Kendrick Lamar Clinches Record of the Year at the 2025 Grammys
At the 2025 Grammy Awards, Kendrick Lamar achieved a significant milestone by winning Record of the Year for the first time, triumphing after his fourth nomination in this category. His provocative track “Not Like Us,” which takes aim at Drake, emerged victorious over strong contenders such as Taylor Swift and Post Malone with “Fortnight,” the Beatles’ “Now and Then,” Beyoncé’s “Texas Hold ’Em,” Billie Eilish’s “Birds of a Feather,” Chappell Roan’s “Good Luck, Babe!”, Charli XCX’s “360,” and Sabrina Carpenter’s “Espresso.” Remarkably, the ceremony broadcasted some of the song’s more contentious lyrics, marking perhaps the first occasion the event participants chanted a verse that has sparked ongoing legal battles with the world’s largest record label.
During his acceptance speech, Kendrick Lamar opened with reverent thanks, “First and foremost, all praise to the most high. We woke up this morning,” and proceeded to honor a deceased aunt. He then shouted out music industry icons, “DocDre, what’s up? Swizz [Beatz], what’s up?” He dedicated his win to several Southern California areas that have supported his journey from the onset. “We gon’ dedicate this one to this city: Compton, Watts, Long Beach, Inglewood, Hollywood, out to the Valley… San Bernardino, all that. You know, this is my neck of the woods that’s held me down since I was a young pup, since I was in the studio scrapping to write the best raps and all that.”
Lamar continued to express his gratitude, particularly to the local communities and individuals who have been his pillar since his formative years, “I can’t give enough thanks to these places that I rolled around since high school.” Highlighting the broader impact, he added, “Most importantly, the people and the families out in the Palisades and Altadena. This is a true testament that we can continue to restore this city. And, yeah, we gon’ keep rocking. My boy Mustard, where you at, man? What’s up?”
Producer Mustard briefly interjected with a spirited, “I ain’t got nothing to say but Westside!”
Earlier in the ceremony, Lamar had already collected awards for Best Music Video, Best Rap Song, and Best Rap Performance for “Not Like Us.” He also took home the Song of the Year award, culminating in a highly successful evening.
The Record of the Year award was officially shared by Lamar along with “Not Like Us” producers Mustard, Sean Momberger, and Sounwave; engineers and mixers Ray Charles Brown Jr. and Johnathan Turner; and mastering engineer Nicolas de Porcel.
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Naomi lives and breathes music. From underground indie artists to global pop icons, she’s always got her ear to the streets.