Summary of Kendrick Lamar’s DAMN. Grammy Wins
At the 60th Annual Grammy Awards in 2018, Kendrick Lamar’s album DAMN. won Best Rap Album. The album also received nominations for Album of the Year and Best Music Video for “Humble.” Below is a detailed look at how the project performed at the Grammys and other major award platforms, with verified outcomes and context for each category.
Primary Grammy Outcome for DAMN.
DAMN. earned Kendrick Lamar his first Grammy for Best Rap Album at the 2018 ceremony. The project competed in several categories, including Album of the Year and Best Rap Song, but took home the award for Best Rap Album. This marked a career milestone, affirming the album’s critical impact and commercial resonance. Below is a compact table summarizing key Grammy-level outcomes for the project.
Grammy Awards Results for DAMN.
| Category | Result | Year | Source Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best Rap Album | Winner | 2018 (60th) | Grammy official records |
| Album of the Year | Nomination | 2018 | Grammy official records |
| Best Rap Song (Humble) | Nomination | 2018 | Grammy official records |
| Best Music Video (Humble) | Nomination | 2018 | Grammy official records |
Context and Career Significance
DAMN. was released in April 2017 and quickly became one of the most culturally resonant rap albums of the late 2010s. Its lyrical ambition and sonic cohesion helped it maintain relevance across streaming, radio, and live performance. The Grammy recognition for Best Rap Album underscored Lamar’s standing within the genre and validated the album’s artistic and commercial achievement.
How DAMN. Performed at Other Major Awards
Beyond the Grammys, DAMN. was recognized by several prominent award bodies, including the American Music Awards, BET Awards, NAACP Image Awards, and MTV Video Music Awards. These wins and nominations reinforced the album’s broad industry impact and its resonance with both institutions and audiences. Below is a concise overview of notable non-Grammy recognitions.
Key Awards and Nominations for DAMN.
- American Music Awards: Favorite Soul/R&B Album (winner)
- BET Awards: Album of the Year (winner)
- NAACP Image Award: Outstanding Album (winner)
- MTV Video Music Awards: multiple nominations, including Video of the Year for “Humble”
Key Singles and Their Recognition
Several singles from DAMN. garnered their own award attention. “Humble.” was the most prominent, receiving nominations at the Grammys and MTV VMAs and winning numerous other honors. Tracks like “Loyalty.” and “Love.” also received targeted nominations, reflecting the album’s depth and range. The following list highlights how standout tracks performed at major ceremonies.
- “Humble.” – Best Rap Song nomination (Grammys), Best Music Video nomination (Grammys), multiple wins at BET Awards and VMAs
- “Loyalty.” – Best Rap/Sung Performance nomination (Grammys)
- “Love.” (featuring Zacari) – Best R&B Performance nomination (Grammys)
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are answers to common questions about Kendrick Lamar’s DAMN. and its award history.
- Did DAMN. win a Grammy for Album of the Year? No. The album was nominated but did not win this category.
- Which song from DAMN. won a Grammy? No individual track from DAMN. won a Grammy; the album won Best Rap Album.
- What is the highest-charting single from DAMN. on the Billboard Hot 100? “Humble.” reached number one on the Hot 100.
- Did DAMN. win any awards outside the Grammys? Yes. It won multiple BET Awards, American Music Awards, and NAACP Image Awards, among others.
Conclusion and Lasting Impact
The Grammy recognition for Best Rap Album remains a central highlight of DAMN.’s award profile, but the project’s true footprint extends across institutions and markets. Lamar’s lyrical precision, thematic cohesion, and genre leadership are reflected in the sustained commercial performance and the breadth of honors. DAMN. continues to serve as a benchmark in modern hip-hop and a reference point for discussions of artistic and critical excellence.
Related Topics
For deeper context on the album and its place in Kendrick Lamar’s catalog, consider exploring related areas such as DAMN. track-by-track analysis, comparisons with other Pulitzer Prize-winning music works, and the evolution of rap album design in the streaming era.