Kendrick Lamar Duckworth (born June 17, 1987) is an American rapper and songwriter. Regarded as one of the most influential hip hop artists of his generation, and one of the greatest rappers of all time, he is known for his technical artistry and complex songwriting. He was awarded the 2018 Pulitzer Prize for Music, becoming the first musician outside of the classical and jazz genres to be honored.
Kendrick Lamar Duckworth was born on June 17, 1987, in Compton, California.[1] He is the first child of former gang hustler Kenneth "Kenny" Duckworth and hairdresser Paula Oliver.[2] Both of his parents are African Americans from the South Side of Chicago.[2] When they were teenagers, they relocated to Compton in 1984, due to his father's affiliation with the Gangster Disciples.[3] Lamar was named after singer-songwriter Eddie Kendricks of the Temptations.[4] He was an only child until the age of seven and was described as a loner by his mother.[2][5] Eventually, his parents had his two younger brothers and younger sister, businesswoman Kayla Sawyer (née Duckworth).[6] His cousins include basketball player Nick Young and rapper Baby Keem.[7][8]
Lamar and his family lived in Section 8 housing, were reliant on welfare and food stamps, and experienced homelessness.[9][10] Although he is not a member of a particular gang, he grew up with close affiliates of the Westside Pirus.[3] Despite suffering hardships, Lamar remembered having "good memories" of his childhood that sparked his interest in hip hop music, such as sneaking into his parents' house parties.[2][11] He was raised secular, although he occasionally attended church services and was taught the Bible by his grandmother.[12] He felt "spiritually unsatisfied" as a child due to the "empty" and "one-sided" nature of the sermons.[13]
After hearing a recording of his voice for the first time, Lamar became interested in rapping.[14] He was introduced to police brutality after experiencing the first day of the 1992 Los Angeles riots.[2] When he was five years old, he witnessed a murder for the first time while sitting outside of his apartment unit, as a teenage drug dealer was killed in a drive-by shooting.[2] "It done[sic] something to me right then and there," Lamar later admitted to NPR Music. "It let me know that this is not only something that I'm looking at, but it's something that maybe I have to get used to."[15] His parents nicknamed him "Man-Man" due to his precocious behavior, although he confessed it "put a stigma on the idea of me reacting as a kid sometimes—I would hurt myself and they would expect me not to cry."[16]
In school, Lamar was a quiet and observant student who excelled academically and had a noticeable stutter.[17] His first grade teacher at Robert E. McNair Elementary School encouraged him to become a writer after she heard him correctly use the word “audacity".[18] As a seventh grade student at Vanguard Learning Center, Lamar was introduced to poetry by his English teacher, Regis Inge.[19] Inge integrated the literary form into his curriculum as a response to the growing racial tensions amongst his students.[19] Through its connection to hip hop, Lamar studied rhymes, metaphors and double entendres, which made him fall in love with songwriting: "You can put all your feelings down on a sheet of paper, and they'd make sense to you. I liked that."[2][19] Instead of completing assignments for other classes, Lamar would scribe lyrics in his notebooks.[19] His initial writing was entirely profane, but it helped him manage his psychological trauma and depression, which he struggled with during his adolescence.[19][20] Inge played a vital role in his intellectual growth, often critiquing his lexicon and suggesting prompts to strengthen his prose.[19]
Lamar later attended Centennial High School.[21] He was enrolled in summer school during the tenth grade, which he dreaded because it forced him to be embroiled in a gang war.[21] Despite his efforts to avoid them, Lamar soon became heavily involved with Compton's hedonistic gang culture, which led to numerous health scares and encounters with the police.[2] He distanced himself from the lifestyle following an intervention staged by his father.[5] When he was 16, Lamar was baptized and converted to Christianity following the death of a friend.[22][23] He graduated from high school in 2005 as a straight-A student.[24][25] He flirted with the idea of studying psychology and astronomy in college, but suspended his academic pursuits to focus on his music career.[2][26]
