Kendrick Lamar is not waiting for Saturday. Before the cameras at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium even roll for the 57th NAACP Image Awards main telecast on Feb. 28, Lamar has already cemented himself as the defining figure of this year’s ceremony — walking away from the pre-show virtual nights with three wins and a nomination for the most coveted prize in the room— Entertainer of the Year.
The numbers tell the story. Lamar received six nominations in the music and recording categories, more than any other artist at this year’s ceremony. That lead at the top of the ballot translated into early hardware, and it has only built momentum heading into the live broadcast.
Kendrick Sweeps the Pre-Show Nights
The 57th NAACP Image Awards kicked off its virtual pre-show run from Monday, Feb. 23 through Wednesday, Feb. 25, with winners announced nightly on YouTube. Lamar wasted no time.
On night two, Lamar won Outstanding Male Artist and, alongside SZA, Outstanding Music Video/Visual Album for their collaboration on luther. The win for luther was a full-circle moment — a record that defined late 2025 and became one of the most talked-about releases of the year, earning its flowers at one of Black music’s most prestigious ceremonies.
On night one, Lamar won Outstanding Short-Form Series or Special for his Apple Music Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show — a performance that captivated over 100 million viewers and became a cultural flashpoint the moment it ended. Three wins before the main show even begins. That is the kind of week Kendrick Lamar is having.
Entertainer of the Year Is Still on the Table
The biggest prize of the night remains up for grabs. The nominees for Entertainer of the Year include Cynthia Erivo, Doechii, Kendrick Lamar, Michael B. Jordan and Teyana Taylor. It would be the first win in that category for any of them — making Saturday night a genuine competition with no obvious favorite and everything to play for.
Lamar enters as the sentimental frontrunner. Between GNX, the Super Bowl halftime show, his ongoing cultural dominance, and three pre-show wins already in hand, his name looms largest over the Pasadena stage. But Doechii has had a breakout year of her own, and Teyana Taylor’s Escape Room made a deep impression on listeners and voters alike. The room will be electric when that envelope opens.
A Night That Celebrates Black Excellence
The 57th NAACP Image Awards has been a celebration of Black creativity across every category, not just music. Special honorees this year include Viola Davis, who will receive the Chairman’s Award, Colman Domingo with the President’s Award, and Salt-N-Pepa and DJ Spinderella being inducted into the Image Awards Hall of Fame. A$AP Rocky will be presented with the Vanguard Award, and the ceremony is hosted by comedian Deon Cole.
Cardi B matched Lamar’s early energy, winning three Image Awards on night two including Outstanding Female Artist and Outstanding Album for Am I the Drama? Michelle Obama added to her legacy with wins for her podcast IMO with Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson, and the film Sinners dominated the film categories throughout the week.
What Saturday Means for Lamar
The 57th NAACP Image Awards main ceremony airs live on Saturday, Feb. 28, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on BET and CBS from the Pasadena Civic Auditorium.
For Kendrick Lamar, Saturday is not about validation — he has nothing left to prove. It is about legacy. A fourth win on the main stage, especially Entertainer of the Year, would cap one of the most remarkable 12-month runs in recent music history. From Not Like Us to the Super Bowl to luther with SZA, Lamar has spent the last year reminding the world exactly who he is.
The NAACP Image Awards, this year themed around the phrase We See You, could not have picked a better moment to say exactly that to one of hip-hop’s greatest living artists.
