Compton native Kendrick Lamar wins Pulitzer in music

COMPTON (FOX 11 / CNS) - Rapper and Compton native Kendrick Lamar won the 2018 Pulitzer Prize in Music Monday for his album "Damn,'' the first rap artist to ever win the accolade.

The prize has traditionally gone to classical, jazz or opera performances. But Pulitzer judges hailed Lamar's album as "a virtuosic song collection unified by its vernacular authenticity and rhythmic dynamism that offers affecting vignettes capturing the complexity of modern African-American life.''

The 30-year-old Lamar has won 12 Grammy Awards in his career. ``Damn'' won earlier this year for best rap album, while the album's single ``Humble'' won for best rap performance, rap song and music video.