Kendrick Lamar entered the BET Awards last night with 10 nominations across six categories, and expectations were high that the Compton rapper would walk away with some major wins. As it turned out, Lamar delivered yet another dominant showing, reinforcing his place at the top of the hip hop world.
One of the few categories featured on the live broadcast was Album of the Year. Lamar was nominated for GNX, one of 2024’s most acclaimed albums, and it came as no surprise when he took home the trophy. Adding humor to the moment, host Kevin Hart presented Kendrick with four additional trophies as part of a running gag — a playful nod to Lamar’s consistent sweep at award shows.
In a case of art imitating life, Lamar did in fact win another four BET Awards throughout the evening, bringing his total haul to five. Though not all of these awards were televised, they certainly hold significant meaning. He claimed Video of the Year for Not Like Us, Best Collaboration for Luther with SZA, Best Male Hip Hop Artist, and Best Video Director, which he shared with longtime collaborator Dave Free.
Lamar was also a triple nominee in the Viewer’s Choice category, though that honor ultimately went to Chris Brown for Residuals. Brown himself enjoyed a strong night, taking home multiple awards across different categories.
When Kendrick took the stage to accept Album of the Year, he delivered an inspiring speech, thanking BET for its commitment to hip hop and Black culture. He also gave heartfelt thanks to SZA for her continued creative partnership over the past year. In classic Kendrick fashion, he used the moment to give a shout-out to their ongoing Grand National Tour, inviting fans to come experience the show live.
This latest awards sweep is further proof that Kendrick Lamar remains in a league of his own. The past 13 months have been a whirlwind, from his headline-making feud with Drake to the sustained success of GNX. Yet through it all, Lamar continues to evolve as an artist and performer.
Fans are now left wondering what’s next for the hip hop icon. There’s growing hope that Kendrick might drop another album in 2025, though expectations are already sky-high. Regardless of what’s on the horizon, one thing is clear — Kendrick Lamar is still setting the standard, and the world is watching.
