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Well, DAMN, Kung Fu Kenny is a Pulitzer Prize-winner

Kendrick Lamar is the king of hip-hop right now. His fourth album “DAMN.” was released almost exactly a year ago and was the fastest-selling album of the year. Of the 14 tracks offered, each one brought something completely new to the table. Lamar experiments with rap, blues, jazz and other styles of music, bringing forth lyrics that truly make it a work of art.

And now the 30-year-old rapper is the latest recipient of the Pulitzer Prize in music for “DAMN.” Not only is he the first rapper to ever win this award, but he is also the only person to have collected it outside of a classical or jazz recording.

From first stepping on to the large scale scene in October 2012 with “good kid, m.A.A.d. city,” to his whopping 11 Grammy nominations for “To Pimp a Butterfly,” many would say his success is a long time coming. “DAMN.” was just the cherry on top.

The song “DNA” talks about predetermined forces making a stronger impact on our lives, instead of what we are each capable of. In “XXX,” he talks about the reality of growing up in America these days.

The song “HUMBLE,” which graced the top of the charts longer than any other off the album, only speaks to Lamar’s character and how he is the same person he was before his career skyrocketed. Not only was “HUMBLE” the go-to acapella rap-along song of the summer, it was also voted Best Rap Performance, Best Rap Video and Best Rap Song at the Grammys

People argue Lamar was cheated by his Grammy loss last year because the album was so objectively vibrant and creative. No one deserved Album of the Year more than Kendrick Lamar this past year, but I guess that’s none of my business.

Lamar tells stories through his music; just listen to his words. Sure, his songs get a little dark at times, but so does life. Keeping it real is something Lamar has no problem doing, which is why his fan following is so vast.

The world is changing, and Lamar is rapping. He is leading hip-hop toward a new direction where problems are not only addressed, but also more widely received and discussed. These risks are working in his favor, and a movement is upon us.

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