Kendrick Lamar Just Cleaned Up at the 2025 Grammys

A few days ago, Kendrick Lamar dominated the 2025 Grammys, taking home five awards for his hit track “Not Like Us.” He won Record of the Year, Song of the Year, Best Rap Performance, Best Rap Song, and Best Music Video. That’s a clean sweep…

His highly anticipated album, GNX, wasn’t eligible for the 2025 Grammys since it dropped too late, but expect it to make waves at the 2026 Grammys. And now, Kendrick is set to headline the Super Bowl Halftime Show, making history as the first rapper to do so while still at the peak of his career. This is an insane run. We’re witnessing one of the greatest runs in hip hop history unfold in real time.

Is Kendrick Lamar the Greatest Rapper of All Time?

Kendrick deserves every accolade coming his way. If you run through his catalog of albums, mixtapes, and guest features, it’s hard to argue against him being on the Mt. Rushmore of rap.

When it comes to GOAT talk, Kendrick can go bar for bar with any rapper—Tupac, Biggie, Jay-Z, Nas, Lil Wayne, Andre 3000, Eminem…. By the time Kendrick hangs up the mic, he might just go down as the greatest rapper of all time, with the most complete discography in hip hop history. I know this always will bring up a great debate which is surely opinionated but you can’t debate this anymore.

The First Time I Heard Kendrick Lamar

I first got into Kendrick through 2Dopeboyz, one of the biggest underground rap blogs back in the day that I used to check daily. 2Dopeboyz always brought attention to underground rappers bubbling during the blog era and they put me on Kendrick. Before he was Kendrick Lamar, he went by K-Dot, grinding through the underground mixtape scene in the late 2000s.

On December 31, 2009, he officially switched from K-Dot to Kendrick Lamar and dropped the Kendrick Lamar EP. In 2010, the buzz started growing as he prepped his breakout mixtape, Overly Dedicated. The first Kendrick track that I had on repeat was “The Heart Part 2”, the opening track on Overly Dedicated’s original release. Unfortunately, it never made it to physical copies or streaming services, likely due to sample clearance issues. A damn shame because it’s still might be my favorite Kendrick track of all time.

Once Overly Dedicated dropped in September of 2010, you just knew Kendrick was next up from the West Coast. The mixtape was a breath of fresh air and it stayed in rotation for months straight.

Kendrick’s Legendary Album Run

From that point on, it was classic project after classic project.

Section.80 (2011) – The start of something special. This mixtape was an underground rap smash. “Hol’ Up” and “ADHD” alone were something else… Too many good tracks on that mixtape.
good kid, m.A.A.d city (2012) – Certified classic, changed the rap game. “Bitch Don’t Kill My Vibe” and “Money Trees” though???
To Pimp a Butterfly (2015) – Won 5 Grammys, cultural impact beyond music. “Alright” was major and so was the fusion with jazz on that album.
DAMN. (2017) – Another 5 Grammys + a Pulitzer Prize?? Kendrick flexed many styles on the album and it flowed so well from front to back… and even back to front… that track “DUCKWORTH” is a classic.
Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers (2022) – Earned 3 more Grammys, cementing his legendary status. “Count Me Out” remains one of my top Kendrick tracks.

With GNX set to be a contender for the 2026 Grammys, Kendrick will likely surpass Kanye West in total Grammy wins and overtake Jay-Z’s all-time record of 24 Grammys by a rapper. Kendrick is sitting at 22 Grammys right now so when it’s all said and done, how many will he have? Beyonce holds the overall record with 35… Can he catch her?

At this point, Kendrick Lamar is running hip-hop, and he’s still in his prime.

The Best Kendrick Lamar Unreleased Songs

But let’s take it even deeper. How many people know about Kendrick’s unreleased songs—the ones that never made it to Spotify, Apple Music, or Tidal? These tracks got lost due to sample clearance issues, studio vaults, or just never got an official release. Most Kendrick fans likely don’t know these songs but they need to…

Here’s a list of must-hear unreleased and leaked Kendrick Lamar songs that aren’t on streaming platforms but deserve your attention. If I missed any, drop them in the comments.

Best Unreleased Kendrick Lamar Songs

“Pray” - Recorded in 2019 with production from The Alchemist. How does this track not make an album? This easily makes my top 10 Kendrick tracks list.

