[videowaywire video_id=”13341886001F480D”]
*Kendrick Lamar took his place in history on Wednesday when he accepted his 2018 Pulitzer Prize for Music during a luncheon at Columbia University.
The rapper received the honor for his 2017 album “DAMN.,” and made history as the first hip-hop artist to receive the accolade.
Variety reports Kendrick, among several other Pulitzer Prize winners and their guests at the luncheon, didn’t make a comment when he was actually handed the prize, but he said a few words about it later in a live video posted on the Pulitzer Prize Facebook profile.
“It’s an honor…,” he said. “I’ve been writing my whole life, so to get this type of recognition, it’s beautiful.”
A still from the @PulitzerPrizes livestream: CNN’s Don Lemon snaps a selfie with Pulitzer winner Kendrick Lamar. pic.twitter.com/HtwG2heIMP
— Ellie Hall (@ellievhall) May 30, 2018
Although the Compton, California native tried to keep it “humble” at the event, other attendees swarmed around his table asking for selfies, including CNN’s Don Lemon, New Yorker editor David Remnick and journalist and fellow Pulitzer Prize-winner Ronan Farrow, who included his mom Mia Farrow in a three-person selfie.
Pulitzer Prize host Dana Canedy spoke about the significance of Lamar winning the award, telling The New York Times, “We are very proud of this selection. It means that the jury and the board judging system worked as it’s supposed to – the best work was awarded a Pulitzer Prize. It shines a light on hip-hop in a completely different way. This is a big moment for hip-hop music and a big moment for the Pulitzers.”
“DAMN.” is the first album outside of the jazz and classical music genres to have been awarded a Pulitzer since the prize was launched 75 years ago.
Watch Kendrick receive his Pulitzer below:
What y’all wanted… @kendricklamar pic.twitter.com/Lbjv3xCezl
— John Archibald (@JohnArchibald) May 30, 2018
Watch the entire ceremony below:
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