Kendrick Lamar

Kendrick Lamar

Photo: John Paul Filo/CBS/Getty Images

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See Kendrick Lamar Accept The 2018 Pulitzer Prize For Music

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At a historic moment for millions, the GRAMMY-winning artist makes hip-hop and American literary history
Philip Merrill
GRAMMYs
May 31, 2018 - 3:05 pm

At the 60th GRAMMY Awards, Kendrick Lamar's DAMN. album won the GRAMMY for Best Rap Album and the songs "HUMBLE." and "LOYALTY." earned GRAMMY wins as well, bringing Lamar's career wins to an even dozen. While this feat is hard to beat, there's certainly a lot of prestige in accepting a Pulitzer Prize.

Feb 8, 2018 – 2:10 pm

Kendrick Lamar, 'DAMN.': For The Record

At the 2018 Pulitzer Prize Awards Ceremony on May 30, "Beautiful" was the adjective that came to Lamar's lips, accepting his Pulitzer Prize for Music, as America's literary history and hip-hop history met at a high point in Columbia University's Low Library rotunda.

Released April 14, 2017, Lamar said that DAMN. "came out exactly how I heard it in my head." For all the album's success, it's clear that Lamar's vision is a work of creative genius. "Virtuosic" is the adjective the Pulitzers used to describe it.

The announcement of Lamar's historic Pulitzer win was made on April 16, exciting music lovers who have long valued the meaning and force of hip-hop. His win is the first time the Pulitzer for music was awarded outside of the classical or jazz genres.

With another prestigious prize to add to his awards shelf, we all look forward to being inspired by what this gifted artist and rapper goes on to hear in his head and to share with us over the years to come.

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61st GRAMMY Awards
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Poll: Who Do You Think Voters Will Pick For Best Rap Performance?

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Cardi B; Drake; Kendrick Lamar with Jay Rock, Future and James Blake; Anderson .Paak; Travis Scott with Drake, Big Hawk and Swae Lee — who would you choose?
Philip Merrill
GRAMMYs
Dec 12, 2018 - 10:24 am

The musical messages in the 61st GRAMMY Awards Best Rap Performance category examine life from many angles. Cardi B's romantic warning "Be Careful" lets potential partners know their love should be consistent, or else.

Meanwhile, in "Nice For What," Drake doubts assurances of support once it's time to come through.

And the team of Kendrick Lamar, Jay Rock, Future and James Blake brought us "King's Dead," urging that presumptuousness is not advisable and giving a shout-out to Marvel's Killmonger.

Finally, Anderson .Paak's "Bubblin" celebrates a fountain of cash and its implications for living, and Travis Scott, along with Drake, Big Hawk and Swae Lee, takes us into "Sicko Mode": another dimension of playing for keeps.

Polls

Who Do You Think Voters Will Pick For Best Rap Performance?

Who do you think GRAMMY voters will choose for Best Rap Performance at the 61st GRAMMY Awards? Vote and tune to CBS Feb. 10 to see if voters agreed with your pick.

2019 GRAMMY Nominees Album Now Available For Pre-Order

Kendrick Lamar

Kendrick Lamar

Photo: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images

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Kendrick Lamar Goes All In For Acting Debut In "Power"

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Playing a lovable but dangerous neighborhood character on the hit cable series, Lamar reveals a new side to show the world
Philip Merrill
GRAMMYs
Jul 30, 2018 - 4:06 pm

As a regular viewer of "Power" on Starz, Kendrick Lamar admired his friend 50 Cent's show for remaining unexpected season after season. On July 29, making his acting debut as homeless drug abuser Laces, the only Pulitzer-prize winning rapper was the one who brought unexpected freshness to the show.

In the episode, Lamar, almost unrecognizable in his role as Laces, distracts another character so hitman Kanan, played by 50 Cent, can shoot him. Laces helps himself to the victim's wallet and shoes and is stoked about it. It's certainly not the vision of Lamar we're used to.

