Kendrick Lamar’s streak of domination at award shows took an unexpected turn at this year’s American Music Awards.
Although he didn’t walk away empty-handed, winning Favorite Hip Hop Song for his Drake diss track “Not Like Us”, the rap superstar was shut out in all the major categories. His night was full of surprises, shaking up the usual expectations for one of hip hop’s biggest names.
Lamar was nominated for six awards in total, including some of the most prestigious: Artist of the Year, Album of the Year, and Song of the Year. But it was Billie Eilish who swept all three, stealing the spotlight from Kendrick in a big way. The surprises didn’t stop there. Eminem also shocked fans by winning both Favorite Hip Hop Artist and Favorite Hip Hop Album, beating Kendrick in two key categories where many expected Lamar to come out on top.
In addition, Kendrick had a shot at Collaboration of the Year alongside SZA, but the award went to Bruno Mars and Lady Gaga for their smash hit “Die With A Smile.” That same song also won Favorite Music Video, edging out Kendrick’s “Not Like Us.” Though these losses stung, they didn’t stop Lamar’s momentum or impact on the industry.
His Grand National Tour continues to crush records. A recent stop in Seattle brought in a staggering $14.8 million, setting a new all-time high for a rap concert. Nearly 61,000 fans showed up, making it the most attended performance on the tour so far. This performance outdid Kendrick’s own previous record from the Dallas AT&T Stadium show, which pulled in $11.8 million. That Dallas show had already made him the highest-grossing Black artist in history for a single live event, surpassing The Weeknd’s 2022 SoFi Stadium record of $9.8 million.
While the American Music Awards didn’t hand Kendrick Lamar all the trophies, his achievements elsewhere speak volumes. His track “Not Like Us” recently made history by becoming the first rap song ever to spend a full year on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. This milestone underlines Kendrick’s lasting influence on music charts, regardless of award night outcomes.
At the ceremony, Kendrick’s near misses with major awards contrasted sharply with his unmatched success on tour and charts. The American Music Awards losses might have been surprising, but they hardly slow down his dominance in hip hop and live music. Even with these setbacks, Kendrick’s legacy is growing bigger by the day.
From the horse-drawn carriage arrivals to the star-studded crowd watching his speech, every moment at the AMAs underscored the shifting dynamics of today’s music scene. But no matter what awards he wins or loses, Kendrick Lamar continues to prove he’s a force to be reckoned with.
Mia Brooks dives deep into the beats and rhythms of the music industry, covering everything from chart-topping albums to underground artists. With a passion for discovering new talent and exploring the stories behind the songs, Mia keeps readers updated on all things music.
