Kendrick Lamar just opened his mouth and ascended over Jay-Z on Sunday evening (February 1) at the 68th Grammy Awards to become the rapper with the most Grammy wins ever.
Lamar entered the awards trailing Jay-Z, who has 25 wins. Four victories later, the Compton rap star ended the evening with a total of 26, setting a new standard for rap excellence on music’s biggest stage. Lamar led the nominations with 9.
Lamar’s sweep showcased his range and staying power. He won Best Rap Album for GNX, reaffirming his reputation as a meticulous album artist.
“tv off” earned Best Rap Song, while “luther,” his collaboration with SZA, took Best Melodic Rap Performance. He also claimed Best Rap Performance for his feature on “Chains & Whips.” The wins highlighted his command as a lyricist, collaborator, and performer in one evening.
The moment carried significance beyond the numbers. Lamar arrived with nine nominations, opening the door to additional history.
Kendrick Lamar Oversteps Jay-Z As The Rapper With The Most Grammy Wins After The 68th Grammy Awards
A win for Album of the Year would have made him the first solo male rapper to claim the honor. That award instead went to Bad Bunny, whose Debí Tirar Más Fotos became the first all-Spanish-language album to win the category, marking a landmark moment of its own.
Other records briefly came into focus. Lamar had a path toward matching the record for most Grammys won in a single night, eight, held by Michael Jackson and Santana. That possibility ended when Best Pop Duo/Group Performance went to another artist.
The ceiling remained. Still, the night shifted the conversation.
What continues to define Lamar’s career is consistency. He has earned at least one Grammy in three of the past four years.
Five of his wins came in 2025 alone. His approach favors intention over urgency, with releases that arrive on his terms and ripple through culture.
Hip-hop has long debated greatness across generations and styles. At the 68th Grammy Awards, the numbers delivered a clear message. Kendrick Lamar did more than pass Jay-Z.
He widened the space between achievement and legacy, reinforcing his place in music history.
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