Kendrick Lamar wins early Grammy award in race against Jay-Z

Kendrick Lamar has scooped an early Grammy award in his race against hip-hop veteran Jay-Z.

Lamar won in the music video category for his track HUMBLE., beating Jay-Z’s The Story Of O.J. during the pre-televised ceremony on Sunday afternoon.

The pair will face off at the 60th ceremony, being held in New York City, with Jay-Z leading the way for nominations with eight.

Lamar follows close behind with seven and both are up for the top honours of record of the year and album of the year.

Musicians have started to arrive on the red carpet wearing white roses in a display of solidarity with the anti-sexual harassment Me Too movement.

The symbolic move was proposed earlier this week by music executives to support the movements that followed the revelations starting with movie mogul Harvey Weinstein’s downfall.

British talent were left out of the major categories but Ed Sheeran’s Divide is up for best pop vocal album while his track Shape Of You is nominated for best pop solo performance.

He faces Coldplay in the album category while the band is also nominated for best pop group performance for their collaboration with The Chainsmokers on Something Just Like This.

Other British nominees include singer-songwriter Laura Marling and Damon Albarn’s Gorillaz for best alternative album.

The main event will be hosted by James Corden from 7.30pm local time, 12.30am on Monday in the UK.