During high school, Lamar adopted the stage name K.Dot and began freestyling and battle rapping at school.[1] His performances caught the attention of fellow student Dave Free, who traveled from Inglewood to watch him rap.[1] They quickly formed a friendship over their love of hip hop and the television sitcom Martin.[1] They recorded music together at Free's makeshift garage studio and at his older brother's Hyde Park apartment.[1] Lamar's earliest performances were held at a "super hood" comedy club and behind a tattoo parlor.[1] Free was his hype man during that time, while his older brother was his manager and disc jockey.[1] Lamar recorded five mixtapes throughout the 2000s; his first, Youngest Head Nigga in Charge (Hub City Threat: Minor of the Year), was released on April 15, 2003, through Konkrete Jungle Musik.[27] The mixtapes primarily consisted of freestyles over the production of popular hip hop songs.[27]
In a series of retrospective reviews for Rolling Stone, Mosi Reeves complimented Lamar's "unerring" sense of rhythm and timing found in Hub City Threat: Minor of the Year, but criticized his "clumsy" lyricism and that his flow was "overly beholden to ... Jay-Z and Lil Wayne".[27] Free, who was working as a computer technician, introduced the mixtape to record producer Anthony "Top Dawg" Tiffith while attempting to repair his computer.[28] Tiffith was impressed with Lamar's burgeoning abilities and invited him to partake in an audition process for entry into his newly established independent record label, Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE).[28] During his audition, Lamar freestyled for Tiffith and record executive Terrence "Punch" Henderson for two hours, a strategy that impressed Henderson but bewildered Tiffith.[5][29] He was offered a recording contract by TDE in 2005, joining Jay Rock as the label's first signings.[5] Upon signing, he purchased a minority stake in the label for an undisclosed amount.[29]
Lamar had a brief stint as a security guard when he started working on music with Jay Rock at TDE's in-house recording studio.[30][25] The bond he formed with him, Ab-Soul and Schoolboy Q led to the formation of the hip hop supergroup, Black Hippy.[31] Lamar released his second mixtape, Training Day, on December 30, 2005.[27] Reeves complimented its varied production and "well-executed" concept, which was based on the 2001 film of the same name.[27] In 2006, Lamar signed an artist development deal with Def Jam Recordings and was featured on two singles by the Game. He also heavily contributed to Jay Rock's first two mixtapes, Watts Finest Vol. 1 and Watts Finest Vol. 2: The Nickerson Files.[16][32] Lamar was ultimately let go from Def Jam after an encounter with its president and chief executive officer, Jay-Z; he later described it as "one of those situations where I wasn’t ready."[33][34] Lamar and Jay Rock released a collaborative mixtape, title No Sleep 'til NYC, on December 24, 2007.[27] Reeves thought the project was a "fun cypher session, nothing more, nothing less."[27]
2009–2011: Overly Dedicated and Section.80
Lamar's third mixtape C4, released on January 30, 2009, is a tribute project to Lil Wayne’s Tha Carter III (2008) and was supported by his co-sign.[35] Reeves felt that the mixtape was a "wrongheaded homage to a year-old, well-worn album."[27] From February to July, he toured with the Game on his LAX Tour as a hype man for Jay Rock.[36][37] Lamar disliked how his stage name diverted attention away from his true identity, and decided to retire it.[38] He opted to use his first and middle names professionally and regards the name change as part of his career growth."[39] For his eponymous debut extended play (2009),[40] Lamar eschewed the creative process of his mixtapes in favor of a project heavily focused on his songwriting over "lovely yet doleful" production.[27] Reeves described the EP as the "first standout project" of his career, praising its melancholic tone.[27] He felt that the project restored his reputation following the sting of criticism he received over C4.[27]
After striking a music publishing deal with Warner/Chappell Music,[41] Lamar released his fourth mixtape, Overly Dedicated, on September 14, 2010. It was his first project to be purchased through digital retailers.[42] Reeves described Overly Dedicated as a partial "victory lap" that marked a shift in his songwriting.[27] The mixtape peaked at number 72 on Billboard's Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.[43] Lamar served as Jay Rock's hype man for a second time during Tech N9ne's Independent Grind Tour, where Overly Dedicated was introduced to Dr. Dre.[44][45] After watching the music video for the song "Ignorance Is Bliss" on YouTube, he reached out to Lamar with hopes of working with him and Snoop Dogg on his unfinished album, Detox.[44][46] He also considered signing him to his record label, Aftermath Entertainment, and was encouraged to by artists such as J. Cole.[47][48]
