Kendrick Lamar Ascends to Grammy Throne, Surpassing JAY-Z with Record-Breaking 27 Wins
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Kendrick Lamar has cemented his legacy as a hip-hop icon, surpassing JAY-Z as the rapper with the most Grammy Awards of all time. The Compton artist secured a total of 27 Grammys after a dominant showing at the 2026 ceremony, adding to his already impressive collection and solidifying the Grammy Awards as an increasingly significant celebration of his artistry.
A New Reign: Lamar’s Historic Achievement
Prior to Sunday’s (February 1, 2026) awards presentation, JAY-Z held the record for most Grammy wins by a rapper with 25 awards. However, Lamar’s exceptional performance throughout the evening propelled him past “Hov,” concluding the night with a remarkable 27 trophies. This achievement marks a pivotal moment in hip-hop history, signaling a shift in generational dominance at the industry’s most prestigious awards show.
Building Momentum: From Drake Diss to Critical Acclaim
Lamar’s path to the record was paved with consistent critical and commercial success. In February 2025, he secured five Grammys for his assertive track, “Not Like Us,” widely recognized as a direct response to Drake. The widespread acclaim surrounding his 2024 album, GNX, further positioned him as a frontrunner to surpass JAY-Z’s benchmark. When the 2026 Grammy nominations were announced in November 2025, Lamar led all artists with an astounding nine nominations, alongside five nominations each for Clipse, Doechii, and Tyler, The Creator.
Pre-Ceremony Wins and Televised Triumphs
The accolades began accumulating for Lamar even before the televised ceremony commenced. He was awarded three Grammys in pre-show categories: Best Rap Performance for his featured verse on Clipse’s “Chains & Whips,” Best Melodic Rap Performance for the collaboration “luther” featuring SZA, and Best Rap Song for “tv off.”
During the live broadcast, Lamar’s GNX project earned the coveted title of Best Rap Album, triumphing over albums from Tyler, The Creator’s CHROMAKOPIA and Clipse’s Let God Sort Em Out. The night culminated with “luther” being named Record of the Year, besting formidable contenders like Bad Bunny’s “DtMF,” Doechii’s “Anxiety,” and Lady Gaga’s “Abracadabra.”
The Power of Respectful Sampling
Accepting the Record of the Year award, Lamar shared insight into the creative process behind “luther,” revealing a key condition set by the estate of Luther Vandross for clearing the sample from “If This World Were Mine.” “Being able to put our vocals [on] it, it proves that we were somewhat worthy to be just as great as them individuals,” Lamar stated, acknowledging Vandross and Cheryl Lynn. “They granted us that. They said, ‘No cursing, though. Can’t curse on it.’” This anecdote underscores Lamar’s commitment to honoring musical legacies and the power of lyrical integrity.
Despite his success, Lamar was also nominated for Album of the Year but ultimately lost to Bad Bunny’s DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS.
Lamar’s continued success at the Grammy Awards signals not only his individual brilliance but also a broader recognition of hip-hop’s evolving artistry and cultural impact.
