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