Kendrick Lamar surpasses Jay-Z as rapper with most Grammy awards

Kendrick Lamar has etched his name into music history, becoming the most awarded rapper at the Grammy Awards after a dominant showing at the 2026 ceremony on Sunday, February 1.

The Compton-born rapper entered the night with 22 Grammy wins and walked away with five more, bringing his career total to 27. In doing so, the 38-year-old surpassed Jay-Z’s record of 25 and pulled ahead of Kanye West, who has 24, claiming the title of the most decorated rapper in Grammy history.

The milestone came early in the night when Lamar won Best Rap Album for GNX, his third win in the category following To Pimp a Butterfly in 2016 and Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers in 2023.

Lamar went on to dominate the rap categories, winning Best Rap Song for “Tv off” featuring Lefty Gunplay, Best Rap Performance for “Chains & Whips” with Clipse, and Best Melodic Rap Performance for “Luther,” his collaboration with SZA. He also secured Record of the Year for “Luther,” marking his second consecutive win in the general field and becoming the first rapper to win Record of the Year back-to-back.

Although GNX was nominated for Album of the Year and “Luther” for Song of the Year, Lamar did not take home those awards. Still, his five wins from nine nominations made him the most successful artist of the night.

During his acceptance speech for Best Rap Album, Lamar reflected on perseverance, cultural responsibility, and the power of storytelling.

The 2026 wins bring Lamar’s career Grammy record to 27 awards from 66 nominations, highlighting consistent dominance across rap categories and growing recognition in general fields. His journey spans more than a decade, from early wins for “i” and “Alright” to recent sweeps with Not Like Us and GNX.

The record-breaking achievement has sparked debate about generational shifts in hip-hop, with many noting Lamar’s sustained artistic evolution and cultural impact. Following the release of GNX in late 2024 and a high-profile feud with Drake, Lamar has remained at the centre of hip-hop discourse.

With his latest Grammy triumph, Kendrick Lamar’s status as one of modern music’s most influential figures is firmly secured—and at 27 wins, his record is likely to grow further.

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