The 68th Annual Grammy Awards delivered a powerhouse night for urban music, with rap and R&B categories showcasing innovation, raw lyricism, and soulful vibes. Amid a diverse field of nominees, artists like Kendrick Lamar, Kehlani, and Leon Thomas emerged as the evening’s urban MVPs, sweeping key honors and underscoring the genres’ enduring cultural pulse.
Rap’s Royal Sweep: Kendrick Lamar Reigns Supreme
Hip-hop’s throne was firmly claimed by Kendrick Lamar, who dominated the rap field with a staggering four wins, cementing GNX as a critical darling. The Compton visionary took home Best Rap Album for GNX, a genre-bending project blending introspective bars with experimental production. He also secured Best Rap Song for the gritty “tv off” featuring Lefty Gunplay, Best Melodic Rap Performance for the haunting “luther” alongside SZA, and contributed to Best Rap Performance on Clipse’s “Chains & Whips” (with Pusha T, Malice, and Pharrell Williams), a nostalgic yet fierce collaboration that nodded to rap’s golden era. Lamar’s haul highlighted his versatility, from melodic introspection to hard-hitting posse cuts, while nominees like Cardi B (“Outside”) and Doechii added fierce competition but couldn’t dethrone the king.
In a broader nod to rap’s evolution, albums like Clipse’s Let God Sort Em Out and Tyler, the Creator’s CHROMAKOPIA contended for Album of the Year, signaling urban sounds’ mainstream crossover power.
R&B’s Soulful Renaissance: Kehlani and Leon Thomas Shine
R&B brought emotional depth and fresh voices to the forefront, with Bay Area songstress Kehlani leading the charge. She clinched Best R&B Performance and Best R&B Song for “Folded,” a vulnerable anthem co-written with Darius Dixson and others that captured heartbreak’s quiet storm. Leon Thomas, the multi-hyphenate producer-turned-solo star, matched her energy with dual victories: Best Traditional R&B Performance for the smooth “VIBES DON’T LIE” and Best R&B Album for MUTT.
Durand Bernarr rounded out the R&B triumphs with Best Progressive R&B Album for BLOOM, an eclectic fusion of funk, electronica, and soul that celebrated the genre’s experimental edge.
Latin Urban’s Global Beat: Bad Bunny’s Timely Victory
Extending urban’s reach, Bad Bunny snagged Best Música Urbana Album for his fourth Grammy in the category, delivering a poignant acceptance speech on cultural representation amid global conversations on Latinx identity. This win reinforced reggaeton and Latin trap’s Grammy foothold, blending street anthems with polished artistry.
Overall, urban genres claimed over a dozen wins across fields, with crossovers like SZA and Pharrell bridging rap and R&B. The night pulsed with performances—imagine Lamar’s meditative “luther” set against Kehlani’s raw “Folded” stage moment—proving these sounds aren’t just surviving; they’re reshaping music’s future. As the dust settles, 2026’s urban haul feels like a victory lap for authenticity in an AI-saturated era.
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