Kendrick Lamar Is Dominating The Grammys
At the 65th Grammy Awards, the winner of the “Best Rap Album” category is Kendrick Lamar for Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers. Wearing a blue pgLang and Los Angeles Dodgers baseball cap and sunglasses, Kendrick accepted the award from 2019 category winner Cardi B. He thanked his family and fans for encouraging a truthful and vulnerable album. He also thanked “the culture” for allowing me to make a song like ‘Mother I Sober,'” before recalling his underground dreams. Throughout his album campaign, Kendrick referred to “the culture” in his lyrics.
Earlier tonight, Kendrick’s “The Heart Part 5,” a promotional video single later added to Mr. Morale, took home wins for “Best Rap Song” and “Best Rap Performance.” These are among a total of eight 2023 nominations. Later tonight (February 5), Kendrick will compete in the “Album Of The Year” category. A win would mark his first in this category and a first for a Hip-Hop artist in nearly 20 years.
At present, Kendrick has 17 Grammy Awards (three behind Bruce Springsteen, for reference), and counting…as the night proceeds.
Explaining Kendrick Lamar’s Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers Albums
Other “Best Rap Album” nominees tonight included Pusha-T’s fourth solo album, It’s Almost Dry, Future’s ninth LP, I NEVER LIKED YOU, and Jack Harlow’s Come Home The Kids Miss You. These three runners-up were joined by a compilation album, DJ Khaled’s GOD DID LP. Earlier tonight, Kendrick’s “Die Hard” lost to Future and Tems’ “Wait For U,” in “Best Melodic Rap Song” category.
“Mother I Sober,” which Kendrick referenced in his acceptance speech, features Portishead’s Beth Gibbons and addresses abuse, homophobia, and addiction within the family. Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers marks Kendrick’s final album for Top Dawg Entertainment, the label he’s worked with since the mid-2000s. The release also comes as K-Dot’s first for his pgLang imprint. In 2021, Lamar and Dave Free announced their creative agency. Other guests on the album include Wu-Tang Clan’s Ghostface Killah, Summer Walker, and Kendrick’s relative, Baby Keem.
Kendrick Lamar’s Video Shows 5 Years In 2 Minutes
Kendrick previously took this category for 2015’s To Pimp A Butterfly and 2017’s DAMN, his last two full-length albums.
Upon its release Ambrosia For Heads‘ What’s The Headline podcast produced a special episode surrounding Kendrick Lamar’s Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers (embedded above in video and audio) highlighting themes, motifs, and inspiration alongside analysis.