Kendrick Lamar Named Billboard’s Top R&B/Hip-Hop Artist of the Year
Billboard has named Kendrick Lamar the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Artist of the Year, marking the first time he has received the honor. The ranking is based on activity from the weekly Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs charts dated October 26, 2024, through October 18, 2025. Although Lamar did not release a new album in 2025, his 2024 project, GNX, continued to dominate the charts throughout the year.
GNX debuted at No. 1 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart dated December 7, 2024, and spent seven weeks at the top. The only week it fell outside the top 10 was October 11, 2025.
Lamar also dominated the singles charts with several hits, including the top track, his collaboration with SZA, “luther.” Other top-performing songs included “TV Off,” “Not Like Us,” and “Squabble Up,” while “Peekaboo” held the ninth spot on the list.
In promotion of GNX, Lamar and SZA launched the Grand National Tour in April 2025. The tour has been a commercial and critical success, breaking multiple records and featuring guest appearances from AZ Chike, Baby Keem, Doja Cat, Justin Bieber, Kaytranada, Lizzo, and Playboi Carti.
The pair also performed together at the Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show, where Lamar included shots at Drake, highlighting the ongoing rivalry between the two. Their set included “Not Like Us,” “Luther,” “TV Off,” and other hits from GNX.
Despite GNX’s dominance, it ended 2025 at No. 2 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. SZA’s SOS reclaimed the top spot, boosted by the release of its deluxe edition, SOS Deluxe: LANA. SOS had previously been the top project in 2023.
Kendrick Lamar’s continued chart success and high-profile performances cemented his position as the top R&B/Hip-Hop artist of the year, reflecting both his impact on streaming and his influence on live audiences.
