Kendrick Lamar Becomes the First Rapper to Win a Pulitzer Prize in Music
Kendrick Lamar just made history after earning himself a Pulitzer Prize in Music for his critically acclaimed album, DAMN.
The Pulitzer Prize website describes the album as a “virtuosic song collection unified by its vernacular authenticity and rhythmic dynamism that offers affecting vignettes capturing the complexity of modern African-American life.” Released in 2017, DAMN was earned for multiple Grammy awards in 2018, including a nomination for Album of the Year. The rapper took home five Grammys for Best Rap Album, Best Rap Performance (“HUMBLE.”), Best Rap Song (“HUMBLE.”), Best Music Video (“HUMBLE.”), and Best Rap/Sung Performance (“LOYALTY.” ft. Rihanna).
Congratulations to @kendricklamar, @dangerookipawaa and @Interscope! #Pulitzer pic.twitter.com/fFQBYnoW9F
— The Pulitzer Prizes (@PulitzerPrizes) April 16, 2018
Kendrick made history as the first rapper to win the prestigious award. In previous years, the award was given to jazz or classical artist including composer George Walker, composer Julia Wolfe, composer Jennifer Higdon, and Trumpeter Wynton Marsalis.
Although Kendrick did not comment on the historic win, the Top Dawg Entertainment twitter account acknowledged the huge accomplishment along with several celebrities and of course… his fans.
“I came, I saw, I conquered
No shame, I blame all of this on Compton” #DAMN. #TDE #HiiiPoWeR #Pulitzer #PulitzerPrize pic.twitter.com/hVCpwxQaEi— TOP DAWG ENT (@TopDawgEnt) April 16, 2018
August Wilson, Thelonious Monk, Alex Haley, Toni Morrison, John Coltrane, Duke Ellington, Kendrick Lamar….just thinking of all the Pulitzer Prize winners I know and K Dot names sounds pretty damn good amongst them. Congrats to that brother! I’m inspired!
— Charlamagne Tha God (@cthagod) April 16, 2018
Beyoncé had Coachella renamed after her, Kendrick Lamar won a Pulitzer Prize, & Black Panther has made more money than Titanic.
Black history month is every month, every day, every year, all the time.
— Clint Smith (@ClintSmithIII) April 16, 2018
Congrats to @kendricklamar for winning a #pulitzerprize for your provocative , groundbreaking work. 🌟Keep speaking truth. https://t.co/AAbV8Af2Gr
— Reese Witherspoon (@RWitherspoon) April 16, 2018
Congratulations @kendricklamar on your Pulitzer win. The album was brilliant and deserves every accolade .
— Anthony Bourdain (@Bourdain) April 16, 2018
Kendrick’s Pulitzer is not a validation, it is a recognition. Prizes don’t validate hip-hop. The lives it touches, the ground it shakes, the truth it tells, that’s what validates hip-hop.
To me.— Mankaprr Conteh (@Mankaprr) April 16, 2018
Y’ALL! KENDRICK LAMAR IS A PULITZER PRIZE WINNER https://t.co/e72jUTTgpI
— MJ Franklin (@heyitsfranklin2) April 16, 2018
Kendrick Lamar being the first hip hop artist to win a #Pulitzer prize is a revolutionary sign of rap’s influence. But it’s also overdue considering the fact that rap started off as a form of journalism and poetry. It’s about talking about what’s happening where you come from.
— BRIANA 🎬🖤 (@briasoboojie) April 16, 2018
Congrats Kendrick!
