Kendrick Lamar’s run of dominance hit an unexpected bump at this year’s American Music Awards. Though he didn’t leave empty-handed, winning Favorite Hip Hop Song for his Drake diss track “Not Like Us”, Lamar was shut out in the night’s major categories.
He was nominated in six total categories, including Artist of the Year, Album of the Year, and Song of the Year. But it was Billie Eilish who came out on top in all three. The surprises didn’t stop there. In a move that shocked fans, Eminem walked away with both, winning Favorite Hip Hop Artist and Favorite Hip Hop Album, beating out Kendrick in both categories.
Lamar also had a shot at Collaboration of the Year alongside SZA, but the honor went to Bruno Mars and Lady Gaga for their chart-topping track “Die With A Smile.” That song also beat out “Not Like Us” for Favorite Music Video, adding to Kendrick’s list of near-wins.
Still, award show losses haven’t slowed Lamar’s momentum. His Grand National Tour is smashing records. A recent stop in Seattle pulled in a massive $14.8 million, setting a new all-time high for a rap concert. That show drew nearly 61,000 fans, making it the most attended performance of the tour so far.
Kendrick broke his own record. A previous stop at Dallas’s AT&T Stadium brought in $11.8 million, which had already made him the highest-grossing Black man in history for a single live show. He surpassed The Weeknd’s 2022 mark of $9.8 million at SoFi Stadium.
And on the charts, he’s still king. “Not Like Us” recently became the first rap song in history to spend a full year on the Billboard Hot 100. Win or lose at the American Music Awards, Kendrick continues to make history.
