Kendrick Lamar delivered one of the defining moments of the 2026 Grammy Awards, emerging as the night’s biggest winner with five trophies and rewriting hip-hop history in the process.
With the latest wins, the 38-year-old rap star now holds 27 Grammy Awards, making him the most-awarded rapper of all time and moving ahead of Jay-Z, who previously held the record with 25.
Lamar’s historic run began early in the ceremony when he clinched Best Rap Album for GNX, setting the pace for a landmark night. He later secured one of the most coveted honours of the evening, Record of the Year, for “Luther” featuring SZA, further strengthening his record-breaking tally.
During his acceptance speech, Lamar admitted he prefers letting his art speak for him. “I’m not good at talking about myself, but I express it through the music,” he said. He also saluted fellow rap nominees, including Tyler, the Creator and Clipse, while reaffirming the staying power of hip-hop culture. He ended his remarks with gratitude, giving glory to God and appreciating supporters.
Lamar Dominates Nominations
Kendrick also led the 2026 nominations list with nine nods, putting him ahead of Lady Gaga, as well as top producers Cirkut and Jack Antonoff, who each earned seven nominations. Bad Bunny, Leon Thomas, and Sabrina Carpenter followed closely with six nominations each.
Beyond his major wins, Lamar also picked up awards for:
Best Rap Performance for “Chains & Whips” (with Clipse, Pusha T, Malice, and Pharrell Williams)
Best Melodic Rap Performance for “Luther”
Best Rap Song for “tv off”
His album GNX also earned a nomination for Album of the Year, though the category was eventually won by Bad Bunny for DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS.
A Career Built on Historic Firsts
Lamar’s latest milestone adds to an already remarkable Grammy journey. At the 2025 Grammys, he claimed multiple major awards, including Song of the Year, Record of the Year, Best Rap Performance, Best Rap Song, and Best Music Video for “Not Like Us.” In that same year, he made headlines as the first solo rap act to headline the Super Bowl Halftime Show, with SZA appearing as a special guest.
Over the years, Kendrick has earned widespread recognition for albums such as good kid, m.A.A.d city, To Pimp a Butterfly, and DAMN.—projects praised for their lyrical depth, sonic innovation, and cultural influence.
A Major Moment for Hip-Hop
Kendrick Lamar’s rise to 27 Grammys represents a major milestone not only for his career but for hip-hop as a global force. His consistent wins reflect both his artistic excellence and his habit of acknowledging the wider rap community.
As the 2026 Grammys wrap up, Lamar’s place in music history is clearer than ever—an artist whose impact stretches beyond awards into culture, sound, and storytelling. And with his record still growing, the bar for rap greatness has been raised once again.
