Kendrick Lamar’s 5th Grammy Win for “Not Like Us” Celebrated by Dr. Dre & Lucian Grainge Amid Drake’s Australia Tour
BRENTWOOD, CA - FEBRUARY 10: Lucian Grainge, Chairman & CEO of Universal Music Group, Jimmy Iovine, Chairman of Interscope-Geffen-A&M, Akon and Dr. Dre attend the Universal Music Group Chairman & CEO Lucian Grainge's annual Grammy Awards viewing party on February 10, 2013 in Brentwood, California. (Photo by Jeffrey Mayer/WireImage)
The 2025 Grammy Awards will be remembered as a history, competition, and achievement night. Kendrick Lamar cemented his status as a generational icon by clinching his fifth Grammy.
Kendrick Lamar’s Historic 5th Grammy Win: “Not Like Us” Makes Waves
Kendrick Lamar‘s ‘Not Like Us’, a searing critique of systemic inequality and personal resilience, resonated deeply with the Recording Academy, earning the Compton-born lyricist his fifth Grammy. The track created by DJ Mustard, Sounwave, and Sean Momberger took over the 2024 charts and sparked worldwide discussions.
According to Aol.com, Lamar’s victory against heavyweights such as Beyoncé, Billie Eilish, Sabrina Carpenter, Taylor Swift, and Post Malone, to name a few, highlighted his unparalleled storytelling and cultural impact.
“We gonna dedicate this one to the city — Compton, Watts, Long Beach, Inglewood, Hollywood, out to the Valley, the IE, San Bernadino — this is my neck of the woods that held me down since I was a young pup, since I was in the studio scrapping to write the best raps and all that, to do records like these,” he told the crowd. “I can’t give enough thanks to these places that I’ve rolled around since high school, most importantly the people and the families out in the Palisades and Altadena, this the true testament that we can continue to restore the city. We gonna keep rocking.”
Dr. Dre and Lucian Grainge’s Iconic High-Five: A Symbol of Hip-Hop’s Power
The most significant moment of the night was when Dr. Dre and UMG CEO Lucian Grainge gave each other a high five, which photographers captured during the celebration. As evidenced by the gesture, through Aftermath and TDE’s joint venture, UMG has provided strategic support for Lamar’s visionary projects over the years.
The Bigger Picture: Awards vs. Tours in 2025’s Music Landscape
Lamar’s Grammy glory and Drake’s tour dominance reflect today’s industry dynamics. Tours and streaming numbers are key to financial success, while accolades like Grammys validate artistic impact. Building a legacy can be achieved through both Lamar’s win, which was supported by UMG’s global infrastructure. Meanwhile, Drake is on tour and in a legal battle with his label, UMG. Due to Lamar’s single ‘Not Like Us,’ “to hold UMG accountable for knowingly promoting false and defamatory allegations against him.”
According to Drake’s legal team, this is not about the rap battle between Drake and Lamar, “UMG wants the public to believe that this is a fight between rappers, but this lawsuit is not brought against Kendrick Lamar. This lawsuit reveals the human and business consequences to UMG’s elevation of profits over the safety and well-being of its artists, and shines a light on the manipulation of artists and the public for corporate gain,”
Adding “Not Like Us, “ falsely accuses Drake of being a pedophile and calls for violent retribution against him.” “falsely accuses Drake of being a pedophile and calls for violent retribution against him.”
Conclusion
Kendrick Lamar’s fifth Grammy win for Not Like Us was met with resounding celebration from industry titans, including Dr. Dre and UMG chairman Lucian Grainge. These celebrations underscored the track’s cultural impact and Lamar’s continued dominance in hip-hop. Dr. Dre, a longtime supporter and collaborator, praised Lamar’s artistry and the song’s influence, while Grainge highlighted UMG’s commitment to championing groundbreaking artists. Their celebrations came amid heightened industry tensions.
Drake’s lawsuit against UMG over what he claims are false and damaging accusations added another layer of controversy to the ongoing rap feud. Yet, during legal battles and lyrical warfare, Lamar’s Grammy triumph was a defining moment, reinforcing his stature as one of the most influential voices in music today.