Lamar began planning his second album before Section.80 was released.[63] From February to April 2012, he opened for Drake on his Club Paradise Tour.[64] He began working with J. Cole on a collaborative album around that time.[65][66] On March 8, The Fader reported that Lamar had signed a joint venture recording contract with Aftermath Entertainment and Interscope Records; under the deal, TDE continued to serve as his primary label.[67] His first commercial single, "The Recipe" featuring Dr. Dre, premiered on rhythmic crossover radio on April 2.[68]
Lamar was featured on six songs throughout the year: "YOLO" by the Lonely Island featuring Adam Levine,[95] the remix of "How Many Drinks?" by Miguel,[96] "Collard Greens" by Schoolboy Q,[97] "Control" with Big Sean and Jay Electronica,[98] "Give It 2 U" by Robin Thicke featuring 2 Chainz,[99] and "Love Game" by Eminem.[100] His performance on "Control" was described as a “wake up call” for the hip hop industry and commenced his decade-long feud with Drake.[101]Rolling Stone noted that his verse made the track one of the most important hip hop songs of the last decade.[102] Lamar was named Rapper of the Year by GQ during their annual Men of the Year edition.[103] Following the issue's release, Tiffith pulled him from performing at GQ's accompanying party and accused Steve Marsh's profile on him of containing "racial overtones".[104][105]
2014–2016: To Pimp a Butterfly and Untitled Unmastered
After his opening stint for the Yeezus Tour ended, Lamar started working on his third album.[88] He earned seven nominations at the 56th Annual Grammy Awards (January 2014), including Best New Artist, Best Rap Album, and Album of the Year for Good Kid, M.A.A.D City.[106] He was winless at the ceremony, which several media outlets felt was a snub.[107][108]Macklemore, who won Best New Artist and Best Rap Album, shared a text message that he sent Lamar after the ceremony ended, in which he apologized for winning over him.[109] The incident was the subject of widespread media attention, controversy and Internet memes.[110] During the awards ceremony, Lamar performed a mashup of "M.A.A.D City" and "Radioactive" with rock band Imagine Dragons, which was met with critical acclaim.[111][112]
Originally scheduled to arrive at a later date, To Pimp a Butterfly was released on March 15, 2015.[123] The album incorporated various genres synonymous with African American music, such as jazz, funk, and soul.[124] To capture its essence, Lamar recruited producers such as Sounwave, Pharrell Williams, Terrace Martin, and Thundercat.[125] Whitney Alford, Lamar's high school sweetheart, contributed background vocals on select tracks.[126] Other singles from the album were "The Blacker the Berry",[127] "King Kunta",[128] "Alright", and "These Walls"–all of which enjoyed moderate commercial success.[129] Selling 324,000 copies in its first week, To Pimp a Butterfly became Lamar's first number-one album on the Billboard 200 and the UK Albums Chart.[130][131]Billboard commented that "twenty years ago, a conscious rap record wouldn't have penetrated the mainstream in the way [Lamar] did with To Pimp a Butterfly. His sense of timing is impeccable. In the midst of rampant cases of police brutality and racial tension across America, he spews raw, aggressive bard while possible cutting a rug."[132]Pitchfork opined that the album "forced critics to think deeply about music."[133]
On March 1, 2017, during a cover story for T, Lamar confirmed that he was working on his fourth album, Damn.[157] He released the promotional single "The Heart Part 4" on March 23, before releasing the album's lead single "Humble" on March 30.[158][159] The song debuted at number two on the Hot 100 and reached the top spot in its second week of charting. It is Lamar's second single, and first as a lead artist, to top the chart.[160]Damn was released on April 14.[161] It utilized a more mainstream musical palette than To Pimp a Butterfly, exploring R&B and pop elements.[162]Rolling Stone described its sonics as a "brilliant combination of the timeless and the modern, the old school and the next-level."[163]Damn became Lamar's most commercially successful album. It spent four non-consecutive weeks atop the Billboard 200, marking his third consecutive number-one album, and debuted with 603,000 units sold.[164][165] All of the album's 14 songs debuted on the Hot 100, including the top-20 singles "Loyalty" and "Love".[166]Damn was the seventh best-selling album of 2017, according to the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI), while "Humble" was the sixth best-selling single of the year.[167] By June 2018, it became the first album by a rapper or solo artist to have every song featured earn a gold certification or higher from the Recording Industry Association of America.[168]
