What you need to know
Kendrick Lamar has set a new record at the 2026 Grammy Awards, becoming the most decorated rapper of all time with 27 wins, surpassing Jay-Z’s previous record of 25.
The 38-year-old accepted GNX’s Best Rap Album award at the beginning of the awards ceremony on Sunday, February 2nd. During a subsequent broadcast, he also won the Record of the Year award for “Luther” featuring SZA.
“I’m not good at talking about myself, but I express it through music,” Lamar said in his acceptance speech. “It’s an honor to be here.”
He also praised the other candidates. “That’s Tyler (The Creator) and Clipse. It’s my brother who falls into this category. What a push guy, Malice guy. Every time I say this, hip-hop will always be here. We’re going to suit up. We’re going to look good. We’re going to be with our guys. We’re going to have our culture together.”
Lamar concluded, “So I thank you all. Glory to God. Love you all.”
Read PEOPLE’s full coverage of the Grammys here.
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This year, Lamar led the nominations with nine nominations, followed by Lady Gaga and producers Cirkat and Jack Antonoff, each with seven nominations. Bad Bunny, Leon Thomas and Sabrina Carpenter each scored six points.
Earlier in the night, Lamar won Best Rap Performance for “Chains & Whips,” a song he performed with Clipse, Pusha T & Malis and Pharrell Williams. Best Melodic Rap Performance for “Luther”; and Best Rap Song for “TV Off”.
GNX was also nominated for Album of the Year. The winner was Bad Bunny’s DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS.
In 2025, Lamar also won Song of the Year, Record of the Year, Rap Performance of the Year, Rap Song of the Year, and Music Video of the Year for his performance of “Not Like Us” during the historic Super Bowl halftime show. Lamar was the first solo rap artist to headline the show, which featured special guest SZA.
The Grammy Awards will be broadcast live on CBS from the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles or streamed live and on-demand on Paramount+.
