Why Kendrick Lamar's Pulitzer Prize for DAMN. Was a Cultural Revolution for Hip-Hop
Kendrick Lamar: The Pulitzer Prize-Winning Rapper Who Changed Everything In April 2018, the world of music and academia experienced a seismic shift. The Pulitzer Prize board, for the first time in its more than 100-year history, awarded its prestigious Prize for Music to a hip-hop artist. The recipient was none other than Kendrick Lamar, for his groundbreaking 2017 album, DAMN. This was more than just a win; it was a cultural revolution that shattered long-held conventions and solidified hip-hop's place as a legitimate and vital American art form. This article explores the profound impact of this historic moment, examining why DAMN. was the album to break the mold and what the win means for the future of music. The Historical Context: A Prize for the "High Arts" Since its inception in 1917, the Pulitzer Prize has been a beacon of excellence in journalism, literature, and the arts. The Music Prize, specifically, had a very traditional history. From ...