Kendrick Lamar Could Make History at the 2025 Grammys

Kendrick Lamar has already cemented his place as one of the most influential artists in hip-hop history, and the 2025 Grammy Awards could be another chapter in his legendary career. The Compton rap icon enters the prestigious ceremony with seven nominations across five categories, making him one of the top contenders this year, behind only Beyoncé and Charli XCX in total nods. With this year’s Grammy Awards set to take place on Sunday, February 2, at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, Lamar is poised to achieve more milestones that could push him further into music history.

Among his nominations, Kendrick has two of the coveted “Big Four” categories, Record of the Year and Song of the Year, for his explosive Drake diss track “Not Like Us.” This is no small feat, as diss tracks in the rap world are often overlooked in mainstream awards. However, Kendrick’s track, with its scathing lyrics aimed at Drake, is seen as a serious contender. Not only is it a lyrical masterpiece, but its cultural impact was undeniable in 2024.

In addition to the Big Four categories, Kendrick’s “Not Like Us” and his collaboration with Future and Metro Boomin, “Like That,” are both up for Best Rap Song and Best Rap Performance. The former track also earned a nomination for Best Music Video, adding to its growing list of accolades. If “Not Like Us” wins any of its nominated categories, it will make history as the first-ever diss song to win a Grammy.

Breaking Barriers for Diss Tracks

The history of diss tracks at the Grammys has been a rocky one. Drake’s 2015 diss track “Back to Back,” aimed at Meek Mill, was the first full-fledged diss song to be nominated for a Grammy. However, it lost to Kendrick’s “Alright” in the Best Rap Performance category. Eminem’s “Without Me” also earned Grammy nods in 2003, but it wasn’t a direct diss in a rap beef context.

While Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” might have started as a rap feud response, it quickly became one of 2024’s most talked-about songs. It hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100, set streaming records, and became a strong contender for “Song of the Summer.” Its success even led to Kendrick being chosen as the headliner for the Super Bowl halftime show, further cementing his place in music history. Drake, on the other hand, filed a lawsuit against Universal Music Group, accusing them of defamation and harassment over the song’s release and promotion.

Can Kendrick Win the Big Four?

While Kendrick’s chances are strong in the Best Rap categories, the battle becomes more intense in the Song of the Year and Record of the Year races. Kendrick’s “Not Like Us” faces stiff competition from pop powerhouses like Beyoncé’s “Texas Hold ‘Em,” Billie Eilish’s “Birds of a Feather,” and Sabrina Carpenter’s “Espresso.” However, if Kendrick wins either of these categories, he will become only the second rapper ever to claim both Song of the Year and Record of the Year, following Childish Gambino’s historic win for “This Is America” in 2019.

Closing In on More Grammy Milestones

Kendrick is already within reach of surpassing Jay-Z and Kanye West for the most Grammy wins by a rapper. The two icons currently hold 24 Grammy Awards each, while Kendrick, with 17 wins, could potentially reach 22 with a sweep of his nominations at this year’s ceremony. This would place him on the verge of breaking records in a career that began less than a decade ago.

It’s also worth noting that Kendrick’s Grammy journey hasn’t always been smooth. In 2014, his album good kid, m.A.A.d city was snubbed for Best Rap Album in favor of Macklemore & Ryan Lewis’ The Heist, a controversial decision that led Macklemore to publicly apologize. Despite this, Kendrick’s consistency, innovation, and impact on the genre have made him a Grammy favorite.

A Historic 2025 for Kendrick Lamar

With Not Like Us dominating the airwaves and his Super Bowl halftime show gig just around the corner, 2025 is shaping up to be one of the most historic years in Kendrick Lamar’s already storied career. A big night at the Grammys would only add to his growing legacy, further solidifying his place as one of the best to ever do it in hip-hop. Whether or not he walks away with all seven awards, Kendrick has already proven that his impact on music is far from over.

The 2025 Grammys are poised to be an unforgettable night for Kendrick Lamar, and fans can’t wait to see what history he’ll make next.