Kendrick Lamar has officially rewritten Grammy history. As of the 68th Annual Grammy Awards in February 2026, Lamar has amassed 27 Grammy Awards from 66 nominations, becoming the most-awarded rapper of all time, surpassing Jay-Z’s previous record of 25 wins.
What makes this milestone even more remarkable is how Kendrick achieved it — through genre-blending albums, socially conscious lyricism, cinematic visuals, and era-defining records that consistently dominate hip-hop, pop, R&B, and visual media categories.
This article takes you through Kendrick Lamar’s Grammy journey year by year, highlighting his biggest wins, his record-breaking moments, and how his evolution from good kid, m.A.A.d city to GNX shaped one of the most decorated careers in music history.
Kendrick Lamar’s Grammy Journey: From First Nominations to Record Breaker
Kendrick Lamar’s Grammy story began humbly at the 56th Grammy Awards (2014). That year, he earned seven nominations, including Album of the Year for Good Kid, M.A.A.D City, Best New Artist, and nods for “Swimming Pools (Drank)” and “Fuckin’ Problems.”
Despite walking away without a trophy, the industry had already signaled that Kendrick was not just another rapper — he was a future institution.
His breakthrough came one year later.
At the 57th Grammys (2015), Kendrick captured his first two Grammy wins for:
- Best Rap Performance – “I”
- Best Rap Song – “I”
Those wins marked the official arrival of Kendrick Lamar as a Grammy mainstay.
The To Pimp a Butterfly Era: Kendrick’s Artistic Takeover
The 58th Grammy Awards (2016) became Kendrick’s first dominant night. His revolutionary album To Pimp a Butterfly reshaped hip-hop, and the Grammys followed.
That year he won:
- Best Rap Performance – “Alright”
- Best Rap Song – “Alright”
- Best Rap Album – To Pimp a Butterfly
- Best Music Video – “Bad Blood” (Taylor Swift ft. Kendrick Lamar)
- Best Rap/Sung Performance – “These Walls”
He also earned nominations for Album of the Year, Song of the Year, and several cross-genre categories, proving his reach went far beyond rap.
By this point, Kendrick was no longer competing — he was defining the standard.
The DAMN. Era: Commercial Power Meets Critical Acclaim
Fast-forward to the 60th Grammy Awards (2018), and Kendrick delivered one of the most successful Grammy campaigns in hip-hop history with DAMN.
That night he won:
- Best Rap Performance – “HUMBLE.”
- Best Rap Song – “HUMBLE.”
- Best Music Video – “HUMBLE.”
- Best Rap Album – DAMN
- Best Rap/Sung Performance – “LOYALTY.” (ft. Rihanna)
While he was nominated for Record of the Year and Album of the Year, the sheer dominance of his rap category sweep made DAMN. one of the most celebrated Grammy rap eras ever.
The Black Panther and Collaboration Phase
In 2019 (61st Grammys), Kendrick’s influence extended into film and collaborative work with Black Panther: The Album.
Key highlights included:
- Best Rap Performance – “King’s Dead” (Jay Rock ft. Kendrick Lamar, Future & James Blake)
He also earned nominations for:
- Record of the Year – “All the Stars”
- Song of the Year – “All the Stars”
- Album of the Year – Black Panther: The Album
This period showcased Kendrick not just as an artist, but as a curator and producer capable of shaping entire cultural moments.
Baby Keem and the Modern Kendrick Era
By 2022 (64th Grammys), Kendrick partnered with his cousin Baby Keem and won:
- Best Rap Performance – “Family Ties”
In 2023 (65th Grammys), Kendrick returned with Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers and delivered another powerful run:
- Best Rap Performance – “The Heart Part 5”
- Best Rap Song – “The Heart Part 5”
- Best Rap Album – Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers
Though he missed out on Album and Song of the Year, the project reinforced his reputation as hip-hop’s most introspective storyteller.
The Not Like Us Sweep and Back-to-Back Record of the Year Wins
The 67th Grammy Awards (2025) became one of Kendrick’s most legendary nights. His viral anthem “Not Like Us” dominated the ceremony.
