If you believed 2024 marked an extraordinary surge for Kendrick Lamar, hold onto your hats, as his 2025 is shaping up to be an even more dazzling spectacle, potentially outshining the previous year's brilliance. Lamar kicked off the year with a bang, clinching five GRAMMY awards for his relentless Drake-dissing anthem "Not Like Us." Each category he was nominated in (a total of five) saw him victorious, bagging honors such as Record of the Year, Song of the Year, Best Rap Song, Best Rap Performance, and Best Music Video. In an unprecedented feat, "Not Like Us" became the very first diss track to etch its name in GRAMMY history. The accolades didn't end there; Lamar also announced an exclusive pre-Super Bowl interview with Apple Music, amplifying anticipation for his soon-to-be-legendary performance.
The Halftime Show, however, stirred a whirlwind of controversy, with some labeling it as one of, if not the worst, ever staged. A myriad of arguments flew from both fans and critics alike, leaving room for varying opinions, from calling it dull to whatever else one might fancy. Yet, one cannot deny that it etched an unforgettable mark on hip-hop's timeline, potentially marking the definitive end of the long-standing Drake saga on perhaps the grandest stage the world has ever seen.
Drake, with his enduring charm and prowess, still harbors the potential for a triumphant return. Yet, to reclaim his throne, he'll need to pull out all the stops. An impending collaborative project with PARTYNEXTDOOR, titled "$OME $EXY $ONGS 4 U," dropping on Valentine's Day, presents an opportunity for him to stir up some buzz. Yet, currently, he finds himself at a somewhat precarious juncture.
As for Lamar, 2025 has barely scratched the surface of his incredible feats. According to Hip Hop All Day, he's poised to add a double diamond record to his Hall-of-Fame-worthy career. This milestone-hitting record is his 2017 smash single and DAMN. track, "HUMBLE," which has officially sold 20 million units. It joins the elite ranks, being only the second song to achieve this status since Post Malone and Swae Lee's "Sunflower." Remarkably, "HUMBLE." stands as the first pure rap song to attain double diamond status, outshining numerous mainstream hits like "goosebumps," "God's Plan," and "SICKO MODE," which many would have presumed to reach this milestone first. Intriguingly, "HUMBLE." isn't the most favored Kendrick song among his fans due to its "pop rap" leanings. Nevertheless, it's an achievement deserving of utmost respect. Undoubtedly, this will not be the final awe-inspiring accomplishment Lamar will achieve in 2025.
