The Compton-Native Makes History

Anyone who pays attention to current music more than likely knows Kendrick Lamar (and if you don’t, you better go listen now). He stormed onto the music scene with his debut studio album in 2011, Section.80. But, Lamar had a series of five stellar mixtapes before the first studio album. Fast forward to 2018, just seven years later, and Kendrick Lamar is now a Pulitzer Prize winner for his 2017 album, DAMN. This album featured other big name artists, like Rihanna and U2, and went after some of the most heated issues our society is currently facing. Lamar used his platform as an artist and spoke the truth, and he truly inspired the nation.

The 30-year-old is not only the first rapper to win the award since the Pulitzers expanded to music in 1943, but he is also the first winner who is not a classical or jazz musician. It’s a coveted honor that has never really seemed within reach, as no rapper has ever taken home this prize. But, if anyone could do it, we aren’t shocked it’s Kendrick Lamar. Dana Canedy, the administrator of the prizes, shared her excitement on Monday after it was announced that Lamar would receive the honor:

“The time was right,” Canedy said in an interview. “We are very proud of this selection. It means that the jury and the board judging system worked as it’s supposed to — the best work was awarded a Pulitzer Prize. It shines a light on hip-hop in a completely different way. This is a big moment for hip-hop music and a big moment for the Pulitzers.”