2. “Today” - Guessing this was recorded around the time of the Kendrick Lamar EP or Overly Dedicated back in 2009 or 2010… if anybody has more info, let me know… this track goes though… on point.

3. “Westside, Right On Time” - Figure most diehards will know this one but hey, it still remains unreleased. A nice appearance from Jeezy… 2012 drop leading up to GKMC.

4. “Look Out for Detox” - Childish Gambino on the beat… He already had “You Know Me” out which was dope in its own right but ummm… then Kendrick jumped on this… this was when Kendrick was already signed to Aftermath and the buzz was building for Dre’s album Detox which never came out.

5. “Money Without Me” - Recorded in 2011-2012 when Kendrick was working on Section 80. Almost has the same feel as the Mary J. Blige bonus track on GKMC. Regardless, this track is dope.

6. “Cartoons & Cereal” - This was a smash when it dropped. The beat along with the flow and the Gunplay chorus… too good. 2012 track that was part of the GKMC plan but got left on the cutting room floor. Most Kendrick fans know this gem though… impeccable.

7. “Don’t Understand” - Mellow vibes on this track. I always liked the laid back beats and chill Kendrick flow and this checks both boxes along with good storytelling. Early 2010’s drop on this.

8. “For the Homies” - Always loved the Kendrick flow on this one. Big Boi ATL type style right? This dropped back in 2010 and I believe it was a loosie. Beat knocks and Kendrick rides the beat well.

9. “Friends” - 2019 throwaway drumless track… Can see how this didn’t make an album but still a cool track.

10. “Little Johnny” - Jay Electronica rocked on this beat too… Seeing this dropped back in 2010 but Kendrick’s flow seems from a few years after? This is fire.

11. “My Mind Drifts” - 2011 track which finds Kendrick back in that laid back pocket where he honestly doesn’t miss.

12. “I Hate You (Letter to Death)” - I swear this track was called something else back in the early 2010’s but maybe I’m mixing something up. Good storytelling Kendrick. Here you hear the early emotional style flow around 1:45… oh wait… I think this used to be called “Don’t Take It Personal”?? Either way… worth your ears.

13. “Pure” - Rumored that this was produced by Pharrell and it was originally in consideration for the Mr. Morale album. 2019 recording with that impeccable Kendrick flow we’ve all come to love.

14. “The Heart Part 3” (feat. Ab-Soul & Jay Rock) - The Heart series is legendary and “The Heart Part 3” follows suit right where “The Heart Part 2” left off… This was to promo GKMC dropping and the beat and the vibe of the song are beautiful. Recorded in 2012. Assuming most big Kendrick fans know this one but if you’re not hip, you’re going to love it.

15. “6’7 Freestyle” - Kendrick was always known to be a huge Weezy fan and this song was a fan fave when it dropped.. .ScHoolboy Q on the track with Kung Fu Kenny. 2011 release… these Black Hippy cats were hungry AF.

16. “Control” - Hard to believe that this was unreleased right? We all know the verse… Originally slated to be on Big Sean’s album with Jay Electronica as the 3rd verse but Kendrick murked this shit… Name dropped anybody and everybody and threw flames at the whole rap game.

17. “Sore Losers” - This was one of the first tracks that hooked me onto Kendrick and Jay Rock. This was a Sore Losers were a duo out of Texas who landed great features from Jay Rock and Kendrick right at the time they were bubbling on the stove. Only the real heads know this one … 2010 ish

18. “Gotta Love Me” feat. Baby Keem - Sooooo… why isn’t this track out??? Kendrick and Baby Keem and this is really good.

19. “Makes Me Happy” - Vibes. This song right here?? No clue when this was recorded but guessing between DAMN. and Mr. Morale?

20. “Father Stretch My Hands” - Okay… I get why Kendrick didn’t make the final cut… but fam?? Kendrick murks this shit. Feel like a lot of people don’t know this version exists? Kanye, Kendrick, Cudi… Wow.

Okay… I’ll leave this best unreleased tracks from Kendrick Lamar at 20… for those looking for more, the rabbit hole is there for you… I’m sure you’ll find more gems… and again, if I missed any no brainers, drop them in the comments.

Kendrick Lamar Greatest Hits on Spotify

For casual fans looking for a Kendrick Lamar playlist on Spotify I' got you covered there too… Enjoy one of the greats fam…