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Kendrick Lamar is in no rush to remind anyone where he stands. The Compton rapper, who’s spent most of 2025 out of the spotlight after dominating headlines for the last year or so, quietly secured another milestone on Sunday (Sept. 7). At the Creative Arts Emmys, Lamar and music director Tony Russell earned the award for Outstanding Music Direction for The Apple Music Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show Starring Kendrick Lamar.
It’s his second Primetime Emmy, following the history-making Pepsi Super Bowl LVI Halftime Show with Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Mary J. Blige, and 50 Cent in 2022. But this time, Lamar’s show stood entirely on its own—and the impact was undeniable. The performance drew 133.5 million viewers, topping Usher’s 2024 presentation and even outpacing the game itself. Digitally, it reached billions: 3.65 billion global views across platforms, including a record-breaking TikTok clip that surpassed 100 million views.
Kendrick wasn’t done racking up trophies on Sunday night after ‘Not Like Us’ took home the Video Music Award for Best Cinematography.
Even while he’s been selective about public appearances, Lamar’s influence continues to cut through. On August 23, Kendrick surprised fans in Los Angeles by joining Clipse on stage for a live debut of their track “Chains & Whips.” The moment, described by fans as “electric,” became an instant highlight of the summer.
With his chart streak intact—Bars notes he’s the only rapper to appear on the Hot 100 every week of 2025—Dot’s career momentum seems unstoppable. And yet, he remains grounded, keeping a low profile as he readies the next leg of his Grand National World Tour, set to resume in Mexico City on Sept. 23.
For Kendrick Lamar, the balance between public spectacle and personal quiet has become its own kind of artistry.
