Kendrick Lamar breaks records amid Drake feud
When the story of hip-hop in the 2020s is written, Kendrick Lamar will almost certainly dominate several chapters. Already a Pulitzer Prize winner and multiple Grammy Award recipient, the Compton-born rapper continues to expand his legacy in 2025 by achieving milestones previously thought unattainable in rap. Even amid his escalating feud with Drake, Lamar has transformed controversy into cultural momentum, setting new benchmarks for commercial dominance, critical recognition, and global reach.
This year has proven to be more than a victory lap for Kendrick Lamar — it has been a coronation. With record-breaking chart runs, a Grammy sweep, a Super Bowl halftime performance, and the resumption of his ambitious world tour, the artist is reinforcing his status as one of the most influential musicians of his generation.
Kendrick Lamar’s Chart Dominance Rewrites History
The statistics tell a story of absolute control. Lamar’s collaborative single “luther” with SZA has remained at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 for 13 consecutive weeks, a feat no hip-hop track had ever achieved before. This isn’t just a quirk of streaming numbers; it is a testament to the staying power of a rap artist who knows how to connect with listeners across genres and demographics.
Industry data from Bars Analytics confirms that Lamar is the only rapper to maintain near-constant Hot 100 presence throughout 2025. His surprise album GNX delivered multiple charting hits, including “Not Like Us,” “tv off,” and “peekaboo.” These tracks helped create a self-sustaining ecosystem of success, with streaming audiences repeatedly returning to his catalog, much like pop’s biggest superstars.
The key difference is that Lamar’s achievements come without sacrificing lyrical depth. While many artists rely on formulaic hooks or TikTok virality, Kendrick Lamar has demonstrated that thought-provoking storytelling can coexist with mass-market appeal.
Kendrick’s Grammy Sweep Reinforces His Supremacy
February’s Grammy Awards ceremony effectively turned into a Kendrick Lamar showcase. The rapper collected multiple trophies across top categories, adding to his already impressive collection of accolades. More importantly, his Grammy-night performance solidified his place as the defining voice of his generation.
His performance of “Not Like Us,” a pointed lyrical strike at Drake, became one of the most talked-about moments of the evening. Critics hailed it as a daring move that blended artistry with cultural commentary. The Apple Music Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show, which took place just days later, reinforced this momentum. Viewed by over 133 million people worldwide, the halftime spectacle set new records for audience engagement and became the most-watched halftime performance in history.
For an artist who typically avoids spectacle in favor of introspection, the decision to embrace the world stage was both surprising and strategic. It aligned perfectly with his Grammy success and cemented his relevance beyond hip-hop into the global mainstream.
The Drake Rivalry Escalates to New Heights
Of course, 2025 has not only been about awards and records. The long-simmering rivalry between Kendrick Lamar and Drake has reached unprecedented levels, spilling beyond music into legal disputes.
This feud traces back to Kendrick’s legendary verse on Big Sean’s “Control” (2013), where he declared himself above his peers, including Drake and J. Cole. Over the years, both rappers downplayed direct confrontation, but subtle lyrical shots kept tensions alive.
The feud reignited in 2024 when Lamar rejected the concept of rap’s “Big Three,” effectively declaring himself the genre’s undisputed leader. This sparked a flurry of diss tracks: Kendrick’s “Not Like Us” shook the industry, while Drake responded with “Push Ups” and “Taylor Made Freestyle.”
The battle has now entered the courtroom. Drake is reportedly pursuing legal action against Universal Music Group, claiming unfair promotional tactics surrounding Lamar’s diss campaign. While the legal outcome remains uncertain, the feud has captivated fans and academics alike, drawing comparisons to rap’s most storied rivalries.
Strategic Collaborations Keep Lamar in the Spotlight
Even as a solo artist, Kendrick Lamar carefully curates his public presence. He does not flood the market with endless singles; instead, he relies on strategic collaborations to maintain visibility.
His feature on Clipse’s track “Chains & Whips” from their latest album Let God Sort Em Out exemplifies this approach. By aligning with respected peers rather than chasing fleeting trends, Lamar ensures his contributions carry weight. These collaborations also keep him culturally relevant without diluting the impact of his own projects.
It’s a delicate balance that many artists fail to achieve. For Lamar, this selective strategy reinforces the perception that every appearance has purpose — a reflection of his quality-over-quantity ethos.
The Grand National World Tour Resumes
Kendrick Lamar’s achievements extend far beyond charts and awards. His Grand National World Tour, resuming on September 23 in Mexico City, represents his most ambitious global project to date.
The tour covers South America and Mexico, regions where hip-hop’s influence continues to grow at a rapid pace. Earlier legs of the tour shattered attendance records across Europe, Asia, and North America, with critics praising his ability to craft setlists that balance fan favorites with bold new material.
Concert industry analysts expect the upcoming shows to deepen Lamar’s connection with international audiences. His stage design, choreography, and narrative-driven performances distinguish his tour from the spectacle-first approach of other mainstream acts.
Beyond entertainment, the tour generates major economic benefits for host cities, from merchandise sales to tourism boosts. It’s yet another example of how Lamar’s career transcends music and creates ripple effects across multiple industries.
Cultural Impact Beyond the Charts
What makes Kendrick Lamar’s 2025 dominance so remarkable is the cultural context. In a year where pop and country artists dominated much of the mainstream conversation, Lamar kept hip-hop firmly at the center.
The success of “luther” illustrates the power of rap and R&B collaboration, a trend that industry forecasters believe will define the next decade. By blending genres, Lamar and SZA delivered a track that resonated across demographics, proving hip-hop’s versatility in adapting to global audiences.
Critical response has been equally powerful. Lamar’s work is celebrated not just for its commercial reach but also for its intellectual depth. Universities are increasingly incorporating his lyrics into cultural studies curricula, analyzing his writing for both literary merit and sociopolitical significance. This dual recognition — popular and academic — ensures his legacy will outlast momentary trends.
Why Kendrick Lamar’s Legacy Is Secure
As 2025 progresses, Kendrick Lamar’s influence shows no signs of slowing. He is simultaneously dominating charts, winning awards, selling out arenas, and sparking cultural debates. His feud with Drake may grab headlines, but the bigger story is his ability to turn every moment — conflict or celebration — into an opportunity to expand his legacy.
From the Pulitzer Prize for DAMN to the Emmy for his Super Bowl Halftime Show, Lamar is accumulating accolades across artistic disciplines. He now stands among the very few artists to bridge commercial success, critical acclaim, and institutional recognition.
Final Thoughts
Kendrick Lamar shattering records amid his feud with Drake is not merely a footnote in music history — it is a defining narrative of the decade. His dominance on the Billboard charts, Grammy triumphs, world tour expansion, and cultural relevance confirm his standing as one of the most important artists alive today.
Hip-hop has always thrived on competition, but Lamar’s 2025 campaign demonstrates that rivalry can coexist with artistry. While the Drake feud fuels headlines, it is Kendrick’s ability to convert conflict into art that sets him apart.
In an industry where fame is fleeting, Kendrick Lamar has built a foundation that ensures his name will echo through hip-hop history. Whether on stage, in the studio, or at the center of cultural debate, Kendrick remains what he declared himself years ago: the leader of the new generation.
