Rapper Kendrick Lamar has won the Pulitzer Prize for music for his album “Damn.” It is the first time work outside of the classical and jazz genres has been recognized in that category. The Pulitzer board described the album as a “virtuosic song collection unified by its vernacular authenticity and rhythmic dynamism that offers affecting vignettes capturing the complexity of modern African American life.” “Damn,” released on April 14, 2017, is Lamar’s fourth studio albumIn January “Damn” won the Grammy for best rap album and was among the nominees for album of the year. Lamar’s win is a first for any pop music genre, he is not the first non-classical or jazz musician to be recognized by the Pulitzer board. Hank Williams (2010) and Bob Dylan (2008) are among the most recent musicians who have received special awards.
Editorial credit: Christian Bertrand / Shutterstock.com
