Kendrick Lamar has recieved tons of awards and accomplishments throughout his career, but the superstar just picked up his most prestigious one yet earlier today (May 30). The Compton rapper finally received his Pulitzer Prize for his highly-successful Damn. album, which he dropped last summer.

The luncheon for this year's Pulitzer Prize winners took place at Columbia University in New York City and K. Dot was front and center for his moment in the spotlight. Joining the other distinguished professionals who earned the award for their innovative work over the past year, the "Loyalty" artist was greeted with a standing ovation while picking up his prize.

"It's an honor. I've been writing my whole life," he said. "To get this type of recognition. It's beautiful."

The Pulitzer Prize board debated many selections for this year's winners list in the musical category, but ultimately ended up choosing Kendrick's project, labeling it a "virtuosic song collection unified by its vernacular authenticity and rhythmic dynamism that offers affecting vignettes capturing the complexity of modern African-American life."

If you recall, Pulitzer Prizes are usually given to those in the fields of newspapers, magazine, online journalism and literature, marking K. Dot as the first non-classical or jazz work to get an award in music.

See some of the photos and coverage of Kendrick at the Pulitzer Prize luncheon while receiving his award below.

 

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