Kendrick Lamar has secured a record-breaking 10 nominations at the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs), cementing his dominance as one of the year’s biggest artists. The ceremony will take place in September at the UBS Arena in Elmont, New York.
According to Hot 97, MTV released the nominees list on Tuesday, with Lamar earning nods in top categories including Artist of the Year, Video of the Year (Not Like Us), Best Collaboration (Luther with SZA), Best Hip Hop (Not Like Us), Best Album (GNX), Best Direction, Best Cinematography, Best Editing, and Best Choreography.
The rapper’s diss track Not Like Us, the explosive climax of his viral 2024 feud with Drake , scored him more than six nominations alone.
Not Like Us had already swept the 2025 Grammy Awards, winning Record of the Year, Song of the Year, Best Rap Performance, Best Rap Song, and Best Music Video.
Lamar also delivered a show-stopping performance of it during the Super Bowl LIX halftime show.
Drake will go head-to-head with Lamar in the Best Hip Hop category with his single Nokia, setting the stage for another round of rivalry.
Lamar’s other recognised works include GNX, his critically acclaimed album, and Luther, his celebrated collaboration with SZA.
His success follows a stellar run at the 2025 BET Awards in June, where he led with 10 nominations and took home major wins, including Album of the Year, Best Collaboration, and Best Male Hip Hop Artist.
Only Lady Gaga, with 12 nominations, and Bruno Mars, with 11, have more nods this year. Sabrina Carpenter and Rosé follow closely with eight nominations each, while Ariana Grande has seven.