Kendrick Lamar Surpasses 50 Billion Spotify Streams
Kendrick Lamar has officially passed 50 billion total streams on Spotify. He is the 14th artist in history to achieve this and only the fifth rapper. The others are Travis Scott, Eminem, Kanye West, and Drake.
Lamar stands out among this group. He reached the milestone with just 251 credited songs. That is the fewest of any rapper on the list and the third fewest overall. Earlier this month, his 2017 album Damn alone surpassed 10 billion streams, adding momentum to his total.
Over his career, Lamar has released six studio albums: Section.80, Good Kid, M.A.A.D City, To Pimp a Butterfly, Damn, Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers, and GNX. His most streamed tracks on Spotify include “luther,” “All The Stars,” “Not Like Us,” and “Money Trees.”
The milestone comes during heightened tension with Drake. The Toronto rapper is pursuing legal action against Universal Music Group. He claims UMG boosted the popularity of “Not Like Us” through hidden promotional tactics. The track contains pointed attacks, including the line, “Certified Lover Boy? Certified pedophiles… Why you trollin’ like a b*tch? Ain’t you tired? / Tryna strike a chord and it’s probably A minor.”
The dispute follows months of lyrical exchanges between the two artists. Their rivalry has become one of hip-hop’s most closely watched feuds in recent years.
Lamar is also in the middle of his Grand National Tour. He has been performing alongside SZA as a co-headliner. After a show in Stockholm, Sweden on August 9, the tour is on a short break. It will continue in Mexico City on September 23. Additional dates include stops in Brazil, Colombia, Argentina, Chile, and Australia.
Kendrick Lamar’s rise to 50 billion streams highlights both his enduring influence and the scale of his fanbase. Few artists have reached the same level with such a limited number of songs.
