Hip-hop history was rewritten at the 68th Grammy Awards as Kendrick Lamar officially became the most awarded rapper in Grammy history, surpassing the long-standing record previously held by Jay-Z.
With multiple wins on the night, Kendrick Lamar pushed his career Grammy total to 27, moving him ahead of Jay-Z’s 25 and placing him alone at the top of rap’s all-time Grammy leaderboard. It is a landmark moment not just for Lamar, but for the genre itself.
The achievement capped off a dominant Grammy night for the Compton rapper, whose latest body of work GNX and its standout records continued his tradition of critical acclaim and industry recognition.
His wins on the night included:
Best Rap Album for GNX
Record of the Year for “Luther” (with SZA)
Best Rap Song for TV Off
Best Melodic Rap Performance for “Luther”
Best Rap Performance for his feature on Chains & Whips by Clipse
Jay-Z’s record had stood for years as a symbol of longevity, influence, and commercial power in hip-hop. Kendrick Lamar surpassing it represents something slightly different: a career built on concept-driven albums, social commentary, and a willingness to challenge both the audience and the industry. From good kid, m.A.A.d city through To Pimp a Butterfly, DAMN., and now GNX, Lamar has consistently treated rap as literature, protest, and personal reflection.
His rise to the top of the Grammy record books also signals how the Academy’s relationship with hip-hop has evolved. Once marginalized to a single televised category, rap is now regularly recognized across major fields, including general categories traditionally dominated by pop and rock. His repeated success in these spaces underscores that shift.
At 38, Kendrick Lamar is still very much in his creative prime. That reality makes the record even more significant. Unlike many historical milestones that mark the end of an era, this one feels ongoing. There is every indication that his total could grow further, especially as his work continues to balance cultural relevance with critical respect.
Importantly, Lamar’s achievement does not diminish Jay-Z’s legacy. Instead, it highlights a generational continuum in hip-hop from Jay-Z’s era of mogul rap and mainstream dominance to Kendrick Lamar’s era of introspection, narrative depth, and cultural critique. Both represent different peaks of the same mountain.
For fans, critics, and the industry alike, this moment stands as a reminder of what sustained artistic vision can achieve. In a genre defined by reinvention and competition, Kendrick Lamar has carved out a lane that rewards patience, substance, and intention.
The 68th Annual GRAMMY Awards (2026) delivered a night that balanced mainstream dominance with a growing global outlook. While pop, rap, and songwriting heavyweights controlled the Academy’s biggest prizes, the Global Music and African categories once again reinforced the Grammys’ slow but steady shift toward cultural inclusivity.
Below is a list of major GRAMMY categories alongside the Global and African-focused awards.
Major GRAMMY Categories (General Field)
Record of the Year
Winner: “luther” — Kendrick Lamar with SZA
Nominees:
“DtMF” — Bad Bunny
“Manchild” — Sabrina Carpenter
“Anxiety” — Doechii
“WILDFLOWER” — Billie Eilish
“Abracadabra” — Lady Gaga
“The Subway” — Chappell Roan
“APT.” — ROSÉ & Bruno Mars
Album of the Year
Winner: DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS — Bad Bunny
Nominees:
SWAG — Justin Bieber
Man’s Best Friend — Sabrina Carpenter
Let God Sort Em Out — Clipse
MAYHEM — Lady Gaga
GNX — Kendrick Lamar
MUTT — Leon Thomas
CHROMAKOPIA — Tyler, The Creator
Song of the Year
Winner: “WILDFLOWER” — Billie Eilish & FINNEAS
Nominees:
“Abracadabra” — Lady Gaga
“Anxiety” — Doechii
“APT.” — ROSÉ & Bruno Mars
“DtMF” — Bad Bunny
“Golden” — HUNTR/X
“luther” — Kendrick Lamar with SZA
“Manchild” — Sabrina Carpenter
Best New Artist
Winner: Olivia Dean
Nominees:
KATSEYE
The Marías
Addison Rae
sombr
Leon Thomas
Alex Warren
Lola Young
Songwriting & Production
Producer of the Year (Non-Classical)
Winner: Cirkut
Nominees:
Dan Auerbach
Dijon
Blake Mills
Sounwave
Songwriter of the Year (Non-Classical)
Winner: Amy Allen
Nominees:
Edgar Barrera
Jessie Jo Dillon
Tobias Jesso Jr.
