Kendrick Lamar dominated the 2025 Grammy Awards, securing multiple wins, including Song of the Year and Record of the Year for his viral diss track Not Like Us.
The Compton rapper’s scathing yet infectious anthem, produced by Mustard, was definitely a moment in 2024 and is now officially recognized as one of the year’s most impactful records, according to the Grammys.
“We’re gonna dedicate this one to the city,” Lamar said in his acceptance speech, shouting out Los Angeles neighborhoods that fueled his rise to greatness.
KENDRICK LAMAR NOT LIKE US RECORD OF THE YEAR #GRAMMYS SPEECH 🚨
— NFR Podcast (@nfr_podcast) February 3, 2025
"Dedicate this to my city!" pic.twitter.com/idQpLeaLfE
Not Like Us becomes only the second rap track ever to win Record of the Year—the first being Childish Gambino’s This Is America in 2019.
The track’s infectious West Coast beat, paired with Lamar’s sharp disses, made it a cultural moment—one that extended beyond rap, dominating conversations and climbing to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Not Like Us swept the night by winning four Grammy wins out of its seven nominations; Record of the Year, Song of the Year, Best Rap Performance, Best Rap Song, and Best Music Video
Here’s a quick clarification of the distinction between Record of the Year and Song of the Year:
Record of the Year is awarded to the artists, producers, and engineers involved in the specific recording of a song. This focuses on the creation and production of the track itself.
On the other hand, Song of the Year is given to the songwriters—those who composed the lyrics or melodies of original material (excluding sampled or interpolated content).
So, the songwriter or composer behind the music would receive the Song of the Year trophy, while the producer (who oversees the overall recording process) or the engineer (who operates the recording and mixing equipment) would be recognized in Record of the Year, alongside the performing artist.
Congratulations, Kendrick!
With this latest Grammy sweep, Lamar continues to prove why he remains one of the greatest rappers of his generation. “Not Like Us” wasn’t just a diss track—it was a moment in music history that now has the accolades to match its impact.