Kendrick Lamar Shut Out of Major AMA Wins—But Still Breaking Records
Kendrick Lamar may have walked away with a trophy for Favorite Hip Hop Song at this year’s American Music Awards, but fans were left stunned as the rap titan was shut out of every major category despite six nominations.
His fiery Drake diss track “Not Like Us” earned him one well-deserved win—but Artist of the Year, Album of the Year, and Song of the Year all went to Billie Eilish, in what some fans are calling a surprising awards sweep.
Eminem Makes a Comeback—At Kendrick’s Expense
Adding fuel to the upset, Eminem emerged victorious in two key hip hop categories—Favorite Hip Hop Artist and Favorite Hip Hop Album—beating out Kendrick in both. It marked a massive moment for Em, whose comeback year now includes top-tier recognition.
Lamar also lost Collaboration of the Year, where his joint track with SZA fell short to Bruno Mars and Lady Gaga’s viral hit “Die With A Smile.” That same duo also snagged Favorite Music Video, shutting Kendrick out again.
Award Losses Can’t Stop Kendrick’s Winning Streak
Despite the AMA snubs, Kendrick’s career is in overdrive.
His Grand National Tour is setting records, with his Seattle stop pulling in a staggering $14.8 million—making it the highest-grossing rap concert in history and drawing over 61,000 fans.
He shattered his own previous record from his Dallas performance at AT&T Stadium, which grossed $11.8 million. That show already made him the highest-grossing Black man in history for a single live performance, surpassing The Weeknd’s $9.8 million haul at SoFi Stadium in 2022.
“Not Like Us” Makes History on the Charts
If there were any doubts about Kendrick’s impact, “Not Like Us” just became the first rap song ever to spend an entire year on the Billboard Hot 100—a feat that cements his position at the top of the hip hop food chain, regardless of award show outcomes.
Bottom Line:
Awards or not, Kendrick Lamar is still winning where it counts: in the culture, on the charts, and at the box office.
Should Kendrick have swept more categories at the AMAs?
Drop your thoughts in the comments below and let us know if the Academy got it right—or not.