Laura Veltz
Global & African Categories
Best African Music Performance
Winner: “Push 2 Start” — Tyla
Nominees:
“Love” — Burna Boy
“With You” — Davido ft. Omah Lay
“Hope & Love” — Eddy Kenzo & Mehran Matin
“Gimme Dat” — Ayra Starr ft. Wizkid
Best Global Music Performance
Winner: “EoO” — Bad Bunny
Nominees:
“Cantando en el Camino” — Ciro Hurtado
“Jerusalema” — Angélique Kidjo
“Inmigrante Y Qué?” — Yeisy Rojas
“Shrini’s Dream (Live)” — Shakti
“Daybreak” — Anoushka Shankar ft. Alam Khan & Sarathy Korwar
Best Global Music Album
Winner: Caetano e Bethânia Ao Vivo — Caetano Veloso & Maria Bethânia
Nominees:
Sounds of Kumbha — Siddhant Bhatia
No Sign of Weakness — Burna Boy
Éclairer le monde – Light the World — Youssou N’Dour
Mind Explosion (50th Anniversary Tour Live) — Shakti
Chapter III: We Return to Light — Anoushka Shankar
Kendrick Lamar’s landmark anthem “Alright” has officially surpassed 1 billion streams on Spotify, marking another major milestone in the rapper’s decorated career.
With this achievement, Alright becomes Kendrick Lamar’s 13th song to cross the billion-stream mark on the platform, further cementing his status as one of the most influential and consistently streamed artists in modern hip-hop.
Nearly a decade after its release, the song continues to resonate with listeners around the world, proving its lasting cultural and musical impact.
Released in 2015 as part of Kendrick Lamar’s critically acclaimed album To Pimp a Butterfly, Alright quickly grew beyond a standard album track.
Built on Pharrell Williams’ uplifting production and Kendrick’s sharp lyricism, the song delivered a message of perseverance and hope that connected with audiences globally.
Over time, it evolved into a cultural anthem, frequently heard at rallies, public gatherings, and major events, symbolizing resilience in challenging times. Its message that better days lie ahead helped the song live far beyond radio play and charts.
What makes this milestone particularly impressive is the song’s longevity. Unlike many streaming hits that peak quickly and fade, Alright has continued to attract new listeners while remaining a favorite among long-time fans.
The steady growth in streams over the years reflects how the track remains relevant in conversations around music, culture, and social commentary.
Reaching one billion streams nearly ten years after release highlights how Kendrick’s catalog continues to age well in the streaming era.
With Alright joining the list, Kendrick Lamar now boasts 13 songs with over one billion streams on Spotify, placing him among the elite artists with multiple billion-stream records.
Across albums and collaborations, Kendrick has balanced commercial success with artistic depth, a combination that keeps his music replayable years after release.
Tracks like HUMBLE., LOVE., LOYALTY., and other fan favorites continue to pull massive streaming numbers, reinforcing his global reach.
Crossing one billion Spotify streams is now a familiar milestone for Kendrick Lamar, but Alright reaching the mark carries special weight because of what the song represents.
More than just a hit record, it stands as one of the defining songs of the last decade, one that continues to inspire, unite, and move audiences worldwide.
The 57th NAACP Image Awards nominations are officially out, shining a spotlight on the best in film, television, music, literature, and digital content. This year’s list celebrates Black excellence across a variety of creative fields, with fan favorites and rising stars vying for top honors. The ceremony is scheduled for February 28, 2026, airing live on BET with a simulcast on CBS.
Entertainer of the Year
One of the most anticipated categories, Entertainer of the Year, brings together performers who have made significant impact across multiple platforms:
Cynthia Erivo
Doechii
Kendrick Lamar
Michael B. Jordan
Teyana Taylor
Both Kendrick Lamar and Teyana Taylor received six nominations each across different categories, highlighting their dominance in music and film this year.
Television & Streaming
Television continues to shine with shows that blend storytelling, culture, and humor.
