Summary
- Kendrick Lamar has officially surpassed JAY-Z to become the rapper with the most GRAMMY wins of all time
- The historic milestone was reached during the 2026 ceremony following a sweep of major rap categories
- Lamar’s latest studio effort GNX and the hit single “luther” secured his place at the top of the Recording Academy’s record books
Kendrick Lamar has made history at the 68th Annual GRAMMY Awards, officially becoming the most awarded rapper in the history of the Recording Academy. Entering the night with nine nominations, the Compton visionary secured the necessary wins to surpass the previous record of 25 trophies held by JAY-Z. The achievement solidifies Lamar’s standing as the definitive voice of his generation, further punctuated by his dominant performance across the rap and melodic categories during this year’s telecast.
The record-breaking evening was fueled by the critical and commercial success of Lamar’s 2024 album, GNX. During the 2026 ceremony at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, Lamar picked up early hardware during the premiere ceremony, including Best Melodic Rap Performance for the SZA-assisted “luther” and Best Rap Performance for his contribution to “Chains & Whips” alongside Clipse and Pharrell Williams. His momentum carried into the main telecast, where he took home the trophy for Best Rap Album.
In his acceptance speech, Lamar remained characteristically humble, emphasizing his dedication to the craft and the cultural impact of hip-hop. The rapper noted that his primary focus remains the music rather than the accolades, though the industry’s recognition reflects his unmatched consistency over the last decade. By reaching a career total of 26 Grammys, Lamar has not only bypassed JAY-Z but also moved further ahead of Ye, who currently holds 24 awards.