On January 4, 2018, Lamar announced that he would be curating and executive producingBlack Panther: The Album, the soundtrack from the 2018 film of the same name.[182] It was released on February 9 and was supported with three commercially successful singles: "All the Stars",[183] "King's Dead",[184] and "Pray for Me".[185][186] Lamar contributed lead and background vocals to every track on the album, regardless of credit, and produced on select songs.[187][188] Music critics consider Black Panther: The Album to be a milestone achievement, giving praise towards its lyrics and cultural significance.[189][190] It spent two consecutive weeks atop the Billboard 200,[191] and earned the most single-week streams for a soundtrack album in history.[192] Lamar opened the 60th Annual Grammy Awards with a critically acclaimed medley.[193] He won five awards during the ceremony: Damn was named Best Rap Album, "Humble" won Best Rap Performance, Best Rap Song, and Best Music Video and "Loyalty" won Best Rap/Sung Performance.[194]Damn won the Pulitzer Prize for Music on April 16, 2018, marking the first time a musical composition outside of the classical and jazz genres received the honor.[195][196]
On March 5, 2020, Lamar and Dave Free launched the creative entity PGLang, which was described at the time as a multilingual, artist-friendly service company.[216][217] In October, he signed a worldwide administration agreement with Universal Music Publishing Group.[218] Lamar announced through an August 2021 blog post that he was in the process of producing his final album under TDE, confirming rumors that emerged last year that he would be leaving to focus on PGLang.[219][220] The following week, he appeared on Baby Keem's single "Family Ties", which won Best Rap Performance at the 64th Annual Grammy Awards.[221][222] Lamar made additional contributions to Baby Keem's album The Melodic Blue by providing background vocals and appearing on the song "Range Brothers".[223] In November, he held a "theatrical exhibition of his musical eras" during his second headlining performance at Day N Vegas,[224][225] and featured on Terrace Martin's album Drones.[226] He co-headlined the Super Bowl LVI halftime show alongside Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, 50 Cent, and Mary J. Blige on February 13, 2022, which won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Variety Special (Live).[227][228]
After releasing the promotional single "The Heart Part 5",[229][230] Lamar's fifth album, Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers, was released on May 13, 2022.[231] He and Alford used the album's cover art to announce the birth of their son, Enoch.[232][233] The double album drew on jazz, R&B, trap, and soul influences;[234][235] Alford served as its primary narrator.[236] It was widely acclaimed by critics, who applauded Lamar's vulnerable songwriting and scope.[237] Every track from the album charted on the Hot 100; its three singles–"N95", "Silent Hill", and "Die Hard"–debuted in the top-10.[238] Selling 295,000 units in its first week, Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers became Lamar's fourth consecutive number-one album on the Billboard 200.[239] It later became the first hip hop album of the year to reach one billion streams on Spotify.[240]
Lamar's conflict with Drake re-escalated in March 2024 with his surprise appearance on Future and Metro Boomin's track "Like That".[255] The song spent three consecutive weeks atop the Billboard Hot 100, becoming Lamar's third number-one single and his first song to debut at the top spot.[256] From April to May, he released the Drake-aimed diss singles "Euphoria",[257] "6:16 in LA",[258] "Meet the Grahams",[259] and "Not Like Us"; all of which were either positively received or acclaimed by critics.[260] The latter installment marked the first rap song to lead the Hot 100 with a limited tracking week.[261] A celebratory one-off concert, titled The Pop Out: Ken & Friends, was held on Juneteenth.[262] On September 8, 2024, it was announced that Lamar would headline the Super Bowl LIX halftime show, marking the first time a rapper has led the performance as a solo act.[263] Three days later, he released an untitled song to his Instagram account.[264]
Lamar considers Tupac Shakur to be his biggest influence.
