Kendrick Lamar's 4 Most Explosive Grammy Performances (And The 2025 Moment That Shocked Everyone)

Kendrick Lamar’s Grammy performances are not just musical sets; they are cultural statements, often blending high-concept artistry with raw, uncompromising political commentary. As of the current date, December 10, 2025, his appearances on the Grammy stage have cemented his status as one of Hip Hop’s most vital and essential artists, consistently delivering moments that transcend the awards show format. His history with the Recording Academy is a saga of critical acclaim, culminating in a historic run at the 67th Annual Grammy Awards in 2025 for his viral track "Not Like Us." While his acceptance speeches for Record of the Year and Song of the Year made headlines, it is his prior, ambitious live performances that truly define his legacy on music's biggest night.

A Comprehensive Look at Kendrick Lamar's Iconic Grammy Performance History

Kendrick Lamar Duckworth, known globally as K-Dot, has used the Grammy stage as a platform for challenging the status quo and showcasing the depth of his conceptual albums. Each appearance is meticulously crafted, turning a simple performance into a theatrical, cinematic event.

• Full Name: Kendrick Lamar Duckworth
• Born: June 17, 1987
• Birthplace: Compton, California, U.S.
• Genre: Hip Hop, West Coast Hip Hop, Conscious Hip Hop
• Active Years: 2003–present
• Labels: Top Dawg Entertainment, Aftermath Entertainment, Interscope Records, PGLang
• Debut Studio Album: *Section.80* (2011)
• Breakthrough Album: *good kid, m.A.A.d city* (2012)
• Pulitzer Prize: Music (2018) for *DAMN.*
• Total Grammy Wins (as of 2025): Over 17
• Notable Collaborators: Dr. Dre, SZA, J. Cole, U2, Imagine Dragons, Pharrell Williams

1. The Unlikely Rock-Rap Fusion: 2014 Grammy Awards

Kendrick Lamar’s first major Grammy performance came in 2014, following the critical success of his album *good kid, m.A.A.d city*. The performance was a high-octane mash-up that surprised many viewers. He joined forces with the rock band Imagine Dragons for a dynamic remix of their hit "Radioactive" and his own classic track "m.A.A.d city." The collaboration was a bold statement, bridging the gap between rock and rap genres on a mainstream stage. The energy was palpable, with a dramatic, stripped-down rock arrangement that emphasized the intensity of Lamar’s lyrical delivery. This performance served as a powerful introduction to his live capabilities for a broader audience, immediately setting a high bar for his subsequent Grammy appearances. It signaled that a new, genre-defying force had arrived.

2. The Political Firestorm: 2016 Grammy Awards

Widely considered his most iconic and politically charged performance, the 2016 Grammy Awards show was transformed into a theatrical protest. Performing a medley of tracks from his masterpiece *To Pimp a Butterfly* (TPAB), Lamar delivered a visceral and unforgettable segment. The set began with him chained in a prison cell, transitioning into a fiery, tribal dance scene. The imagery was stark, directly calling out the American prison industrial complex and systemic racism. He performed powerful tracks like "The Blacker the Berry" and the Grammy-winning anthem "Alright." The stage design culminated in a map of Africa, with Lamar performing in front of a giant pyre, a symbol of rebirth and resistance. Critics hailed it as a "politically charged jazz thunderstorm," a transcendent moment that proved the depth of TPAB’s message. The performance remains one of the most searched Grammy rap performances in Google history.

3. The Star-Studded, Explosive Opener: 2018 Grammy Awards

Kendrick Lamar was tapped to open the 60th Annual Grammy Awards in 2018, a testament to his rising influence and the critical success of his album *DAMN.* This performance was a high-octane, theatrical spectacle featuring multiple collaborators. He kicked off the show with a medley of songs from *DAMN.* and other TDE tracks, including "DNA.," "XXX.," and "King's Dead." The set was punctuated by the appearance of U2’s Bono and The Edge, who contributed to the performance of "XXX.," and comedian Dave Chappelle, who offered spoken-word interludes. The visual storytelling was intense, featuring dancers in red hooded sweatshirts, symbolizing a unified, powerful movement. Chappelle’s commentary, notably his line "The only thing more frightening than watching a black man be honest in America is being an honest black man in America," added a layer of socio-political weight to the performance. It was a powerful, intense, and dramatic opening that solidified his reputation for using the Grammy stage for more than just entertainment.

4. The Shocking Silence: The 2025 Grammy Moment

The 67th Annual Grammy Awards in 2025 delivered Kendrick Lamar’s biggest night in terms of wins, but a surprising twist in his performance history. Lamar dominated the major categories for his viral, chart-topping diss track, "Not Like Us." The song, which became a cultural phenomenon and one of the biggest rap hits of the decade, secured him wins for Record of the Year, Song of the Year, Best Rap Song, Best Rap Performance, and Best Music Video. Despite the massive success and cultural relevance of "Not Like Us," which was the most talked-about song of the year, Kendrick Lamar did not perform the track during the ceremony. This non-performance was a major talking point, creating a 'shocking silence' that dominated post-show analysis. After a history of delivering powerful, live-action political and artistic statements, the decision to only accept his awards—and not perform the song that took over the world—was a move that only added to his mystique. It was an intentional moment of restraint, perhaps a statement that the music and the wins spoke loudly enough on their own.

The Topical Authority of Kendrick’s Grammy Moments

Kendrick Lamar's Grammy performances are a masterclass in topical authority, weaving together a complex tapestry of themes, collaborators, and musical entities. The recurring themes of social justice, the Compton experience, and the complexities of the Black American identity are central to his work. His performances are not isolated events but extensions of his album narratives, from the autobiographical storytelling of *good kid, m.A.A.d city* to the jazz-infused protest of *To Pimp a Butterfly* and the introspection of *DAMN.* The inclusion of high-profile entities like U2 and Imagine Dragons on the Grammy stage highlights his ability to transcend genre barriers, while his political messaging, often referencing the prison-industrial complex and police brutality, ensures his art remains deeply relevant. His choice of songs, including "Alright," "King's Dead," and the cultural behemoth "Not Like Us," represents the evolution of his sound and his impact on both the music industry and the broader cultural conversation. His Grammy appearances are a historical record of a decade of artistic and political evolution in Hip Hop.