamar has already cemented his legacy. Whether he wins all nine in 2026 or none of them, the 2025 sweep for a diss track remains the most "hip-hop" moment the Grammys has ever allowed to happen. He didn't change for the Academy; he made the Academy change for him.
The next step is simple: watch the 68th Annual Grammy Awards on February 1, 2026, at the Crypto.com Arena. Pay close attention to the Album of the Year category—it’s the final hurdle in a career that has already redefined what a rapper can achieve in the eyes of the establishment.