Tupac Shakur is Lamar's biggest influence, having impacted both his professional and personal lives.[267] One of his earliest childhood memories is watching him and Dr. Dre film the second music video for their single "California Love" with his father at the Compton Swap Meet.[11] Lamar has described himself as an "offspring" of Shakur's artistry and sociopolitical views.[268] Although some publications regard him as the Shakur of his generation,[269][270] he strives to maintain his individuality.[271]
The nature of Lamar's musical style has been described as "anti-flamboyant, interior and complex."[289] He is rooted in West Coast hip hop,[290] and has continually reinvented his sound by branching out into other genres.[291] Due to his contributions to its audience growth, through his appeal to mainstream listeners, music critics generally categorize Lamar as a progressive rap artist.[292] He suggests that his music is genreless, explaining in a 2012 interview, "You really can't categorize my music, it's human music."[293]PopDust opined that during the 2010s, a decade that was arguably defined by hip hop, Lamar constantly pushed the boundaries of what the genre could be.[294]
Lamar did not care for music production during the beginning of his career.[295] However, as he placed an emphasis on songwriting and "making material that's universal", he grew more exacting and adventurous with his compositions.[295] He is heavily involved with every aspect of his production process, including the mixing and mastering stages, and is known for working long hours in the recording studio.[296] "You gotta be hands on and know the different sounds and frequencies," Lamar explained to Variety.[295] "What makes people move, what melodies stick with you, taking the higher octaves and the lower octaves and learning how to intertwine that in a certain frequency, how to manipulate sound to your advantage."[295] Lamar chooses to work with a close-knit team of musicians, rather than constantly seek high-profile talent.[44] He has been working with his longtime producer, Sounwave, since his 2009 self-titled EP.[27]
Kendrick Lamar marked a pivotal change in Lamar's artistry. Unlike his earlier mixtapes, which consisted of freestyles over CHR and urban radio singles, the EP incorporated melancholic and "doleful" original production that emphasized his lyrics.[27] Austere jazz production was blended with alternative rap styles on Section.80,[297] with instrumentals drawing from R&B, boom bap, psychedelia, and downtempo.[298]Good Kid, M.A.A.D City abandoned the tastes of contemporary hip hop by exploring a subtle, atmospheric side of West Coast hip hop and gangsta rap.[299][300]To Pimp a Butterfly is an amalgamation of genres synonymous with African-American music, most prominently jazz, funk, and soul.[301][302] It redefined jazz rap by highlighting improvisation and soloing rather than primarily using sampling.[303][304]Minimalistarrangements are incorporated in Damn and Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers.[305][306]Damn appealed to mainstream listeners through its pop and R&B-influenced production,[307] while the scattered and distorted instrumentals of Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers was designed to make listeners feel anxious and uncomfortable.[308]
Lamar possesses a versatile tenorvocal range[318][319] and a raspy, half-shout timbre, where "his throat sounds dry and his mouth sounds wet."[320]André 3000 was the first rapper that introduced him to singing sensibilities in hip hop,[321] and he writes melody-driven songs as practice for his albums.[321] Lamar became comfortable with his vocals over time, to the point where he feels confident enough to create singing-based albums.[322]Pitchfork noticed how his harmonies on To Pimp a Butterfly never made him sound alone throughout his "desolate" performance; comparing his vocal layering to "standing in the middle, unnoticed, of a large quarrelsome crowd."[323]
Praised for his willingness to use his voice as an instrument,[324] Lamar adopts different cadences, tones, modulations, and timbres to suggest conflicting personalities, paint distinct emotions, and communicate stories using characters and personas.[325][326] His falsetto register, which he calls the "ghetto falsetto",[321] has been likened to Curtis Mayfield's.[327]MTV writes that by manipulating his voice, Lamar calls back to a lineage that runs through James Brown's foundational work in the 1960s, 1970s psychedelia, Prince's "sweaty" phantasmagoria in the 1980s, and 1990s gangsta rap.[328] He was ranked the tenth-best solo singer of the 21st century by The Times in 2023.[329]