Outstanding Comedy Series
Abbott Elementary (ABC)
Harlem (Prime Video)
Survival of the Thickest (Netflix)
The Residence (Netflix)
The Upshaws (Netflix)
Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series
Cedric The Entertainer – The Neighborhood
David Alan Grier – St. Denis Medical
David Oyelowo – Government Cheese
Mike Epps – The Upshaws
Vince Staples – The Vince Staples Show
Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series
Ayo Edebiri – The Bear
Maya Rudolph – Loot
Michelle Buteau – Survival of the Thickest
Quinta Brunson – Abbott Elementary
Uzo Aduba – The Residence
Outstanding Drama Series
Bel‑Air (Peacock) — leading with seven nominations
Abbott Elementary, Reasonable Doubt, Ruth & Boaz — six nominations each
Forever — five nominations
Motion Picture Categories & Nominees
Outstanding Motion Picture
Sinners (Warner Bros. Pictures)
Highest 2 Lowest (A24)
One Of Them Days (Sony Pictures Releasing)
Sarah’s Oil (Amazon MGM Studios)
Wicked: For Good (Universal Pictures)
Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture
André Holland – Love, Brooklyn (Greenwich Entertainment)
Denzel Washington – Highest 2 Lowest (A24)
Michael B. Jordan – Sinners (Warner Bros. Pictures)
Nnamdi Asomugha – The Knife (Relatively Media)
Tyriq Withers – HIM (Monkeypaw Productions)
Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture
Cynthia Erivo – Wicked: For Good (Universal Pictures)
Danielle Deadwyler – 40 Acres (Magnolia Pictures)
Keke Palmer – One Of Them Days (Sony Pictures Releasing)
Kerry Washington – Shadow Force (Lionsgate)
Tessa Thompson – Hedda (Amazon MGM Studios)
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture
A$AP Rocky – Highest 2 Lowest (A24)
Damson Idris – F1 (Apple Original Films)
Delroy Lindo – Sinners (Warner Bros. Pictures)
Jeffrey Wright – Highest 2 Lowest (A24)
Miles Caton – Sinners (Warner Bros. Pictures)
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture
Janelle James – One Of Them Days (Sony Pictures Releasing)
Jayme Lawson – Sinners (Warner Bros. Pictures)
Regina Hall – One Battle After Another (Warner Bros. Pictures)
Teyana Taylor – One Battle After Another (Warner Bros. Pictures)
Wunmi Mosaku – Sinners (Warner Bros. Pictures)
Outstanding Ensemble Cast in a Motion Picture
Sinners — Michael B. Jordan, Hailee Steinfeld, Miles Caton, Jack O’Connell, Wunmi Mosaku, Jayme Lawson, Omar Miller, Buddy Guy, Delroy Lindo, et al. (Warner Bros. Pictures)
One Of Them Days — Keke Palmer, SZA, Vanessa Bell Calloway, Lil Rel Howery, Katt Williams (Sony Pictures Releasing)
Wicked: For Good — Jonathan Bailey, Marissa Bode, Coleman Domingo, Cynthia Erivo, Jeff Goldblum, Ariana Grande, et al. (Universal Pictures)
A House of Dynamite — Idris Elba, Rebecca Ferguson, Gabriel Basso, Jared Harris, Tracy Letts, Anthony Ramos, Moses Ingram, Jonah Hauer‑King, Greta Lee, Jason Clarke (Netflix)
Outstanding Independent Motion Picture
40 Acres (Magnolia Pictures)
Love, Brooklyn (Greenwich Entertainment)
Magazine Dreams (Briarcliff Entertainment)
Opus (A24)
Unexpected Christmas (3 Diamonds Entertainment)
Outstanding International Motion Picture
40 Acres (Magnolia Pictures)