"It's a total transformation," said executive producer of "Power" Courtney Kemp. "It is not a version of Kendrick Lamar that you've ever seen before."

In the interview with Kemp above, Lamar spoke of his preparation for the role and his satisfaction at playing someone he could relate to from real-life experiences growing up in Compton, Calif. Lamar's acting appearance shows that he is not only a master of musical and verbal expression, but shows promise of adding "triple threat" to his esteemed resume. After all, "discipline," the rapper shared, is his favorite word.

No word yet whether Laces will be back on screen. His millions of admirers hope the hard-working artist continues to create more unexpected experiences.

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Kendrick Lamar

Kendrick Lamar

Photo: Scott Dudelson/Getty Images

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Kendrick Lamar Earns Music Pulitzer Prize For 'DAMN.'

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The GRAMMY-winning rapper has earned another prestigious honor for his ground-breaking 2017 album
Renée Fabian
GRAMMYs
Apr 16, 2018 - 1:38 pm

On April 16, Pulitzer Administrator Dana Canedy unveiled the announcement of the 2018 Pulitzer Prize winners, and this year's honoree in the music category is Kendrick Lamar's album, DAMN.

Feb 8, 2018 – 2:10 pm

Kendrick Lamar, 'DAMN.': For The Record

Released in 2017, DAMN. effortlessly captured themes from racial equality to love with Lamar's signature rhymes at the helm. The Pulitzer Prize website called DAMN. "a virtuosic song collection unified by its vernacular authenticity and rhythmic dynamism that offers affecting vignettes capturing the complexity of modern African-American life."

Since its release, the LP has garnered extensive critical acclaim and accolades, including five GRAMMYs at the 60th GRAMMY Awards: Best Rap Album, Best Rap Performance, Best Rap Song and Best Music Video ("HUMBLE."), and Best Rap/Sung Performance ("LOYALTY.," with Rihanna).

In addition, Lamar is not only the first hip-hop artist to be awarded the Pulitzer, he is the first non-classical or -jazz musician to achieve the honor.

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SZA

SZA

Photo: Presley Ann/Patrick McMullan/Getty Images

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6 Singles From 'Black Panther: The Album' Hit Billboard Hot 100

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"King's Dead" and "Pray For Me" are joined by six newcomers from Wakanda on the latest Billboard Hot 100, led by "All The Stars"
Philip Merrill
GRAMMYs
Feb 21, 2018 - 1:52 pm

As the movie Black Panther and Kendrick Lamar's curated Black Panther: The Album continue to make inroads, more tracks have hit the Billboard Hot 100, while Black Panther: The Album hit No. 1 on the Billboard 200 for the week ending Feb. 15.

In the most recent tally on Feb. 24, two songs were on the Hot 100 from the previous week — "Pray For Me," combining Lamar with The Weeknd, at No. 11, while "King's Dead" moved from No. 69 up to No. 38, blending Lamar with James Blake, Future and Jay Rock.

Lamar and SZA's "All The Stars" entered the Hot 100 at position No. 9. Its official video was posted on YouTube Feb. 6 and is now up to more than 27 million views. Other tracks making their first appearance include "X" at No. 49 by 2 Chainz, Saudi and Schoolboy Q. This is Saudi's personal debut on the Hot 100.

One of the love songs featured on our recent Valentine's Day playlist, "The Ways" by Khalid and Swae Lee enters at No. 63. SOB X RBE, who just announced they'd be touring with Post Malone, debut on the chart at No. 67 with their powerful "Paramedic!"

The two other Black Panther Hot 100 newcomer tracks are the catchy "Big Shot" at No. 71, with Lamar and Travis Scott, trailed by the lyrical powerhouse "Black Panther" rap of Lamar's at No. 91.

Stay tuned to see what other cultural products of Wakanda explore the Billboard charts on their own.

Catching Up On Music News Powered By The Recording Academy Just Got Easier. Have A Google Home Device? "Talk To GRAMMYs"