Kendrick Lamar’s album DAMN. earned worldwide acclaim, and its appeal stretched far beyond rap circles.

In fact, Lamar’s work has reached such acclaim that no other rapper has touched before: DAMN. saw him awarded with the Pulitzer Prize for Music, making the Compton native the first non-jazz or classical artist to do so. He has just accepted his award at the Columbia University in New York City, where he was given a standing ovation. “It’s an honour… I’ve been writing my whole life, so to get this type of recognition – it’s beautiful,” he said.

Pulitzer’s board called the album a “virtuosic song collection unified by its vernacular authenticity that offers affecting vignettes capturing the complexity of modern African American life.” Of course, we’ll be witnessing DAMN. and other gems from Lamar’s stellar catalogue live when he arrives down under for Splendour In The Grass.

Meanwhile, see the Pulitzer action below at around the 53 minute mark:

Most excitement at Pulitzer ceremony is for Kendrick Lamar’s entrance pic.twitter.com/wOQUQBfj2E

— Michael Calderone (@mlcalderone) May 30, 2018

.@kendricklamar is in the building. “We’re both making history,” #Pulitzer Administrator @DanaCanedy told the Pulitzer music award-winner as he entered today’s prize luncheon. pic.twitter.com/Tg3cMQiLOH

— The Pulitzer Prizes (@PulitzerPrizes) May 30, 2018