My Father’s Shadow (MUBI)
Souleymane’s Story (Kino Lorber)
The Fisherman (Luu Vision Media)
The Secret Agent (NEON)
Outstanding Animated Motion Picture
Elio (Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures)
KPop Demon Hunters (Netflix)
Sneaks (Briarcliff Entertainment)
The Bad Guys 2 (DreamWorks Animation)
Zootopia 2 (Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures)
Outstanding Character Voice‑Over Performance – Motion Picture
Anthony Mackie – Sneaks
Craig Robinson – The Bad Guys 2
Danielle Brooks – The Bad Guys 2
Lil Rel Howery – Dog Man
Quinta Brunson – Zootopia 2
Outstanding Short Form (Live Action)
ADO (Baylor University)
Before You Let Go (Find Your People Program)
Best Eyes (American Film Institute Conservatory)
Ella (Netflix)
Food for the Soul (P.A. Works)
Outstanding Short Form (Animated)
ASALI: Power of the Pollinators (Upenndo! Productions)
Black Man, Black Man (Chainwheel Productions)
Captain Zero: Into the Abyss Part II (Cutting Edge Animation)
Full Music & Recording Nominees
Outstanding New Artist
Elmiene – Useless Without You (Def Jam Recordings)
Lee Vasi – Love Me To Life (Capitol CMG/Leeda Music Group)
Madison McFerrin – Scorpio (MadMcFerrin Music LLC)
Monaleo – Who Did the Body? (Columbia Records)
Ravyn Lenae – Bicycle Race (Atlantic Records)
Outstanding Male Artist
Bryson Tiller – Solace & The Vices (RCA Records/TrapSoul)
Chris Brown – It Depends feat. Bryson Tiller (RCA Records/Chris Brown Entertainment)
GIVĒON – Beloved (Epic Records)
Kendrick Lamar – luther (pgLang/Interscope)
Leon Thomas – MUTT Deluxe: Heel (EZMNY/Motown Records)
“Ride (Remix)” – Chance the Rapper feat. Do or Die & Twista
“Typa” – GloRilla
Literature Work Categories
Outstanding Literary Work — Fiction
Can’t Get Enough — Kennedy Ryan
Chronicles of Ori: An African Epic — Harmonia Rosales
Death of the Author — Nnedi Okorafor
Happy Land — Dolen Perkins‑Valdez
Harlem Rhapsody — Victoria Christopher Murray
Outstanding Literary Work — Non‑Fiction
A More Perfect Party… — Juanita Tolliver
Born in Flames — Bench Ansfield
From These Roots — Tamara Lanier
Hidden Hospitality… — Calvin Stovall Jr.
I Am Nobody’s Slave — Lee Hawkins
Outstanding Literary Work — Debut Author
American Soul: The Black History of Food… — Anela Malik
Red Clay — Charles B. Fancher
High Functioning… — Dr. Judith Joseph
A Sky Full of Love — Lorna Lewis
History Lessons — Zoe B. Wallbrook
Outstanding Literary Work — Biography/Autobiography
107 Days — Kamala Harris
The Look — Michelle Obama
Toni at Random — Dana A. Williams
Truly — Lionel Richie
Uncommon Favor… — Dawn Staley
Outstanding Literary Work — Instructional
American Soul… — Anela Malik
Braided Heritage… — Dr. Jessica Harris
We the Pizza… — Muhammad Abdul‑Hadi
Who Better Than You? — Will Packer
Wine Pairing for the People — Cha McCoy
Outstanding Literary Work — Poetry
Death of the First Idea — Rickey Laurentiis
Florida Water — Aja Monet
The Grace of Black Mothers — Martheaus Perkins
The Intentions of Thunder — Patricia Smith
We Look Better Alive — Ali Black
Outstanding Literary Work — Children
Black Boy, Rise — Brynne Barnes
Black Diamond Kings — Charles R. Smith Jr.
