This year was one for the history books, as Kendrick Lamar won a Pulitzer Prize for his newest album "DAMN". This is a huge change, as all winners in that category in the past have been either of the classical or jazz genres. This is the first year that a different type of album, one of hip-hop no less won this coveted prize.

Reports said that the album "DAMN" was a unanimous choice amongst the jury in charge of picking who the awards go to. The board even stated that the album “a virtuosic song collection unified by its vernacular authenticity and rhythmic dynamism that offers affecting vignettes capturing the complexity of modern African-American life” (NYTimes). Even the other nominees express their agreement with giving the prize to Lamar and are honored to be runner-ups to such a fantastic artist. They even expressed that they are fans of the artist.

This is a huge step for the hip-hop genre, as it tends to be overlooked when it comes to awards. Lamar was up for a Grammy this year in the category "Album of the Year" for the album, "DAMN," but lost to Bruno Mars's "24K Magic". This has been a common occurrence in the Grammy world, as hip-hop artists may be nominated, but they rarely win the Grammy for the best album, the only exception being Lauryn Hill and OutKast.

The Pulitzer seemed like the last kind of Prize that would go make a Grammy sound less than it is, but it did just that when it awarded Lamar the prize. It shows a step into a more integrated kind of world and an appreciation for the lyrical story that each kind of musician tells. This step also shows that the Pulitzer acknowledges all kinds of music that deserved to be recognized, whether it be classical, jazz, or the newest inductee, hip-hop.