Kendrick Lamar: 1st Rapper to Win Pulitzer Prize

U.S. rapper Kendrick Lamar has been awarded a Pulitzer Prize in Music for his critically acclaimed album “DAMN.”

RELATED: 
Kendrick Lamar Opened Grammy With Revolutionary-Themed Set

The Pulitzer Prizes called the album “a virtuosic song collection unified by its vernacular authenticity and rhythmic dynamism that offers affecting vignettes capturing the complexity of modern African-American life.”

The multi-Grammy award-winning artist is the first to win the prestigious award from a non-classical or jazz category. Lamar is the first Pulitzer-winning musician who has had a No. 1 album or gone platinum.

Miles Davis, Nina Simone, Bob Dylan, Aretha Franklin, John Coltrane, Bruce Springsteen and Carole King were given special citations.

“DAMN,” which won five gramophones, was nominated in several categories at the 2018 Grammy awards. The album won Best Rap Album, Best Rap Song (“HUMBLE.”), Best Rap Performance (“HUMBLE.”), Best Music Video (“HUMBLE.”) and Best Rap/Sung Performance (“LOYALTY.” ft. Rihanna).

Kendrick Lamar gave an enigmatic performance at the Grammy ceremony, accompanied by dancers dressed in army fatigue.

The thought-provoking set prompted comedian Dave Chappelle to comment: “Hi, I’m Dave Chappelle,” adding, “and I just wanted to remind the audience that the only thing more frightening than watching a black man be honest in America is being an honest black man in America. Sorry for the interruption.”

Lamar curated the chart-topping soundtrack for Marvel's “Black Panther.”

"He's an artist who challenges notions," director of “Black Panther" Ryan Coogler said in a recent interview. The rapper also made an appearance at the 2018 staging of Coachella.