This Day in History: <br />Kendrick Lamar Becomes the<br />First Rapper to Win the Pulitzer Prize April 16, 2018 Lamar was awarded the <br />Pulitzer Prize for Music for his <br />extraordinary 2017 album, 'DAMN.' It was the first time the <br />prestigious award had been granted <br />to a genre outside of classical music or jazz. According to the Pulitzer Prize administrator, <br />the decision to recognize <br />Lamar's work was unanimous. Pulitzer Prize <br />Awarding Committee Lamar grew up during the 1990s <br />in Compton, CA, surrounded by the <br />influence of artists like Tupac Shakur and Dr. Dre. His previous album efforts, <br />including 'Pitchfork,' became known <br />for their social commentary. A fellow nominee called Lamar <br />“one of the greatest living <br />American composers, for sure.”
