Kendrick Lamar's 2025 Tour Includes Billboard's Top R&B/Hip-Hop Artist Of The Year Award

Kendrick Lamar has received multiple accolades in 2025. The Compton rapper was named Billboard’s Top R&B/Hip Hop Artist of the Year due to his music’s consistent performance on the charts throughout the year.

His album GNX, released on November 22, 2024, has maintained significant momentum since its launch. According to Billboard, the award designation was based on his performance on the weekly Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums and Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs charts from October 26, 2024, to October 18, 2025.

Much of Lamar’s success on Billboard can be attributed to his single “luther,” which features SZA. The track, sampling Luther Vandross, was produced by Sounwave, Jack Antonoff, and others, and became a major hit throughout 2025. By June, it set a record for the longest-running No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot R&B/Hip Hop Songs chart with a 23-week duration.

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The GNX album debuted at No. 1 on the Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums chart, maintained that position for seven weeks, and stayed within the Top 10 for much of the year. It includes several charting singles such as “tv off,” “peekaboo,” and “squabble up.” Additionally, the track “Not Like Us,” which addresses Drake, also performed well on the charts.

In addition to commercial success, Kendrick Lamar was a prominent figure in Hip Hop culture during the year. He headlined the halftime show at the NFL’s Super Bowl in February, which brought his talents to a worldwide audience and earned him an Emmy. His “Grand National Tour” with SZA was successful, often selling out stadiums while featuring special guests throughout its praised performances. The tour began in April, and the Australian leg is currently ongoing.

For the upcoming year, Kendrick Lamar has received nine Grammy Award nominations, including Album of the Year.