Kendrick Lamar Sweeps the 2025 GRAMMYs with “Not Like Us”

Kendrick Lamar dominated the 2025 GRAMMY Awards with his record-breaking single “Not Like Us“, taking home five awards, including Record of the Year and Song of the Year, making history as the first diss track ever to win in these prestigious categories. The fiery single, known for dismantling Lamar’s opponent in hip-hop’s most talked-about feud, also claimed three additional awards in the rap categories: Best Rap Song, Best Rap Performance, and Best Music Video.

The night was a major victory not only for Lamar but also for hip-hop as a genre. With “Not Like Us” becoming one of only two hip-hop songs in history to win Record of the Year, and Beyoncé securing her long-awaited Album of the Year win for Cowboy Carter, Black artists swept the GRAMMYs’ three biggest categories in a historic achievement.

Kendrick Lamar’s win comes amidst long-standing debates about the GRAMMYs’ relationship with hip-hop and Black artists. His back-to-back victories for Record of the Year and Song of the Year were both triumphant and, for many, inevitable. The track’s cultural impact, sharp lyricism, and undeniable artistry stood out in a year full of exceptional music. The fact that “Not Like Us” is a diss track made its victory even more unprecedented.

“At the end of the day, nothing is more powerful than rap music. We are the culture—it’s gonna always stay here and live forever.” His speech for Song of the Year emphasized the importance of storytelling in rap, calling it a vehicle for truth and cultural expression.

The win for “Not Like Us” undoubtedly carries extra weight given the track’s origins as a diss aimed at Lamar’s opponent in one of hip-hop’s most public feuds. While the GRAMMYs have historically avoided controversy, the committee’s decision to honor Lamar’s track suggests a shift toward recognizing the artistry and cultural significance of rap battles within the genre.

The 2025 GRAMMYs will be remembered as a historic night for Black artists across genres. Beyoncé’s long-overdue win for Album of the Year with Cowboy Carter and Lamar’s groundbreaking sweep with “Not Like Us” highlight the power and influence of Black artistry in shaping the global music landscape.

Kendrick Lamar’s triumph at the GRAMMYs not only solidifies his place as one of hip-hop’s greatest artists but also marks a turning point for the recognition of rap music on the world’s biggest stage.