Branded as a "master of storytelling" by The New Yorker,[326] Lamar has been referred to as one of the greatest lyricists in modern hip hop by several publications and his peers.[330][331]Pharrell Williams suggests that what makes his songwriting stand out is because he "knows how to be very disciplined with a subject matter, he knows that stickiness is important, and he knows that it has to be great."[332]American Songwriter notes that for as much as Lamar is a musician, lyricist, and emcee, he is also "a playwright, a novelist, a short story author. He's literary within the art form of music."[333] Lamar's reflective narrative songwriting pulls from a wide range of literary and cinematic techniques, such as hip hop skits and voice-overs, to allow his audience to follow internal and external storylines.[334] His fusion of various film styles and his sonic influence has elevated his works to be some of the most "consistently poignant" in hip hop, and promoted the advancement of the narrative device.[334]
As one of the most influential musicians of the 2010s decade, Lamar has been deemed a paradigm shift in contemporary hip hop and popular culture.[358][359] His discography became a catalyst in the upsurge of social conscience across multiple generations; challenging the status quo by encouraging listeners to reexamine social institutions.[360] Throughout the Black Lives Matter movement and events following the 2016 U.S. presidential election, his work has been used as protest anthems.[361] According to American studies and media scholar William Hoynes, Lamar's progressive elements places him amongst other African American artists and activists who "worked both inside and outside of the mainstream to advance a counterculture that opposes the racist stereotypes being propagated in white-owned media and culture."[362] He has been credited with reviving jazz rap and the music video as a form of social commentary.[363][364]
Lamar's music has consistently garnered critical acclaim and commercial success—a rare combination in the music industry—as well as support from artists who have paved the way for his advancement, earning him the nickname "King Kendrick".[365][366] His Pulitzer Prize win was considered a sign of the American cultural elite formally recognizing hip hop as a "legitimate artistic medium".[367] Senior artists such as Nas,[368]Bruce Springsteen,[369] Eminem,[370]Dr. Dre,[371] Prince,[372] and Madonna have praised his musicianship.[373]David Bowie's final album, Blackstar (2016), was inspired by To Pimp a Butterfly, and its producer Tony Visconti praised Lamar as a "rulebreaker" in the music industry.[374][375] Pharrell Williams called him "one of the greatest writers of our times" and likened him to Bob Dylan.[376] Lamar has also been cited as a strong influence on the works of various modern artists,[377] including BTS,[378]Dua Lipa,[379]Tyler, the Creator,[380]Roddy Ricch,[381] and Rosalía.[382]Lorde regards him as "the most popular and influential artist in modern music."[383]
Despite becoming a prominent figure in popular culture, publications have noted Lamar's unconventional approach to celebrity culture.[384] He is notoriously reserved, reluctant to publicly discuss his personal life and generally avoids using social media.[385][386] He is also decisive when engaging with mainstream media outlets, although journalists have complimented his "Zen-like" calmness and down to earth personality.[387][388] According to Lamar, he has become "so invested in who I am outside of being famous, sometimes that's all I know. I've always been a person that really didn't dive too headfirst into wanting and needing attention. I mean, we all love attention, but for me, I don't necessarily adore it."[389] His lyrics have been a topic of media scrutiny, leading to both praise and controversy.[15][390][391]
Lamar's public perception has also been influenced by the various rap feuds he has been involved with.[392][393] Although journalists unanimously declared him the winner of his highly publicized conflict with Drake,[394] some felt that his victory was pyrrhic due to the severity of accusations introduced and the spread of online misinformation.[395][396] Following the release of Good Kid, M.A.A.D City, media outlets have described Lamar as the "modern hip hop messiah".[397] Some critics dislike his "grating" political infusions,[398] causing him to be viewed as having a savior complex.[399][400] However, Lamar has declared himself to be the "greatest rapper alive" due to his personal connection to hip hop.[401] "I'm not doing it to have a good song, or one good rap, or a good hook, or a good bridge," he explained to Zane Lowe. "I want to keep doing it every time, period. And to do it every time, you have to challenge yourself and you have to confirm to yourself—not anybody else, confirm to yourself that you're the best, period. [...] That's my drive and that's my hunger, I will always have."[402]
Other ventures
Entrepreneurship
