Kendrick Lamar breaks Grammy record with 27th win

DAR ES SALAAM: KENDRICK Lamar has once again made history at the Grammy Awards. The American rapper cemented his status as one of hip hop’s most important figures at the 68th Grammys, becoming the most decorated rapper in the award’s history.

The ceremony took place in the early hours of 2 February 2026 at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. Lamar won five awards on the night, taking his total Grammy count to 27 and surpassing Jay-Z’s previous record of 25.

Lamar entered the ceremony with nine nominations, the most of any rapper this year. By the end of the night, he had claimed Best Rap Album for GNX, Best Rap Song, Best Melodic Rap Performance, Best Rap Performance (with Clipse), and Record of the Year.

These wins not only reflected his continued artistic success but also reinforced his influence on hip hop culture. His Record of the Year victory was particularly significant, making him the first rapper to win the award in two consecutive years, following his win in 2025. Lamar’s career has been defined by lyrical depth, social commentary and musical experimentation.

Albums such as good kid, m.A.A.d city, To Pimp a Butterfly, DAMN., and GNX have consistently pushed the genre forward while remaining rooted in hip hop traditions. As he accepted the Record of the Year award, the arena responded with a standing ovation.

Fellow artists acknowledged not just the win, but the impact of his work over more than a decade. In his speech, Lamar focused on the culture rather than personal achievement. He praised his fellow nominees and highlighted the lasting strength of hip hop.

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“I don’t feel like I’m very good at bragging,” he said.

“I express everything through music. I’ve said it again and again, hip hop is here to stay. We’ll be here, dressed well, standing with our people and our culture.” The moment was widely praised online, with many fans describing it as a win for hip hop as a whole.

Music analysts pointed to Lamar’s consistency and commitment to storytelling as key reasons for his continued success. His collaboration with Clipse, which won Best Rap Performance, was also noted for connecting different eras of hip hop through lyricism and production.

As the 68th Grammy Awards came to a close, one thing was clear: Kendrick Lamar now stands alone among rappers in Grammy history.

With 27 awards, consecutive Record of the Year wins and a career that continues to evolve, his influence shows no sign of fading.