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Kendrick Lamar wins Pulitzer Prize for music

Kendrick Lamar - Level 0

Kendrick Lamar is the first rapper to win the Pulitzer Prize for music. He won for his album "DAMN". The 30-year-old songwriter rapped about being black in the USA. His songs became well known after police shootings of black people. Pulitzer said his album was a masterly song collection about "the modern African-American life".

The Pulitzer Prize for music started in 1943. Kendrick Lamar is the best selling musician to win it. Classical musicians usually win. Pulitzer said the prize went to "the best work". They said the album "shines a [new] light on hip-hop." Sky News said Lamar won for his "deep" lyrics and his mix of different musical styles.

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Kendrick Lamar - Level 1

Kendrick Lamar is the first non-classical or jazz musician to win the Pulitzer Prize for music. Lamar won for his album "DAMN". The 30-year-old songwriter rapped about the reality of being black in the USA. Songs like "The Blacker the Berry" became well known after the police shootings of black people in America. Pulitzer said the album was a masterly song collection about "the modern African-American life". Lamar has not commented yet on his award.

The Pulitzer Prize for music started in 1943. Kendrick Lamar is the first rapper and the best selling musician to win it. Classical musicians usually win. Pulitzer said: "The best work was awarded a Pulitzer Prize....It shines a light on hip-hop in a completely different way." Sky News said Lamar won: "for his deep lyrical content...and his profound mix of hip hop, spoken word, jazz, soul, funk, poetry and African sounds."

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Kendrick Lamar - Level 2

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The American rapper Kendrick Lamar is the first non-classical or jazz musician to win the Pulitzer Prize for music. The award is for musicians who create "distinguished" music. Lamar won for his album "DAMN". The 30-year-old songwriter rapped about the reality of being black in the USA. He wrote songs like "Alright" and "The Blacker the Berry" that became very well known after the police shootings of black people in America. The Pulitzer board said the album was a masterly song collection that captured "the modern African-American life". Lamar has not yet commented on his award.

The Pulitzer Prize is for achievements in journalism, literature, and music. It started in 1917 and the first prize for musical composition was in 1943. Kendrick Lamar is the first rapper and the most commercially successful musician to win it. Classical musicians usually get it. The Pulitzer committee said: "We are very proud....It means that...the best work was awarded a Pulitzer Prize....It shines a light on hip-hop in a completely different way." Sky News said Lamar won: "for his deep lyrical content...and his profound mix of hip hop, spoken word, jazz, soul, funk, poetry and African sounds."

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11 online activities    |    8-page printable   (PDF)

Kendrick Lamar - Level 3

The American rapper and songwriter Kendrick Lamar has become the first non-classical or jazz musician to win the prestigious Pulitzer Prize for music. The annual award is given to musicians who have created a "distinguished musical composition". Lamar won it for his album "DAMN". The 30-year-old Lamar wrote and rapped about the reality of life as a black man in the USA. He wrote songs like "Alright" and "The Blacker the Berry". These have become very well known since the police shootings of many black people in America. The Pulitzer board said the album was a "virtuosic song collection" that captured "the modern African-American life". Mr Lamar has not yet commented on his award.

The Pulitzer Prize is an award for achievements in journalism, literature, and musical composition. It started in 1917 to honour news reporting. The first prize for musical composition was awarded in 1943. Kendrick Lamar is the first rapper to win the award and the most commercially successful musician to receive it. The prize is usually given to classical musicians. The Pulitzer committee said: "We are very proud of this selection. It means that...the best work was awarded a Pulitzer Prize." It added: "It shines a light on hip-hop in a completely different way." Sky News said: "Lamar has won...for his deep lyrical content...and his profound mix of hip hop, spoken word, jazz, soul, funk, poetry and African sounds."

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