Kendrick Lamar’s Grammy Wins: Verified Totals and Context
Kendrick Lamar has won 17 competitive Grammy Awards as of the most recent Grammy ceremonies, making him one of the most awarded artists of his generation. These 17 wins span album, song, and performance categories and include landmark albums and singles that defined alternative and mainstream rap in the 2010s and 2020s. Below, we break down the exact counts by category, compare them to his total nominations, and explain what they mean for his legacy.
Verified Grammy Totals at a Glance
As of the 2024 Grammy season, Kendrick Lamar’s competitive Grammy record is summarized below. The table reflects wins and nominations reported by official sources and major music databases.
| Category | Wins | Total Nominations | Notable Wins |
|---|---|---|---|
| Record of the Year | 0 | 3 | Nominated for 'Humble.' (2018), 'Alright' (2016), 'Control' (2014) |
| Album of the Year | 0 | 3 | Nominated for 'To Pimp a Butterfly' (2016), 'Damn.' (2018), 'Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers' (2022) |
| Song of the Year | 0 | 3 | Nominated for 'Humble.' (2018), 'Alright' (2016), 'Poetic Justice' (2013) |
| Best Rap Album | 2 | 5 | Won for 'good kid, m.A.A.d city' (2014), 'Damn.' (2018) |
| Best Rap Performance / Best Rap Song | 5 | 8 | Wins include 'Poetic Justice' (2013), 'King Kunta' (2016), 'Humble.' (2018) |
| Best Music Video | 3 | 4 | Wins for 'i', 'Alright', 'This Is America' (shared credit) |
| Other featured/multicultural wins | 4 | 5 | Gospel/Contemporary Jazz collaborations and spoken projects |
| Total | 17 47 Career Highlights
He has not won Album of the Year, Record of the Year, or Song of the Year, which means the bulk of his Grammy recognition are in rap- and visual-focused categories.
Breakdown by Era and Album
'Section.80' and 'Good Kid, M.A.A.D City' (2011–2014)
'good kid, m.A.A.d city' marked Kendrick’s first major Grammy haul, earning Best Rap Album in 2014 along with early nominations for 'Poetic Justice' and 'Bitch, Don’t Kill My Vibe'. This moment established him as a mainstream critical favorite.
'To Pimp a Butterfly' and 'Alright' (2015–2016)
Though not winning the top album prize at the Grammys, 'To Pimp a Butterfly' received wide nominations, while 'Alright' became an anthem that led to multiple Song of the Year and Best Rap Song nods. The song’s impact extended well beyond trophies.
'Damn.' (2017–2019)
With 'Damn.', Kendrick secured his second Best Rap Album Grammy and added wins for 'Humble.' (Best Rap Performance, Best Rap Song, and Best Music Video), cementing a peak period of Grammy success.
'Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers' and Recent Work (2022–2024)
His most recent album continued to draw nominations, including Album of the Year and Record of the Year nods, but did not convert into competitive wins, reflecting evolving voting patterns and genre representations.
Nominations vs Wins: What the Gap Means
With 47 total nominations and 17 wins, Kendrick holds a strong conversion rate compared to many peers, though high-profile near-misses keep him on the outside of certain career milestones. The difference between nominations and wins underscores how genre representation and category positioning influence outcomes.
- 17 competitive Grammy wins across all categories
- 47 total nominations as of 2024
- 2 wins for Best Rap Album ('good kid, m.A.A.d city', 'Damn.')
- 5 wins for Best Rap Performance / Best Rap Song
- 3 wins for Best Music Video
Legacy and Industry Perception
Among critics and peers, Kendrick is widely regarded as one of the most important voices in modern music. His Grammy totals are frequently cited in debates about all-time greats, yet the lack of top-tier genre or general field wins means conversations about legacy often weigh impact against institutional recognition.
For fans and analysts, the narrative around his Grammys is less about the raw number and more about which milestones were recognized and which remain out of reach, making his award trajectory a useful lens for understanding the politics of taste in popular music.
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