Lizzo Wins Record Of The Year And Thanks Beyoncé In Searing Speech, Kendrick Lamar Nearly Sweeps Rap Categories

Lamar nearly swept the rap categories, also winning Best Rap Performance and Best Rap Song. The only thing he didn’t win was Best Melodic Rap Performance, losing out to “Wait for U” by Future, Drake and Tems.

“First and foremost, I want to thank my family for giving me the courage and, you know, the vulnerability to share these stories and share my truth with this album,” Lamar said in his speech, adding that Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers was the “toughest record” he ever had to make.

Lizzo, on the other hand, received the coveted award for Record of the Year, thanks to her album About Damn Time.

“This is so unexpected!” Lizzo, who beat out Beyoncé, Harry Styles, Steve Lacy, ABBA, Adele, Mary J. Blige, Kendrick Lamar, Doja Cat, and Brandi Carlile, said after accepting the award from Coldplay’s Chris Martin.

She went on to dedicate her win to the late singer Prince, saying, “When we lost Prince I decided to dedicate my life to making positive music. I wanted to make the world a better place, so I had to be that change, to make the world a better place.”

Lizzo went on to express her appreciation for Beyoncé, who she had “skipped school to see you perform” when she was a kid.

“Thank you so much. You clearly are the artist of our lives!” Lizzo told Beyoncé as she teared up.