American rapper Kendrick Lamar has achieved a monumental milestone in music history, officially becoming the most-awarded rapper in the history of the Grammy Awards. At the 2026 Grammy ceremony held at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, Lamar secured his place in the record books by surpassing the legendary Jay-Z.
A Historic Night for Hip-Hop
The 38-year-old artist entered the night with high expectations and delivered an unforgettable performance, both on stage and in the awards tally. By the end of the evening, Lamar had amassed an impressive total of 27 Grammy wins, eclipsing Jay-Z's previous record of 25 awards. This achievement solidifies his status as one of the most influential and celebrated figures in contemporary music.
Five Awards in One Night
Lamar's historic night was highlighted by five Grammy wins across various categories. He kicked off the ceremony by claiming the award for Best Rap Album for his critically acclaimed work GNX. The momentum continued as he received the prestigious Record of the Year award for his collaboration with SZA on the track "Luther".
Additional accolades included:
- Best Rap Performance for "Chains & Whips," featuring Clipse, Pusha T, Malice, and Pharrell Williams.
- Best Melodic Rap Performance for "Luther."
- Best Rap Song for "tv off."
Lamar's Heartfelt Acceptance Speech
While accepting the award for Best Rap Album, Lamar shared his gratitude and reflected on the significance of hip-hop culture. "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," he said. "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."
He also took a moment to acknowledge his peers, stating, "It's Tyler [the Creator], Clipse. These are my brothers to be in this category. What's up Push man, Malice man. Every time I tell you this, hip hop is gonna always be right here. We gonna be in these suits. We gonna be looking good. We gonna be having our folks with us. We gonna be having the culture with us." Lamar concluded his speech with a message of appreciation, saying, "So I appreciate y'all, God is the glory. Love y'all."
Breaking More Records
Beyond becoming the most-awarded rapper, Lamar also set additional records at the 2026 Grammys. He became the first rapper to win Record of the Year twice and the first male artist and rapper to secure this prize consecutively. This underscores his consistent excellence and innovation in the music industry.
Leading the Nominations
Heading into the ceremony, Lamar was the most-nominated artist, with nine nominations spanning major categories. This placed him ahead of other notable figures such as Lady Gaga and producers Cirkut and Jack Antonoff, who each had seven nominations. Artists like Bad Bunny, Leon Thomas, and Sabrina Carpenter followed closely with six nominations each, highlighting a competitive field that Lamar ultimately dominated.
This historic achievement not only celebrates Kendrick Lamar's individual talent but also marks a significant moment for hip-hop culture on the global stage. His record-breaking wins at the 2026 Grammy Awards will be remembered as a testament to his artistry and the enduring impact of rap music.