My Quiet Place — Monica Mikai
The History of We — Nikkolas Smith
Yvonne Clark and Her Engineering Spark — Allen R. Wells (ill. DeAndra Hodge)
Outstanding Literary Work — Youth/Teens
(S)Kin — Ibi Zoboi
Nic Blake and the Remarkables: The Book of Anansi — Angie Thomas
The Scammer — Tiffany D. Jackson
The Story of My Anger — Jasminne Mendez
Through Our Teeth — Pamela N. Harris
Outstanding Literary Work — Graphic Novel
Creaky Acres — Calista Bril
Defiant: The Story of Robert Smalls — Rob Edwards
One Crazy Summer: The Graphic Novel — Rita Williams‑Garcia
Parable of the Talents (Graphic Novel) — Octavia E. Butler (adapted)
They Choose Violence — Sheldon Allen
Outstanding Literary Work — Journalism(New Category)
As Black New Yorkers Move Out, N.Y.C. Politics May Be Reshaped — Maya King
Audra McDonald Took The Stage and Rewrote The Rules — Adam Davenport
Black joy and boots: How line dancing is fanning cultural connection — Lisa Respers France
HBCUs Reel as Trump Cuts Black‑Focused Grants — Jasper Smith
On Borrowed Time — Anissa Durham
Digital Content Creator Categories
These categories honor creators across platforms like TikTok, Instagram and YouTube:
Outstanding Digital Content Creator — Art/Comedy
Darren Watkins Jr. (@IShowSpeed)
Jordan Howlett (@jordan_the_stallion8)
Joshua Neal (@joshuadneal)
Lou Young (@Louuuyoung)
Tee Sanders (@teesanderscomedy)
Outstanding Digital Content Creator — Political/Culture
Elizabeth Booker Houston (@bookersquared)
Garrison Hayes (@garrisonh)
George Lee Jr. (@theconsciouslee)
Joshua Doss (@doss.discourse)
Lynae Vanee (@lynaevanee)
Outstanding Digital Content Creator — Fashion/Beauty
Allyiah Gainer (@allyiahsface)
De’arra Taylor (@dearra)
Eni Popoola (@enigivensunday)
Jackie Asamoah (@jackieaina)
Wisdom Kaye (@wisdm)
Outstanding Digital Content Creator — Gaming/Tech
Berlin Edmonds (@Berleezy)
Cory Kenshin (@CoryxKenshin)
Gerard Williams (@Hiphopgamer)
Jay Ann Lopez (@blackgirlgamers)
Khleo Thomas (@khleothomas)
Outstanding Digital Content Creator — Fitness/Wellness/Food
Alex Hill (@justaddhotsauce)
Jeanette Jenkins (@msjeanettejenkins)
Keith Lee (@Keith_Lee125)
Kimberly Villalobos (@KimmysKreations.1)
Massy Arias (@Massy.arias)
Public Voting & Ceremony
Fans can vote in select categories through February 7, 2026 at NAACPImageAwards.net. Winners will be announced during the live ceremony on February 28, 2026.
The 2026 NAACP Image Awards showcase the best in Black creativity and culture. From Sinners dominating film categories to TV hits like Bel‑Air, and music legends Kendrick Lamar and Teyana Taylor leading the recording scene, this year’s nominations reflect cultural impact, artistic excellence, and creative innovation across all entertainment fields.
J. Cole takes the mature route after dissing Kendrick Lamar on his freestyle, 7 Minute Drill, explaining how terrible the diss track made him feel.
Last month, the world witnessed Kendrick Lamar’s rage in his feature on Metro Booming and Future‘s ‘Like That,’ the song featured on their joint album WE DON’T TRUST YOU. After the album dropped, rap fans knew the divide it would cause in the game, so they began to compare the diss to Captain America’s Civil Wars.
The beef between Drake and Kendrick has always been a few jabs with no actual harm but recently on Drake’s First Person Shooter J. Cole referred to himself, Kendrick and J. Cole as the big three – unfortunately that didn’t sit well with Kendrick. How did Kendrick Lamar reply, with this:
Motherfuck the big three, nigga, it’s just big me Nigga, bum, what? I’m really like that And your best work is a light pack Nigga, Prince outlived Mike Jack’ Nigga, bum, ’fore all your dogs gettin’ buried That’s a K with all these nines, he gon’ see Pet Sematary Nigga, bum
J Cole took offence to the jab by Kendrick and decided to release a surprise album titled ‘Might Delete Later.’ On this album, J Cole had something to say to Kendrick, calling it a warning shot.
“I got a phone call, they say that somebody dissing/ You want some attention, it comes with extensions,”
Realizing what he had done, J. Cole took the mature approach by apologising for the beef. During his show at the DreamvilleFestival, Cole called his response “lame” and “goofy.”
“I am so proud of that project except for one part. It’s one part of that shit that makes me feel like that’s one of the lamest shit I have did in my fucking life,” Cole said.
“I was conflicted because I know my heart and I know the two rappers I have been blessed to stand beside…I won’t lie to you all, I moved in a way I feel spiritually bad…I try to keep it friendly but at the end of the day when I listen to it and when I see the talk, that shit doesn’t sit well with me and it disrupts my spirit.”
J. Cole apologizes to Kendrick Lamar for dissing him on ‘7 Minute Drill’ at Dreamville Fest…
“How many of y’all think Kendrick Lamar is one of the greatest ever to pick up a mic”
“I haven’t been sleeping right the last few days… Ib, we taking that diss off streaming… https://t.co/gafW1g6Hw9
