Kendrick Lamar has kicked off 2025 with another major milestone, becoming the first U.S. lead artist to surpass a billion streams this year.
The announcement came from Chart Data, confirming that Lamar’s streaming numbers saw a significant boost following his record-breaking Grammy wins and Super Bowl halftime performance.
A Historic Streaming Milestone
Lamar’s latest single, “Not Like Us,” has been a major factor in this achievement, currently sitting at number one on Spotify’s global charts.
His streaming dominance has sparked discussions online, with some fans questioning how he reached the milestone so suddenly.
However, others pointed to his recent Grammy sweep and Super Bowl performance as clear reasons behind the surge.
Grammy Wins and Super Bowl Success
The rapper had an unforgettable night at the 67th Annual Grammy Awards on February 2, where he won five awards, including Record of the Year and Song of the Year for “Not Like Us”.
This marked only the second time a rap song has won Record of the Year, following Childish Gambino’s “This Is America” in 2019. With these latest wins, Lamar now has 22 Grammy Awards, making him the third most decorated rapper in history, behind Jay-Z and Kanye West.
His Super Bowl halftime performance at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans only added to his momentum. With 133.5 million viewers, Lamar’s show broke Michael Jackson’s 1993 viewership record.
More people tuned in for his 13-minute set, which included hits like “HUMBLE,” “DNA,” “All the Stars,” and “Not Like Us,” than the actual game, which averaged 127.7 million viewers.
Kendrick Lamar’s Legacy
With streaming numbers skyrocketing, record-breaking performances, and chart-topping hits, Kendrick Lamar’s influence on the music industry is undeniable. As 2025 continues, he remains a dominant force in hip-hop, proving once again why he’s one of the greatest of his generation.
