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Kendrick Lamar continues to establish his dominance in the music industry with a series of remarkable achievements. Following his triumphant performance at the Grammy Awards on February 2, where he scooped up all five of his nominations for “Not Like Us,” including prestigious titles such as Record of the Year and Song of the Year, Lamar captivated audiences once again during the Super Bowl halftime show on Sunday. His performance, featuring a dynamic medley of hits, underscored his status as one of the leading figures in contemporary music.
Amid these accolades, Lamar surprised fans with the release of his new album, GNX, on November 22, making him eligible for further Grammy consideration in 2026. Current predictions from Gold Derby suggest he is positioned to clinch the coveted Album of the Year award, marking a notable opportunity for recognition he has long sought.
Lamar’s quest for Album of the Year has been ongoing since 2014, but he has faced stiff competition. His debut nomination came with Good Kid, M.A.A.D City, where he lost to Daft Punk‘s Random Access Memories. Subsequent nominations for albums like To Pimp a Butterfly (2016) and Damn (2018) resulted in near misses, with wins going to Taylor Swift and Bruno Mars, respectively. Even notable collaborative efforts, such as the Black Panther soundtrack, ended in disappointment when it lost to Kacey Musgraves’ Golden Hour. Most recently, Lamar was nominated for Mr. Morale and the Big Steppers in 2023 and lost to Harry Styles‘s Harry’s House. This record stands at six nominations without a win.
However, Lamar’s accolades extend beyond these losses. With 22 Grammy wins under his belt, he ranks among the most awarded rappers in history, sitting just behind Kanye West and Jay-Z in terms of total wins. His ability to secure recognition across various categories demonstrates his versatility and appeal, despite the historical challenges faced by rap artists in mainstream award categories.
The landscape around Grammy voting has shown signs of change, which could bode well for Lamar. Recent victories for tracks like “This Is America” by Childish Gambino suggest a shift towards broader acceptance of rap music within top categories. Additionally, the Recording Academy’s efforts to diversify its membership might be contributing to this evolving dynamic. The recent win for Beyoncé in the Album of the Year category for Cowboy Carter further signifies a potential opening for other artists like Lamar to achieve similar recognition.
With his status growing in the industry and the historical challenges surrounding rap in major categories, the prospect of Lamar finally winning Album of the Year seems more viable than ever. The only rap album to previously secure this honor was OutKast’s Speakerboxxx/The Love Below in 2004, making Lamar’s case for a groundbreaking victory all the more compelling, given his sustained influence and critical acclaim over time.
As momentum builds from his recent successes, including a highly publicized rivalry with Drake and stellar performances, Lamar’s GNX remains a fixture on the Billboard 200 chart, showing its strength weeks after release. Looking ahead, his upcoming “Grand National” tour alongside SZA promises to further amplify his visibility and fan base. Given his current trajectory, it appears Kendrick Lamar is on the brink of achieving the recognition he has long pursued.
Source
www.goldderby.com