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Kendrick Lamar etched his name deeper into music history at the 2026 Grammy Awards, becoming the most-awarded rapper of all time after pushing his career total to
27 wins. The milestone moment came early in the ceremony at Los Angeles' Crypto.com Arena, where the Compton-born artist claimed Best Rap Album for GNX, overtaking Jay-Z's long-standing record of 25 Grammy trophies.
The 38-year-old artist's historic night did not stop there. As the broadcast unfolded, Lamar also captured Record of the Year for "Luther," his collaboration with SZA, further cementing his dominance during a ceremony where he led all nominees with nine nods. The achievement placed him ahead of a competitive field that included Lady Gaga, Bad Bunny, Sabrina Carpenter, and several of hip-hop's most respected voices.
Accepting his rap album award, Lamar struck a reflective tone, telling the audience that music remains his preferred language. "I'm not good at talking about myself, but I express it through the music," he said, calling the recognition an honor while praising fellow nominees Tyler, the Creator and Clipse. He emphasized hip-hop's staying power, noting that the culture would continue to thrive, evolve, and command space on the world's biggest stages.
Earlier in the evening, Lamar collected additional wins for Best Rap Performance for "Chains & Whips," alongside Clipse, Pusha T, Malice, and Pharrell Williams, Best Melodic Rap Performance for "Luther," and Best Rap Song for "tv off." Those victories helped propel him past Jay-Z before the main telecast had fully begun.
The Grammys capped a remarkable run for Lamar, who entered 2025 fresh off a landmark Super Bowl halftime show, becoming the first solo rapper to headline the event. Last year, he also swept major categories with "Not Like Us," winning five Grammys including Song and Record of the Year. With Album of the Year still in play for GNX, Lamar's record-breaking total may not be finished growing.
For fans, peers, and critics, the night underscored Lamar's rare ability to balance commercial success with artistic integrity, reinforcing his place among hip-hop's most influential voices of his generation, with a legacy still unfolding.
