Pulitzer-winning rapper Kendrick Lamar's pen game has made ample contributions to hip-hop and culture with critical rhymes and complex bars, political commentary, and introspective lyrics. Lamar transformed hip-hop not only as a contemporary hyper-digital-era friendly sound but as a power, infusing it into film and socio-cultural discourse. As a keeper of chart-topping records, streams, album sales, and trophies, a gold statuette would be picture-perfect for the multi-Grammy-winning artist who effortlessly swims in the alchemy of storytelling through music and cinema. 

Even as his new projects and tours keep causing a stir and turning heads, propelling him to half EGOT status, commanding global attention, one pauses to wonder: Has Kendrick Lamar ever received an Oscar?

No, Kendrick Lamar does not have an Oscar, but he has been nominated for Best Original Song for 'All the Stars,' belonging to Marvel's Black Panther soundtrack. Lamar shared the nomination with his frequent collaborator SZA in 2019. Even with all his accolades and praise Black Panther had garnered following its culturally significant billion-dollar box-office win, Lamar lost the Oscar that night to Lady Gaga's 'Shallow' from A Star Is Born. 

While 'All the Stars' is a deeply emotive and fascinating song, it is also an ethereal experience, tying music, identity, and representation into a kind of seamless synthesis. It came out early in 2018 as the first single from 'Black Panther: The Album,' which combined pop-rap, R&B, and film-score afrofuturism. It received several big nominations, such as at the Golden Globes, Grammys, and more, cementing Lamar's place in pop culture as an artist whose works illuminate, provoke, and reflect, and not just entertain through music but also elevate mainstream film soundtracks. And the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences never fails to honor such singers. 

Kendrick Lamar's Path Shines with a Second Emmy, Courtesy of Super Bowl Halftime Directory

In the corridors of cinema's greatest admiration, there is a musical doorway that only a few have walked through, securing a spot.

Every year, singers or rappers who are the main songwriters and not just performers are bound to take home an Oscar for one of the most important categories, which is often Best Original Song. The original song has to be written specifically for a movie featured in it or during the end credits with both lyrics and music, usually connected to the film's story or emotional makeup. Singers can win Best Original Score for composing a movie's instrumental musical score. Musicians crossing over to acting are also eligible for Oscars, provided the Academy recognizes their sheer talent in the role. 

While several singers who wrote and performed their Oscar-winning songs, like Billie Eilish, Adele, and more, have won Best Original Song, only a few rappers have bagged the same award in this century. Eminem became the first solo rapper to win for Lose Yourself from his movie 8 Mile (2003), now part of Netflix's September releases. In 2006, Three 6 Mafia (with Frayser Boy) took home the award for 'It's Hard Out Here for a Pimp' from Hustle & Flow, and Common also won it for Glory from Selma (2015). Though no Oscar yet for Kendrick Lamar, being nominated for 'All the Stars' puts him in the exclusive company of some of the prolific music icons in existence.

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