Kendrick Lamar Wins 2025 Grammy for Record of the Year with ‘Not Like Us’

Kendrick Lamar cemented his dominance in the music industry at the 67th Grammy Awards, taking home multiple awards, including Record of the Year and Song of the Year for his 2024 hit, Not Like Us.

The track, which became a viral sensation and a cultural moment due to its pointed lyrics aimed at rival rapper Drake, also won Best Rap Song, Best Rap Performance, and Best Music Video, giving Lamar a total of five wins for the night.

Lamar vs. The Competition

Not Like Us faced stiff competition for Record of the Year, including:

• The Beatles’ AI-assisted single Now and Then
• Beyoncé’s country hit Texas Hold ’Em
• Taylor Swift’s duet with Post Malone Fortnight
• Billie Eilish’s ballad Birds of a Feather
• Other major hits like Sabrina Carpenter’s Espresso, Charli XCX’s 360, and Chappell Roan’s Good Luck, Babe!

Despite the crowded category, Lamar’s track prevailed, solidifying its status as one of the most defining songs of the year.

Hip-Hop’s Big Night

Lamar also made history in the Best Rap Song category, where he was nominated twice—once for Not Like Us and again for his collaboration on Future and Metro Boomin’s Like That. He outshined GloRilla, Kanye West & Ty Dolla Sign, Rapsody, and Rich the Kid to claim the award.

His Best Rap Performance win saw him beating legendary acts like Eminem, Common, and Cardi B. Meanwhile, his visually striking music video for Not Like Us won Best Music Video, surpassing works from Taylor Swift, ASAP Rocky, and Charli XCX.

A Historic Grammy Run & Super Bowl on the Horizon

Before the night began, Lamar already had 17 Grammys to his name. With these new wins, he inches closer to becoming one of the most awarded rappers in Grammy history.

Adding to the excitement, Lamar is set to perform at the Super Bowl halftime show next week. While his exact setlist remains under wraps, his Not Like Us performance at a Juneteenth concert—where he played the song six times in a row—suggests fans may witness a similar spectacle on the biggest stage in sports.

With this Grammy sweep, Kendrick Lamar proves once again why he remains one of the most influential artists in hip-hop.