Kendrick Lamar’s ‘Damn.’ Wins Album of the Year at 2018 BET Awards
Kendrick Lamar's trophy case can probably barely close at this point. After winning an American Music Award, a Grammy and even a Pulitzer Prize, K. Dot adds another shiny statue to his collection as Damn. nabs Album of the Year at the 2018 BET Awards.
The Album of the Year award was not televised, yet Kendrick joins rarified company. Last year's BET Awards ceremony—the first to include the category—found Beyoncé taking home the inaugural trophy for Lemonade. This year, Kendrick edged out SZA (Ctrl), Jay-Z (4:44), Migos (Culture II), DJ Khaled (Grateful) and Black Panther soundtrack, which Kendrick also curated.
Kendrick's Album of the Year honor is his second win of the night (and Top Dawg Entertainment's third, if you include Jay Rock's electric performance of "Win"). K. Dot also took home the award for Best Male Hip-Hop Artist.
After tonight's festivities, Kendrick has a total of 21 BET Award nominations (the video for "Humble" and the Black Panther soundtrack were also up for awards tonight), of which he's won seven. He's been even more dominant at BET's Hip-Hop Awards—Damn. won Album of the Year at that ceremony in October 2017. He's won on 18 of 38 overall nomination at the BET Hip-Hop Awards.
TDE made its mark at this year's BET Awards. Aside from the aforementioned Jay Rock performance and Kendrick Lamar's two victories, SZA also won an award for Best New Artist.
The 2018 BET Awards was full of great hip-hop moments all around, from Meek Mill's performance of the powerful, systemic racism-addressing single "Stay Woke," to Snoop Dogg celebrating Doggystyle with an extended montage, to a mega performance by Nicki Minaj that also included Big Sean, YG and 2 Chainz.
See 2 Chainz, Rick Ross, T.I. and More on the 2018 BET Awards Red Carpet