For his smashing diss track “Not Like Us,” one of a number of tracks from the Los Angeles-based native that skewers hip-hop rival Drake, Kendrick Lamar won the Grammys for record and song of the year on Sunday.
The Canadian rapper and Lamar had a long feud when the song’s brutal song came out. The Song of the Year award recognizes songwriting, while the Record of the Year award recognizes songwriting overall.
On the night, he won in all five categories in which he was nominated, all for “Not Like Us”. The others were best rap song and performance, as well as best music video.
For both best rap song and performance, he was nominated a second time for the track “Like That”.
“Nothing more powerful than rap music”, the 37-year-old Lamar said in accepting the top song trophy. “We are the culture”.
The fifth of a collection of songs slamming the Canadian rapper, which came out less than a day after his previous single, “Meet the Grahams,” was released in May of this year, is “Not Like Us.”
The rappers traded barbs including allegations of child sexual abuse during the controversy that “Not Like Us” led critics and followers to declare Lamar the winner of the conflict.
A record-breaking streaming giant, “Not Like Us” catapulted to the top of the charts and quickly became a West Coast rap anthem, beloved for its pounding bass line, rhythmic strings and exaggerated enunciation.
One week before Lamar’s scheduled appearance at this year’s Super Bowl halftime show in New Orleans, Lamar’s success comes as a result of his Grammy nomination.
After three previous nominations, he was the first to receive the Record of the Year award.
With his heartfelt verses that offer personal insights while addressing systemic issues like racism and structural poverty, Lamar, who was born in Compton, California, is regarded as one of the most powerful writers of contemporary music.
The Pulitzer Prize winner’s music, which features jazz-heavy instrumentals, has made him a household name and a rare artist whose work is not dependent on a constant stream of material.
He named several neighborhoods and said, “You know, this is my neck of the woods,” dedicating Sunday’s best record Grammy to his Los Angeles hometown, which is still suffering from recent deadly wildfires.
Source: Channels TV
Leave a Reply