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It was another big night for rap star Kendrick Lamar at the 68th annual Grammy Awards on Sunday (February 1). The Compton native collected five awards on the night, including:
- Record of the Year: “Luther” (with SZA)
- Best Rap Album: GNX
- Best Rap Song: “tv off.”
- Best Melodic Rap Performance: “Luther” (with SZA)
- Best Rap Performance: “Chains & Whips” (with The Clipse, Pharrell)
Kendrick Surpasses Jay-Z’s Grammy Record
Lamar’s clean-up at this year’s awards was historic. His five wins brought his award total to 27. Surpassing rap legend Jay-Z, who previously held the record with 26 wins.
Fans on social media reacted to Kendrick officially becoming the new Grammy king.
“The crown officially belongs to Kendrick,” one user wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.
“Kendrick’s evolution is unmatched, from lyrics to accolades,” a second user added.
“My first experience of Kendrick is on poetic justice, and man, it has been a ride ever since. Congratulations Champ. The best rapper to ever live,” a third user chimed in.
Kendrick Lamar breaks Jay-Z’s record and officially becomes the most awarded rapper in #GRAMMYs history. pic.twitter.com/5OClHbzmrM
— Pop Base (@PopBase) February 2, 2026
Punch Reveals Advice HOV Gave to K.Dot
It has been some ride for Dot. He has put out classic project after classic project to put himself among the greats. However, his 2015 studio album To Pimp a Butterfly is widely regarded as the one that catapulted him to superstardom.
During a recent interview, TDE president Terrence “Punch” Thornton revealed that there were initial concerns about the project. Particularly, how it would be received by Kendrick’s fanbase. But Punch said it was Jay-Z’s advice that pushed them to move forward with the project. Which ultimately changed the trajectory of K.Dot’s career.
“While we were working on To Pimp a Butterfly, and SZA would go to Beyoncé’s sessions — [SZA] was writing for her. JAY-Z was there every night, so I had a chance to talk to him, and I told him, ‘Yo, we’re about to drop this album that’s gonna piss off the whole fanbase,’” Punch said during a recent sit-down with Elise Not Elise.
“His response was, ‘Good, do it now so they can’t ever put you in a box.’ That stuck with me, for sure. It gave me more confidence, like, Yeah, we’re on the right track, for sure … There are rules that are set, but geniuses know when to break those rules.”
