Kendrick Lamar Wins Record of the Year at 2025 Grammys for 'Not Like Us,' Pays Tribute to L.A.
Kendrick Lamar surprised audiences by winning Record of the Year for his catchy anthem "Not Like Us." This victory marked a significant moment during the 2025 Grammys.
Acceptance Speech Highlights
In his acceptance speech, the 37-year-old artist expressed love for Compton, California, and gratitude for collaborator Mustard. He stated, "This is my neck of the woods that's held me down since I was a young pup. Since I was in the studio scrapping to write the best raps for records like these."
He also honored significant areas like the Palisades and Altadena. "This is a true testament that we're going to continue to restore this city. We gonna keep rocking," he said.
Nominees for Record of the Year
The record of the year category showcased immense talent this year. Nominees included:
- "Now and Then" by The Beatles
- "Texas Hold 'Em" by Beyoncé
- "Espresso" by Sabrina Carpenter
- "360" by Charli xcx
- "Birds of a Feather" by Billie Eilish
- "Not Like Us" by Kendrick Lamar
- "Good Luck, Babe!" by Chappell Roan
- "Fortnight" by Taylor Swift ft. Post Malone
Lamar’s "Not Like Us" is known for its bold lyrics, referring to a rivalry with fellow rapper Drake. An intense line includes "Certified Lover Boy? Certified pedophiles," which links to Drake’s 2021 album.
He further critiques allegations around Drake with lyrics like, "And your homeboy needs subpoena, that predator move in flocks."
Keith's Performance and Commitment to West Coast
In 2024, Lamar performed "Not Like Us" five times consecutively during his L.A. Juneteenth concert, marking its live debut. He asked the audience, "Y’all ain’t gonna let nobody disrespect the West Coast, huh?" This references his track, "Taylor Made Freestyle," which included AI-generated vocals from icons Snoop Dogg and Tupac Shakur.
Over his career, Lamar has secured 19 Grammy wins out of 57 nominations. This year, he received nominations for Best Music Video, Best Rap Song, and Song of the Year.
Earlier, SSP reported that Beyoncé confirms Cowboy Carter Tour 2025.