On April 16, 2018, Kendrick Lamar, a modern rapper and songwriter from Compton, California, has become the first non-jazz and non-classical artist to win the Pulitzer Prize for his album “DAMN.” Pulitzer Administrator Dana Candey says that Lamar integrates authentic, rhyming dynamics with lyrical complexity to talk about “modern African-American life” and community. Lamar has been known to convey powerful messages in his music and on stage, including the challenges he faced growing up. Since the accolade, “DAMN” sales have increased by 236% following his win.