Kendrick Lamar Receives Pulitzer Prize

Kendrick Lamar Receives Pulitzer Prize

In what can only be described as a ‘great moment for hip hop,’ multi-platinum rapper Kendrick Lamar received his Pulitzer Prize award Wednesday, May 30th. The ceremony took place at Columbia University in New York City.

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The Compton artist got a standing ovation while accepting this prestigious award for his masterful “Damn” album.

He said,

It’s an honor. I’ve been writing my whole life. To get this type of recognition. It’s beautiful.

Lamar, who credits Tupac Shakur as his biggest influence, is not only the first rapper to win the award since the Pulitzer expanded to music in 1943, but he is also the first winner who is not a classical or jazz musician. The Pulitzer Prize Board said about Kendrick’s “Damn” album,

Recording released on April 14, 2017, a virtuosic song collection unified by its vernacular authenticity and rhythmic dyamism that offers affecting vignettes capturing the complexity of modern African-American life.

The “To Pimp A Butterfly” rapper has 12 Grammy Awards under his belt. “Damn” is his fourth studio album, is beloved by fans as a future classic.

It shines a light on hip-hop in a completely different way. This is a big moment for hip-hop music and a big moment for the Pulitzers.

Dana Canedy, the administrator of prizes said of Kendrick’s accomplishment. Terrence Henderson aka Punch of Top Dawg Entertainment said,

From now on, no one should speak with anything less than respect in your mouth for Kendrick Lamar.

Lamar is currently on The Championship Tour with his label mates.

By: TheDiamondKShow