Kendrick Lamar Grammys: “Luther” with SZA wins big as GNX adds history
Late Sunday night ET, the Grammys delivered a defining headline for hip-hop: Kendrick Lamar and SZA took Record of the Year for “Luther,” and Lamar left the ceremony with a new career milestone that pushed him past Jay Z’s long-standing mark among rappers. The wins also put fresh attention on GNX, the album that helped power Lamar’s night, while producer credits that included Jack Antonoff became part of the story behind the trophy haul.
For anyone asking “is the grammys over,” the answer is yes—the main ceremony concluded Sunday night ET, with winners across pop, Latin, rock, country, and rap announced throughout the day and evening.
Kendrick Lamar Grammys: totals and key wins
The simplest answer to “how many grammys does kendrick lamar have” is 27 total career wins as of this year’s ceremony. The related question, “how many grammys did kendrick lamar win,” comes down to four awards on the night, including the top-field win for “Luther.”
Those numbers also clarify why “jay z” came up repeatedly during the broadcast-week chatter: Lamar’s total made him the most-awarded rapper in Grammy history, surpassing Jay-Z’s previous total (25). It’s a record inside the genre, distinct from the all-time Grammys leaderboard across every category.
| Category (2026) | Winner | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Record of the Year | “Luther” — Kendrick Lamar and SZA | A top “General Field” award |
| Best Rap Album | GNX — Kendrick Lamar | Anchored Lamar’s multiple wins |
| Best Rap Song | “tv off” — Kendrick Lamar | Songwriting honor for rap |
| Best Rap Performance | “Chains & Whips” — Kendrick Lamar | Performance-focused rap award |
“Luther” song and what made it stand out
The “luther song” win mattered because it crossed lanes: a rap-adjacent collaboration landing in the most mainstream recording category, driven by a polished studio presentation and a performance that played well beyond core rap audiences. “luther kendrick lamar” became a shorthand online for the track’s mood—somber, romantic, and carefully produced—while “kendrick lamar luther” trended alongside clips and reactions.
Musically, “Luther” incorporates elements from the classic “If This World Were Mine,” tied to Luther Vandross and Cheryl Lynn, and frames that nostalgia in a modern duet structure. That blend—recognizable DNA with a contemporary finish—helped it resonate as a “recording” achievement rather than only a songwriting one.
What is Record of the Year?
A lot of viewers asked, “what is record of the year,” especially while comparing it to Song of the Year. Record of the Year honors the recording itself—the full performance and production—so it typically recognizes the performing artists plus key behind-the-scenes contributors such as producers and engineers. That’s why jack antonoff grammys chatter spiked: Antonoff was among the credited producers connected to “Luther,” alongside other collaborators, reflecting how modern hits are often built by teams.
Song of the Year, by contrast, focuses on the composition and is primarily a songwriter award.
SZA Grammys 2026: a headline win with Kendrick
For “sza grammys 2026,” the story is clean and major: SZA won Record of the Year as a featured artist and co-voice on “Luther.” “kendrick lamar and sza” also remained a focal point because their pairing carried both prestige and momentum—an arena-ready collaboration that translated into top-field recognition.
For fans searching “kendrick lamar sza,” the takeaway is that the collaboration paid off at the highest level this year, even as other categories stayed competitive and unpredictable across genres.
Who has the most Grammys overall?
Another common question—“who has the most grammys”—has a different answer than the rapper-specific record. The all-time leader in total Grammy wins is Beyoncé, with 35 career awards. That broader record spans the full Grammy ecosystem and isn’t limited to a single genre.
So Lamar’s achievement sits in a distinct lane: he’s now the most-awarded rapper, while the overall wins leaderboard remains led by Beyoncé.
What to watch next for Kendrick, SZA, and GNX
Awards nights often become inflection points. For Kendrick—often searched simply as “kendrick”—the question is whether GNX-era material stays active as a touring and cultural force, or whether attention shifts quickly to the next project cycle. For SZA, the “Luther” win adds a top-field credential that can shape future collaborations and category placement.
The bigger industry signal is that a rap-driven collaboration can still take the biggest recording prize when the production, performance, and mainstream reach align—an outcome likely to influence how labels and artists frame their next cross-genre singles.
Sources consulted: Recording Academy; Associated Press; People; Pitchfork
