Music fans are a fickle bunch, but if there's one thing everyone agreed on recently, it's that 2024 belonged to a very specific kind of West Coast energy. If you've been scrolling through socials or hitting up any party in the last twelve months, you already know the vibe. But when the dust settled at the 67th Annual Grammy Awards in early 2025, the big question was officially answered.
Kendrick Lamar won Song of the Year for "Not Like Us."
It wasn't just a win. It was a statement. The song basically became a cultural artifact the second it dropped, turning a high-profile rap feud into a global anthem that even your grandma probably hummed once by accident.
Honestly, the Recording Academy usually plays it safe. They love a soaring ballad or a polished pop hit. Seeing a raw, aggressive, and deeply local diss track take home one of the "Big Four" trophies felt like a glitch in the Matrix. But "Not Like Us" was unavoidable. It didn't just top charts; it defined the year.
The Night Kendrick Lamar Swept the Field
The 2025 ceremony was kinda wild. Kendrick didn't just walk away with the songwriting trophy. He swept all five of his nominations. "Not Like Us" took home Song of the Year, Record of the Year, Best Rap Performance, Best Rap Song, and Best Music Video.
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That’s a heavy haul.
By winning both Song of the Year and Record of the Year, Kendrick became only the second rap artist in history to pull off that specific double-whammy. The first? Childish Gambino with "This Is America" back in 2019. It’s rare air.
Most people get confused between Record and Song of the Year. It's a common mix-up. Basically, Record of the Year is about the whole production—the artist, the producers, the engineers, the "sound" of the track. Song of the Year is purely for the songwriters. It's about the lyrics and the melody on paper. For "Not Like Us," that meant Kendrick Lamar himself took the trophy as the sole credited songwriter.
Who Else Was in the Running?
The competition was actually stacked. This wasn't a "gimme" year by any stretch. Look at the names Kendrick had to beat:
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- Taylor Swift was there with "Fortnight," featuring Post Malone.
- Billie Eilish had the hauntingly beautiful "Birds of a Feather."
- Sabrina Carpenter brought the infectious "Please Please Please."
- Chappell Roan, the breakout star of the season, was nominated for "Good Luck, Babe!"
- Beyoncé had the world stomping boots to "Texas Hold 'Em."
You've also got Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars with "Die With a Smile" and Shaboozey’s "A Bar Song (Tipsy)." Any of those could have won in a "normal" year. But 2024 wasn't normal. It was the year of the "Boogeyman."
Why "Not Like Us" Actually Won
You might think a diss track winning a prestigious songwriting award is weird. Usually, these awards go to songs about heartbreak or world peace. But the Grammys are increasingly looking at cultural impact and craft.
"Not Like Us" is a masterclass in rhythm and "Mustard on the beat" West Coast bounce. But the writing? The writing is dense. It’s filled with double entendres, rhythmic shifts, and a narrative structure that basically dismantled an opponent in real-time. The Academy members—who are musicians, writers, and pros—couldn't ignore the technical skill involved in making a song that was both a weapon and a club hit.
It also tied a historical record. By winning so much, it joined the 5th Dimension’s "Up, Up and Away" as one of the most decorated single songs in the history of the awards.
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Looking Toward the 2026 Grammys
As we sit here in 2026, the conversation has already shifted to the next crop of legends. The 68th Annual Grammy Awards are right around the corner—scheduled for February 1st—and the nominations are already out.
The "Song of the Year" category for 2026 is looking just as chaotic. Kendrick is actually back in the mix with "luther," a collaboration with SZA. But he’s facing off against Lady Gaga's "Abracadabra," Billie Eilish's "WILDFLOWER," and the massive viral hit "APT." by ROSÉ and Bruno Mars.
There's also a cool historical moment happening: "Golden" from the Netflix show KPop Demon Hunters got a nod. It’s the first time a song co-written by a Korean songwriter (EJAE) has hit this specific category.
What This Means for Your Playlist
If you're trying to keep up with the "experts," you’ve gotta recognize the shift. The Grammys aren't just for the "safe" radio hits anymore. They’re rewarding songs that move the needle.
If you want to understand the current state of music, you need to go back and listen to the 2025 winners versus the 2026 nominees. You'll notice a trend: vulnerability and high-concept production are winning out over generic pop.
Actionable Steps for the Music Obsessed:
- Listen to the "Big Four" Nominees: Before the 2026 ceremony on Feb 1, listen to the Song of the Year nominees back-to-back. Notice the difference between a "Record" (the sound) and a "Song" (the lyrics).
- Check the Credits: Use a site like Genius to see who actually wrote the 2026 nominees. Often, there are 10+ writers on a pop hit, but only one or two on a rap or indie track.
- Watch the Pre-Telecast: A lot of the coolest genre awards happen before the main show. That’s where RAYE recently picked up her first Grammy for "Ice Cream Man" (the Harry Belafonte Best Song for Social Change Award).