Kendrick Lamar's Success and Achievements in Timeline

A closer look at the biggest achievements of Kendrick Lamar. Awards, milestones, and records that define success.

Kendrick Lamar Duckworth, a highly acclaimed American rapper, singer, songwriter, and record producer, is widely considered one of the greatest rappers ever. A significant milestone in his career was receiving the 2018 Pulitzer Prize for Music, making him the first non-classical or jazz musician to achieve this honor.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Legacy & Impact

October 2012: BET Music Matters Tour and Hip Hop Awards

In October 2012, Kendrick Lamar headlined the BET Music Matters Tour with Black Hippy and Stalley. He also won Lyricist of the Year at the BET Hip Hop Awards and was featured on ASAP Rocky's single "Fuckin' Problems".

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2013: Named Best Rapper Alive by Complex

In 2013, Complex named Kendrick Lamar the best rapper alive, recognizing his talent and impact on the music scene.

January 2014: Grammy Nominations and Performance

In January 2014, Kendrick Lamar received seven nominations at the 56th Annual Grammy Awards for Good Kid, M.A.A.D City, but did not win. He performed a mashup of "M.A.A.D City" and "Radioactive" with Imagine Dragons during the awards ceremony.

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2014: Featured on Forbes' 30 Under 30 List

In 2014, Kendrick Lamar was featured on Forbes' 30 Under 30 list in the music category, recognizing his early success and potential.

May 2015: Declared a Generational Icon by the California State Senate

In May 2015, Kendrick Lamar was declared a generational icon by the California State Senate for his contributions to music and philanthropy, recognizing his impact on society.

2016: Inclusion in Time's 100 Most Influential People

In 2016, Kendrick Lamar was included in Time's annual list of the 100 most influential people in the world, underscoring his widespread impact and recognition.

2016: Time's 100 Most Influential People

In 2016, Time listed Kendrick Lamar as one of the 100 most influential people in the world.

2017: Named Best Rapper Alive by Complex Again

In 2017, Complex again named Kendrick Lamar the best rapper alive, acknowledging his continued dominance in the industry.

April 16, 2018: Pulitzer Prize for Damn

On April 16, 2018, Damn won the Pulitzer Prize for Music, marking the first time a musical composition outside of the classical and jazz genres received the honor.

June 2018: Damn certified gold

By June 2018, every song on Damn became gold certified or higher by the Recording Industry Association of America.

2018: Damn Receives Pulitzer Prize for Music

In 2018, Damn received the Pulitzer Prize for Music, marking the first time a musical work outside of the classical and jazz genres was honored, cementing its place in music history.

2018: Black Panther Soundtrack and Academy Award Nomination

In 2018, Kendrick Lamar curated original songs for the soundtrack of the film Black Panther. He earned a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Original Song for "All the Stars".

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2018: Featured on Forbes' 30 Under 30 List Again

In 2018, Kendrick Lamar was again featured on Forbes' 30 Under 30 list in the music category, solidifying his continued success and influence.

2018: Pulitzer Prize for Music

In 2018, Kendrick Lamar was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Music, marking the first time a musician outside of the classical and jazz genres received this prestigious award.

2019: Appearance on Forbes' Celebrity 100 Ranking

In 2019, Kendrick Lamar appeared on Forbes' Celebrity 100 ranking, highlighting his financial success and popularity.

February 13, 2022: Super Bowl LVI Halftime Show

On February 13, 2022, Kendrick Lamar co-headlined the Super Bowl LVI halftime show alongside Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, 50 Cent, and Mary J. Blige, which later won a Primetime Emmy Award.

May 13, 2022: Release of Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers

On May 13, 2022, Kendrick Lamar released his fifth album, Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers. The album, a double album influenced by jazz, R&B, trap, and soul, received widespread critical acclaim. All tracks charted on the Hot 100, and the album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, selling 295,000 units in its first week.

February 2023: Top Ranked Album on Rate Your Music

As of February 2023, To Pimp a Butterfly is the top ranked album on the online encyclopedia Rate Your Music, showcasing its critical acclaim.

2023: Inclusion in Billboard's List of Greatest Rappers

In 2023, Kendrick Lamar was included in Billboard's list of the greatest rappers of all time, cementing his legacy in the hip-hop genre.

March 2024: End of the Big Steppers Tour

The Big Steppers Tour, supporting the Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers album and launched in July 2022, concluded in March 2024. The tour became the highest-grossing rap tour ever at the time, grossing $110.9 million worldwide.

2024: Good Kid, M.A.A.D City Ranked Seventh Greatest Album by Apple Music

In 2024, Good Kid, M.A.A.D City was named the seventh greatest album of all time by Apple Music, solidifying its status as a classic.

February 2, 2025: "Not Like Us" wins 5 awards at the 67th Annual Grammy Awards

On February 2, 2025, Kendrick Lamar's "Not Like Us" won 5 awards at the 67th Annual Grammy Awards: "Record of the Year", "Song of the Year", "Best Rap Performance", "Best Rap Song" and "Best Music Video".

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February 9, 2025: Super Bowl LIX Halftime Performance

On February 9, 2025, Kendrick Lamar performed at the Super Bowl LIX halftime show. The show featured SZA, Samuel L. Jackson, Serena Williams, and Mustard. It became the most-watched Super Bowl performance of all time, with 133.5 million viewers.