‘Generational Run’ – MLS compares Kendrick Lamar’s 2025 Grammy haul with Josef Martinez’s iconic 2018 season with Atlanta United

The 2025 Grammys were a big night for Kendrick Lamar as the rap star swept the awards show, winning five of the seven Grammy awards he was nominated for. That includes Record and Song of the Year as well as Best Rap Song, Best Rap Performance, and Best Music Video. It makes the 34-year-old one of the most awarded rap artists in the show’s history, with 22 wins and MLS has become the latest to praise the rapper.

In a post, the MLS called Lamar’s 2025 Grammy swoop a ‘Generational run’ and equated it to striker Josef Martinez’s now iconic 2018 MLS season. The now 31-year-old became the most decorated single-season player in MLS history at the end of that season, winning every individual title available to him.

Martinez’s 2018 season went down in history after the striker ended the season by winning the League MVP, All-Star Game MVP, Golden Boot, and MLS Cup Final MVP in a MLS Cup-winning season. Not only that, he also netted 35 goals in the process.

Furthermore, Martinez cemented himself as an MLS star during his spell with Atlanta, as he formerly held the record for most goals in a single season (31) and holds the record for most career hattricks in the MLS (six).

After leaving Atlanta United at the end of the 2022 MLS season, Martinez signed for Inter Miami and while he did find his footing after an injury-laden ending to Atlanta, the club opted against keeping him. That was despite the forward netting 11 goals in 23 appearances while being limited to just 13 starts for the club.

He was traded to CF Montreal and while he managed to contribute to 14 goals in 26 appearances, the club declined to take up the option to extend his time by another year. That saw him sign for the San Jose Earthquakes as a free agent in January 2025 just before the start of the 2025 MLS season.

The 31-year-old signed a one-year contract with the club and bolsters the Quakes’ front line even further after their blockbuster trade for RSL star striker Cristian "Chicho" Arango.