Kendrick Lamar Secures First ‘Record of the Year’ Grammy After Decade-Long Wait

Kendrick Lamar has won his first ‘Record of the Year’ Grammy for “Not Like Us,” marking a significant milestone after years of critical acclaim and previous snubs by the Recording Academy.

The win, announced today, November 7, 2025, comes a decade after his landmark album To Pimp A Butterfly was overlooked for ‘Album of the Year,’ losing to Taylor Swift’s 1989 – a decision widely debated as a symptom of the ceremony’s historical bias against rap music. Lamar’s previous Grammy wins have largely been concentrated in rap categories, with only one ‘Best Song’ award to his name for “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)” in 2010.

Historically, only a select group of artists have achieved multiple ‘Record of the Year’ wins, including Billie Eilish, Adele, U2, Eric Clapton, Bette Midler, Roberta Flack, and Barbara Streisand, who share the lead. Beyoncé currently holds the overall record for the most Grammy wins, but has only one ‘Best Song’ award. This win for Lamar is particularly noteworthy given the ongoing conversation surrounding representation and recognition within the music industry, as explored in analyses of Grammy snubs and biases.

The Recording Academy has faced increasing scrutiny over its voting processes and perceived lack of diversity in recent years, prompting calls for greater inclusivity and a more accurate reflection of musical merit. Officials stated they are committed to ongoing evaluation of the nomination and voting procedures.