He won:
- Record of the Year – “Not Like Us”
- Song of the Year – “Not Like Us”
- Best Rap Performance – “Not Like Us”
- Best Rap Song – “Not Like Us”
- Best Music Video – “Not Like Us”
This sweep made Kendrick the first male solo artist and first rapper to win Record of the Year in consecutive years, a feat he would extend in 2026.
The GNX Era and 2026 Grammy Supremacy
At the 68th Grammy Awards (2026), Kendrick Lamar entered with nine nominations tied to his surprise album GNX and major collaborations. He walked out with five wins, pushing his career total to 27 Grammys.
His 2026 wins were:
- Record of the Year – “Luther” (ft. SZA)
- Best Melodic Rap Performance – “Luther” (ft. SZA)
- Best Rap Album – GNX
- Best Rap Song – “TV Off” (ft. Lefty Gunplay)
- Best Rap Performance – “Chains & Whips” (Clipse ft. Kendrick Lamar, Pusha T, Malice & Pharrell Williams)
He also earned nominations for:
- Album of the Year – GNX
- Song of the Year – “Luther”
- Best Pop Duo/Group Performance – “30 for 30” (with SZA)
- Best Rap Performance – “TV Off”
With GNX, Kendrick secured his fourth career night with five Grammy wins, cementing his dominance across eras.
Kendrick Lamar Grammy Wins Table (Career Highlights)
| Year | Ceremony | Category | Work | Result |
| 2015 | 57th | Best Rap Performance | “I” | Won |
| 2015 | 57th | Best Rap Song | “I” | Won |
| 2016 | 58th | Best Rap Performance | “Alright” | Won |
| 2016 | 58th | Best Rap Song | “Alright” | Won |
| 2016 | 58th | Best Rap Album | To Pimp a Butterfly | Won |
| 2016 | 58th | Best Music Video | “Bad Blood” | Won |
| 2016 | 58th | Best Rap/Sung Performance | “These Walls” | Won |
| 2018 | 60th | Best Rap Performance | “HUMBLE.” | Won |
| 2018 | 60th | Best Rap Song | “HUMBLE.” | Won |
| 2018 | 60th | Best Music Video | “HUMBLE.” | Won |
| 2018 | 60th | Best Rap Album | DAMN. | Won |
| 2018 | 60th | Best Rap/Sung Performance | “LOYALTY.” | Won |
| 2019 | 61st | Best Rap Performance | “King’s Dead” | Won |
| 2022 | 64th | Best Rap Performance | “Family Ties” | Won |
| 2023 | 65th | Best Rap Performance | “The Heart Part 5” | Won |
| 2023 | 65th | Best Rap Song | “The Heart Part 5” | Won |
| 2023 | 65th | Best Rap Album | Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers | Won |
| 2025 | 67th | Record of the Year | “Not Like Us” | Won |
| 2025 | 67th | Song of the Year | “Not Like Us” | Won |
| 2025 | 67th | Best Rap Performance | “Not Like Us” | Won |
| 2025 | 67th | Best Rap Song | “Not Like Us” | Won |
| 2025 | 67th | Best Music Video | “Not Like Us” | Won |
| 2026 | 68th | Record of the Year | “Luther” | Won |
| 2026 | 68th | Best Melodic Rap Performance | “Luther” | Won |
| 2026 | 68th | Best Rap Album | GNX | Won |
| 2026 | 68th | Best Rap Song | “TV Off” | Won |
| 2026 | 68th | Best Rap Performance | “Chains & Whips” | Won |
Kendrick Lamar’s Grammy Legacy in 2026
With 27 Grammy wins, 66 nominations, multiple five-award nights, and back-to-back Record of the Year victories, Kendrick Lamar’s Grammy résumé now sits among the most elite in music history — not just hip-hop.
From protest anthems like “Alright” to introspective albums like Mr. Morale, viral dominance with “Not Like Us,” and genre-blending excellence on GNX, Kendrick’s career reflects evolution, consistency, and cultural impact.
In 2026, Kendrick Lamar isn’t just the most awarded rapper alive — he’s one of the most decorated and influential artists the Grammys have ever seen.
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