Apple Music officially declared Kendrick Lamar as the “Rapper of the Year” in 2024! To those fans who have been on this fantastic music journey with Kendrick, this is not out of the blue.
Kendrick’s single “Not Like Us” ran through popular culture, topping nearly every chart and playlist in the world. This song has taken interest from fans and critics to overdrive, from hard-hitting lyrics to a hypnotic beat-a gem added into Kendrick’s already brilliant discography.
Such recognition comes on the back of a year in which his music has surely impacted the hip-hop world, much through his ongoing beef with fellow rapper Drake. Much of Kendrick’s 2024 output has entailed records that have been outright diss records or at least had the feel of diss tracks; showcasing his lyrical prowess and competitive spirit.
He’s been able to rack up over 8 billion streams on Spotify this year alone, further proof of just how big he is, even without the release of a new project since 2022. He’s being hailed as the winner of what many call the biggest beef in hip-hop history this year alone, snagged multiple Grammy nominations for “Not Like Us,” secured one of the most coveted spots in the Super Bowl halftime performance, and his diss tracks were collectively named some of the greatest of all time. To top it all off, Apple Music just declared him Rapper of the Year.
In an interview, Kendrick shared his thinking behind the creative process to ensure he delivered strong, lyrical content that would resonate with his fan base. He mentioned that above all, it’s about being real and staying focused, even on those touchy subjects. This hard work has definitely paid off, as can be seen in this latest accomplishment.
That announcement has overtaken the fans in a wave of debate. Many have taken to social media to declare support for Kendrick, touting his lyrical capability and further impact on hip-hop. Others took to friendly debates, comparing Kendrick’s work to other top artists of the year.
If it wasn’t enough this year, this year Kendrick will release his sixth studio album sometime in late 2024 or 2025. It would be a follow-up to his last full-length project, “Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers,” and the fans are anxious for it. The success of his recent single “Not Like Us” also has them anticipating what he will do next.
Also, there are rumors of the collaborations that might be in store. Kendrick reportedly is going to work on a collaboration album, but he has pretty much kept the details of the same under wraps. Fans excitedly speculate from some exciting partnerships.
He was also set to perform for the Apple Music Super Bowl LIX halftime show on February 9, 2025, live in New Orleans. That is going to be such a milestone and a great opportunity for Kendrick to set a stage ablaze for the whole world to see. Already, fans are counting down the days!
The past few weeks have seen Kendrick tease new music on his socials. He performed a snippet of an as-yet-untitled song during the broadcast of an NBA game; what the fans have since come to call “Broccoli.” There’s even further speculation of a track with Future titled “Like That,” which further whips the anticipation over what comes next.
Kendrick Lamar being named the Rapper of the Year at Apple Music in 2024 cements his legacy as one of today’s most influential artists in hip-hop. Coming out of a great year issued with impactful music, fierce rivalries, and an extremely devoted fanbase, Kendrick does not stop raising the bar for himself. As fingers remain crossed over new music and live performances, this much is clear: Kendrick Lamar is here to stay, and he’s just getting started!
