Kendrick Lamar dominated the Grammy Awards this year, taking home five trophies and delivering a powerful speech that resonated beyond the music industry. The Compton-raised rapper used his moment on stage to pay tribute to Los Angeles, particularly in light of the devastating wildfires that recently swept through parts of the city.
“This one is for the city,” Lamar declared while accepting his award. A proud South LA native, he dedicated his wins to Compton, the place that shaped him as an artist. “This is my neck of the woods that held me down since I was a young pup, since I was in the studio scrapping to write the best raps and all that,” he reflected.
His appreciation extended to Palisades and Altadena, recognizing the communities affected by the fires. He called his Grammy wins a “true testament” to resilience and how people can come together to rebuild.
Lamar, who was nominated in seven categories, walked away with wins in five major ones:
- Record of the Year
- Song of the Year
- Best Music Video
- Best Rap Song
- Best Rap Performance
The track that earned him these accolades? Not Like Us—a diss track that fueled his long-running feud with Drake, solidifying Lamar as one of the biggest winners of the night.