Kendrick Lamar made history at the 2025 Grammy Awards, winning five major categories, including Record of the Year and Song of the Year for his viral Drake diss track Not Like Us. However, while his Grammy wins dominated the headlines, it was his outfit—a full Canadian tuxedo—that ignited speculation among fans.
Was Lamar’s choice of a denim-on-denim ensemble a subtle jab at his longtime rap rival Drake, a proud Toronto native? Social media certainly thinks so.
Kendrick Lamar’s Big Night at the Grammys
The 67th Annual Grammy Awards proved to be a monumental night for Lamar. Out of his seven nominations, the Compton-born rapper took home five awards, including:
- Record of the Year (Not Like Us)
- Song of the Year (Not Like Us)
- Best Rap Song (Not Like Us)
- Best Music Video (Not Like Us)
- Best Rap Performance (Not Like Us)
His wins bring his total Grammy count to 22, solidifying his legacy as one of hip-hop’s greatest artists.
During his acceptance speech, Lamar paid tribute to Los Angeles, his hometown, acknowledging the struggles of families affected by recent wildfires:
“This is for the neck of the woods that held me down…since I was in the studio scrapping to write the best raps. I can’t give enough thanks, you know, to these places that I rolled around since high school… Most importantly, the people and the families out in the Palisades and Altadena.”
But while his words were humble, his fashion choice seemed to be saying something else entirely.
What Is a Canadian Tuxedo? The Meaning Behind Kendrick’s Outfit
A Canadian tuxedo is an outfit consisting of a denim jacket or shirt paired with denim jeans. While the look is now embraced by celebrities and designers, the term has an unusual origin.
The History of the ‘Canadian Tuxedo’
The phrase reportedly dates back to 1951, when Hollywood legend Bing Crosby was denied entry to a hotel in Vancouver, Canada, for wearing an all-denim outfit. At the time, denim was associated with laborers, not high society.
Levi Strauss & Co., seeing an opportunity, quickly designed a customized denim tuxedo for Crosby, turning the incident into a PR success. Since then, the term “Canadian tuxedo” has been used to describe head-to-toe denim looks.
Over the years, many celebrities have sported the look, including Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake (famously at the 2001 MTV VMAs), Rihanna, Elvis Presley, Tupac Shakur, Bruce Springsteen, and even Princess Diana.
Was Kendrick Lamar Throwing Shade at Drake? Fans Think So.
Given the long-standing rap feud between Kendrick Lamar and Drake, fans were quick to connect the dots.
Many theorized that Kendrick wearing a Canadian tuxedo was a deliberate dig at Drake, Toronto’s most famous rapper. The fact that Lamar swept the Grammys with a diss track aimed at Drake only fueled speculation.
Social Media Reacts: Was This a Victory Lap?
Twitter and Instagram erupted with reactions to Kendrick’s outfit choice:
- “Kendrick winning both Song of the Year and Record of the Year off a rap beef win… while wearing a Canadian tuxedo. Idk if we’ll ever witness anything like this ever again lol.”
- “‘Not Like Us’ swept the Grammys, and Kendrick collected the awards wearing a Canadian tuxedo. This is poetic.”
- “Kendrick wearing a ‘Canadian Tuxedo’ is not lost upon me.”
- “LMFAO Kendrick is funny AF. He accepted his award for the greatest diss song of all time… in a CANADIAN TUXEDO.”
- “Fashion is an unescapable part of any musical artist’s image and language. Kendrick sweeping the Grammys in a Canadian tuxedo… nothing’s accidental!”
- “Drake said ‘Kendrick opened his mouth, someone give him a Grammy’ as a diss. And then Kendrick won five. In a Canadian tuxedo. This is divine intervention.”
Even Eminem, who was nominated in some of the same categories as Lamar, had previously predicted this outcome:
“Kendrick is gonna sweep that sht. He’s going to, and he should.”*
Drake Has Yet to Respond
So far, Drake has remained silent about Kendrick’s Grammys success and the possible shade thrown his way. The Toronto rapper, who has previously downplayed their rivalry, has yet to address Not Like Us publicly.
However, given Drake’s reputation for responding through music, fans are eagerly waiting to see if he will fire back with his own diss track.
What’s Next for Kendrick Lamar?
Kendrick Lamar isn’t slowing down anytime soon. With five fresh Grammy wins under his belt, he’s gearing up for some major projects:
- Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show (February 9, 2025): K-Dot will take the stage at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans for what is expected to be a legendary performance.
- Grand National Tour (April 2025): Lamar is set to tour with SZA, bringing his latest hits to fans worldwide.
- Potential New Music: With the success of Not Like Us, could another album be on the way? Fans are hoping for more heat from the Compton rapper.
Final Thoughts: Kendrick’s Ultimate Power Move?
Whether or not Kendrick Lamar’s Canadian tuxedo was a direct jab at Drake, one thing is undeniable: he dominated the 2025 Grammys with a diss track about a rapper from Canada… while dressed like a Canadian.
Intentional or not, it’s a fashion moment that will go down in Grammy history.
Now the question remains—will Drake clap back?
