Kendrick Lamar’s American Music Awards Streak Ends Amid Historic Year of Achievements
Kendrick Lamar’s winning streak at the American Music Awards has finally come to an end. While the Compton rapper did take home a trophy for Favorite Hip Hop Song with “Not Like Us,” he was otherwise shut out despite receiving six nominations. His losses included Artist of the Year, where Billie Eilish emerged victorious, along with Album of the Year and Song of the Year, which also went to Eilish.
The surprises didn’t stop there. Eminem won both Favorite Hip Hop Artist and Favorite Hip Hop Album, beating Lamar in both categories. Additionally, the Collaboration of the Year award went to Bruno Mars and Lady Gaga for their hit “Die With A Smile,” a category where Lamar and SZA were also nominated. That same track went on to beat “Not Like Us” again, this time for Favorite Music Video.
Despite the AMA setbacks, Lamar continues to dominate in nearly every other aspect of his career. His Grand National Tour has broken multiple records, including a staggering $14.8 million gross from a Seattle performance alongside SZA. That show attracted nearly 61,000 fans, making it the most attended stop of the tour and the highest-grossing rap concert in history. The feat broke Lamar’s previous record, set at AT&T Stadium in Dallas, which brought in $11.8 million in a single night.
The rapper now holds the title for the highest-grossing live performance by a Black male artist, surpassing The Weeknd’s $9.8 million SoFi Stadium show in 2022. The tour’s opening night in Minneapolis brought in over $9.1 million with more than 47,000 fans in attendance, setting the tone for a historic run.
In addition to his live performance achievements, Kendrick is also rewriting the record books on the charts. His hit single “Not Like Us” has become the first rap song in history to spend a full year on the Billboard Hot 100, cementing its place as one of the genre’s most enduring hits.
Although the American Music Awards didn’t unfold in his favor this year, Kendrick Lamar’s continued dominance in touring, chart performance, and cultural impact proves that his influence is still growing. As the year progresses, all signs suggest that his momentum will only continue to build.
