Kendrick Lamar Takes Center Stage at Tonight’s 77th Primetime Emmy Awards

Lead Tonight in Los Angeles, Kendrick Lamar vies for four Primetime Emmy Awards-making history as the first solo rapper ever nominated in Emmy categories-at the 77th annual ceremony airing live on CBS.

Nut Graf The Compton-born artist’s nominations for Outstanding Variety Special (Live), Outstanding Directing for a Variety Special, Outstanding Music Direction, and Outstanding Choreography (Variety/Reality) stem from his record-breaking Super Bowl LIX halftime performance on Apple Music, underscoring both his musical prowess and cultural impact.

Main Part

Outstanding Emmy Nods

  • Outstanding Variety Special (Live): For producing and headlining the Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show
  • Outstanding Directing for a Variety Special: Recognizing his creative collaboration behind the show’s visual direction
  • Outstanding Music Direction: Honoring the show’s dynamic score and musical staging
  • Outstanding Choreography (Variety/Reality): Celebrating the show’s intricate dance sequences featuring surprise guests such as SZA and Samuel L. Jackson

Historic Milestone Lamar’s four nominations not only eclipse previous rapper achievements at the Emmys but also reflect an evolving television landscape increasingly open to hip-hop artistry. His earlier Emmy triumph came in 2022 as part of the ensemble Super Bowl LVI halftime show, where he shared the stage with Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem and Mary J. Blige.

Broadcast Details The 77th Primetime Emmy Awards air live from the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles tonight, September 14, at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on CBS, with comedian Nate Bargatze presiding as host.

What’s Next As Lamar awaits the winners’ announcements, his multiple nominations highlight a landmark moment for both his career and the broader recognition of rap as a legitimate fixture in television awards. If he wins, Lamar will become the first solo male performer to claim an Emmy for a Super Bowl halftime show.