Kendrick Lamar Surpasses Jay-Z, Becomes All-Time Most Awarded Rapper at 2026 Grammys

Kendrick Lamar achieved a historic milestone at the 2026 Grammy Awards, surpassing Jay-Z with a total of 27 career wins, cementing his place as the most awarded rapper in Grammy history. The rapper won Best Rap Album for GNX and Record of the Year for Luther featuring SZA, among several other accolades.

Kendrick Lamar Dominates 2026 Grammys

Most-Nominated Artist of the Night

Kendrick Lamar entered the 2026 Grammy Awards as the most-nominated artist of the year, receiving nine nominations. Trailing him were Lady Gaga, producer Cirkut, and songwriter Jack Antonoff with seven nominations each, while Bad Bunny, Leon Thomas, and Sabrina Carpenter earned six nominations each.

Multiple Wins Across Rap Categories

Lamar’s Grammy victories spanned multiple categories:

• Best Rap Album – GNX

• Best Rap Performance – Chains & Whips (with Clipse, Pusha T, Malice, and Pharrell Williams)

• Best Melodic Rap Performance – Luther

• Best Rap Song – tv off

While GNX was also nominated for Album of the Year, the award went to Bad Bunny’s DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS.

During his acceptance speech, Lamar kept his remarks brief, stating he was “not good at talking about” himself and preferred expressing himself through his music. He also acknowledged fellow nominees, calling them ‘brothers’ and emphasizing hip-hop’s ongoing prominence at the Grammy Awards.

A Year of Major Recognition for Kendrick Lamar

The 2026 Grammys follow a high-profile 2025 for Lamar. The previous year saw him winning top awards for Not Like Us, including Song of the Year and Record of the Year. He also headlined the Super Bowl Halftime Show, becoming the first solo rapper to do so, performing with SZA and DJ Mustard. The performance featured special appearances from Serena Williams and Samuel L. Jackson.

With 27 career Grammy trophies, Lamar now leads all rappers in Grammy history, surpassing Jay-Z’s previous record of 25 wins, a benchmark that had stood for years.

Kendrick Lamar’s Legacy and Impact

Kendrick Lamar’s record-breaking achievement highlights his consistency, versatility, and global influence in hip-hop. From socially conscious lyrics to genre-defining albums like GNX and Not Like Us, Lamar continues to elevate rap to new artistic heights while setting new standards for recognition in the music industry.

The 2026 Grammys have officially rewritten rap history — and Kendrick Lamar’s name is now synonymous with Grammy excellence.