Kendrick Lamar has won the Pulitzer Prize for music for his 2017 album Damn.

He joins a roll call of former winners who include Steve Reich, Ornette Coleman, Samuel Barber and Aaron Copland, but no rock, pop or rap artists – until now.

“The time was right,” said Pulitzer Prize Administrator Dana Canedy, speaking after the winners were announced. “We are very proud of this selection. It shines a light on hip-hop in a completely different way. This is a big moment for hip-hop music and a big moment for the Pulitzers.”

The Pulitzer board called Damn “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 May 2018 issue of Uncut is now on sale in the UK – with Johnny Marr on the cover. Elsewhere in the issue, you’ll find exclusive new interviews with John Fogerty, Dan Auerbach, Shirley Collins, Unknown Mortal Orchestra, John Prine and many more. Our free 15-track CD features 15 tracks of this month’s best new music, featuring Kacy & Clayton, Laura Veirs, Wye Oak, Cath & Phil Taylor, Mouse On Mars, Josh T. Pearson, A Place To Bury Strangers and Drinks.