Kendrick Lamar walked away this year with a whopping five Grammys. In hip-hop music culture, winning a Grammy is one of the biggest flexes that artists are heard paying tribute to in their music. Bar after bar, endless hours in the recording studios, you hear lyrics grazed with a list of how many Grammys one may have received. Essentially, artists hold it over the heads of their peers in the community.
Culture was the word this year. Kendrick made very impactful points in both of his speeches. However, one that stood out was his message to the community. In addition to recognizing the OG’s in the music industry that have assisted in his career, he pays his respects to the art form itself. He also advises us to do the same.
#RespectTheArtForm
(We will dive deeper).
While there are thousands of artists who could argue that a Grammy means essentially nothing in the industry, it is indeed an accomplishment that cannot go unnoticed. Whether you are a successful artist in the underground, or in the mainstream, recognition is how your message gets spread like a virus, in the best way.
Especially, cultural recognition.
Kendrick has the opportunity to continue to spread his message to this industry. He heads home smiling from cheek to cheek, with a handful of Grammys in his arms.
Kendrick Lamar Wins Record Of The Year
At the awards ceremony, presented by Miley Cyrus, she calls up Kendrick Lamar to receive his award for Record of the Year. Kendrick Lamar, dressed in all denim and a very large chain, gives his thanks to Miley. He says hello to the audience with a huge grin, gives praise to The Most High, and pays his respect to his great Auntie Sharon who just passed away the day before (Rest in Paradise, Auntie Sharon).
He gives a shout out to Dr. Dre and Swizz Beatz, and they nod back in approval.
Watch Kendrick Lamar receive the Grammy for Record Of The Year, here.
Remember when we talked about flexing? Kendrick nods to two of the greatest tastemakers in rap music, knowing he is walking alongside them and their shelves of Grammy awards.
Lamar then doesn’t hesitate to reflect on the life experiences in the communities that led him to where he is standing tonight:
“We are going to dedicate this one to the city, Compton, Watts, yeah, Long Beach, Inglewood, Hollywood, out to the valley, Pacoima, IE, San Bernardino, all that. You know, uh, this is my neck of the woods that’s held me down since a young pup. You know since I was in the studio scrapping to write the best raps and all that, in order to do records like this. So you know, I can’t give enough thanks to these places that I’ve rolled around since high school, you know. Most importantly, to the people and the families out in the Palisades and Altadena, this is a true testament that will continue to restore the city, and uh, yeah, we gon’ keep rocking.”
— Kendrick Lamar
A Whopping Five Grammy Celebration
The celebrations do not end there. Each Grammy Kendrick Lamar received this year was not televised, so let me break it down for you. He received these awards, all for “Not Like Us,” by the way:
- Record Of The Year
- Song Of The Year
- Best Rap Performance
- Best Rap Song
- Best Music Video
Kendrick Lamar Wins Song Of The Year
In his last speech, he gives recognition to all of the legends before him who have inspired his projects today. G “Glasses” Malone, Problem, Schoolboy Q, Jay Rock, and Ab-Soul are just a few names he rinsed to the crowd.
KENDRICK LAMAR: “This is what it’s about man because at the end of the day, nothing more powerful than rap music. I don’t care what it is. We are the culture. It’s gon’ always stay here forever. And to the younger artists, just like my man Punch say, I just hope you respect the art form.
That’s all.
Respect the art form.That’ll get you where you need to go. I appreciate y’all. I love y’all.”
Kendrick walks off the stage for the last time.
Watch Kendrick Lamar receive the Grammy for Song Of The Year.
Thank you Kendrick, for sharing your unique and powerful message of culture, growth, and
expansion that you experienced all over Los Angeles.
We respect the art form.
Cheers to you, and “Not Like Us”.
Watch the music video for “Not Like Us”.
