Kendrick Lamar has made history by becoming the first rapper to surpass 100 million monthly listeners on Spotify. As of February 17, 2025, the Compton-born artist joined an elite group of just nine musicians worldwide to achieve this milestone, as reported by Nomusica. His rise in streaming numbers has been fueled by recent events, including his Super Bowl performance and the ongoing success of his latest releases.
The impact of Lamar’s popularity surge is undeniable. Alongside breaking streaming records, he has also made history as the first lead artist in the United States to surpass a billion streams on Spotify in 2025 with his song Not Like Us, according to Source.
Additionally, projections suggest that three of his albums have simultaneously charted in the top ten of the Billboard 200. GNX has reclaimed the No. 1 spot, while DAMN. and good kid, m.A.A.d city continue to hold strong positions, reflecting his lasting influence in the industry.
He on a legendary run
— Gabe (@gabestandsout) February 17, 2025
Lamar’s historic achievement follows a series of career milestones. His February 9 Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show in New Orleans drew massive attention, featuring a performance of his Grammy-winning hit Not Like Us and a special guest appearance from SZA. The performance received widespread acclaim and contributed significantly to his skyrocketing streaming numbers.
“He on a legendary run,” one X user wrote.
“Not even a debate anymore. Kendrick the best rapper alive,” another remarked.
“Kendrick Lamar hitting that milestone is huge. It shows how his influence goes beyond just rap—his art resonates across generations, breaking records and setting new standards,” X user stated.
However, not all reactions have been positive. Some detractors have questioned whether his recent achievements are solely due to his past work
“Who is listening to Kendrick Lamar? I have never heard anyone on my life play Kendrick. Whoooo,” a user noted.
“I’m yet to hear anyone play kendrick in real life , no bars, clubs, gym NOWHERE,” a user commented.
“Not bad for someone nobody listens to apparently,” another user commented.
However, controversy emerged when it was revealed that the NFL had issued an apology to rapper Lil Wayne for snubbing him in favor of Lamar. According to The U.S. Sun, the league regretted overlooking the New Orleans native and expressed remorse for their decision. Reports suggest that the NFL now considers their choice “a mistake,” particularly because Lamar used the performance to further his ongoing feud with fellow rapper Drake.
The tension between Lamar and Drake escalated when Lamar performed Not Like Us despite Drake previously filing a federal lawsuit against Universal Music Group (UMG). The lawsuit alleged that the song spread a “false and malicious narrative,” sparking further controversy in the industry. The U.S. Sun further reported that the NFL is determined to prevent a similar situation from occurring in the future, with a source stating:
“The same kind of mistake won’t ever happen again.”
Despite the drama, Lamar’s success remains unparalleled. Earlier this month, he secured five Grammy Awards, further solidifying his dominance in the music industry. His album GNX continues to perform strongly on streaming platforms, with multiple songs charting on the Billboard Hot 100 and the album itself reclaiming the No. 1 position on the Billboard 200.
Fans and fellow artists have flooded social media with reactions, celebrating his accomplishments. One viral post summed up the sentiment: “He on a legendary run.”