Lamar has been described as an "authentic" businessman who takes "calculated steps to establish his brand from the ground-up" and leaves nothing to chance.[403] He approaches traditional album rollouts with an unorthodox method, using creative Easter eggs and leaving cryptic messages.[404] Before releasing a studio album, Lamar shares a promotional single taken from "The Heart", a timestamp song series designed to "observe the beating pulse behind his music."[405] The vulnerable themes explored on the non-album singles have strengthened his relationship with his "inquisitive" fanbase known as Kenfolk.[405][406] His real estate portfolio includes properties in California and New York.[407][408] In 2011, Lamar crafted an original song with record producer Nosaj Thing to promote Microsoft's Windows Phone in 2011.[409] He starred alongside DJ Calvin Harris and singer Ellie Goulding in a marketing campaign for Bacardi in 2014.[410]
As a minority shareholder of TDE, Lamar was set to serve as the executive producer for the label's film division.[29] He partnered with American Express on advertising campaigns for Art Basel and Small Business Saturday,[411] and is an angel investor of the music creation platform EngineEars.[412] Lamar has also partnered with several fashion designers and outlets. As a brand ambassador, he was involved with designing sneakers for Reebok and Nike.[413][414] He developed working relationships with Grace Wales Bonner and Martine Rose; through their respective eponymous brands, they have dressed him for several public events.[415] For her Autumn/Winter 2023 collection, Twilight Reverie, Lamar worked with Bonner to create the show's soundtrack with Sampha and Duval Timothy.[416][417] Through PGLang, he composed the score and co-designed the stage for Chanel's Spring/Summer 2024 haute couture collection.[418]
Lamar has appeared in various power listings. In 2015, he was featured on Ebony's Power 100 list that honors leaders within the African American community.[452]Time included him on its annual list of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2016.[453] He has appeared on Forbes' Celebrity 100 ranking (2019),[454] and its 30 Under 30 list twice in the music category (2014 and 2018).[455][456] Lamar was included twice in Billboard's lists of the greatest rappers of all time (2015 and 2023).[457][458]Complex named him the best rapper alive twice (2013 and 2017),[459][460] and included him in their list of the 20 best rappers in their 20s thrice (2013, 2015, and 2016).[461] In May 2015, Lamar was declared a generational icon by the California State Senate for his contributions to music and philanthropy.[462] He was a grand marshal for the Compton Christmas Parade,[463] and was presented with the key to the city of his hometown for representing its evolution.[360] He served as Compton College's surprise commencement speaker on June 7, 2024.[464] Lamar is the fifth man to appear solo on the cover of Harper's Bazaar.[465]
Good Kid, M.A.A.D City, To Pimp a Butterfly, and Damn were featured in Rolling Stone's industry-voted ranking of the 500 greatest albums of all time and the 200 greatest hip hop albums of all time.[466][467]Good Kid, M.A.A.D City was additionally featured in the magazine's list of the 100 best debut albums of all time, and was named the greatest concept album ever.[468][469] It was named the seventh greatest album of all time by Apple Music in 2024.[470]To Pimp a Butterfly was ranked by several publications as one of the greatest albums of the 2010s decade,[471] while "Alright" was deemed the greatest hip hop song of the streaming era by Spotify.[472] As of February 2023, it is the top ranked album on the online encyclopedia Rate Your Music.[473]Damn is the recipient of the 2018 Pulitzer Prize for Music, the first time a musical work outside of the classical and jazz genres was honored.[474][475] Its tour companion, along with Big Steppers Tour (2022–2024), are two of the highest-grossing hip hop tours of all time.[476]
Aftermath Entertainment is an American record label founded by hip hop producer and rapper Dr. Dre in 1996. It operates as a subsidiary of Universal Music Group, and is distributed through Interscope Records.
Section.80 is the debut studio album by American rapper Kendrick Lamar. It was released on July 2, 2011, by Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE). In the years leading up to its release, Lamar produced various mixtapes under the moniker K.Dot. In 2010, Lamar released Overly Dedicated, his fourth solo mixtape. Shortly after its release, he began working on Section.80.
Good Kid, M.A.A.D City is the second studio album by the American rapper Kendrick Lamar. It was released on October 22, 2012, by Top Dawg Entertainment, Aftermath Entertainment and Interscope Records. The album features guest appearances from Drake, Dr. Dre, Jay Rock, Anna Wise and MC Eiht. It is Lamar's first major label album, after his independently released first album Section.80 in 2011 and his signing to Aftermath and Interscope the following year.
Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE) is an American independent record label. Specializing in hip hop and R&B artists, TDE is based in Carson, California. The label was founded in 2004 by record producer Anthony "Top Dawg" Tiffith, who is the chief executive officer. His son, Anthony "Moosa" Tiffith Jr., and Terrence "Punch" Henderson are the presidents of the label.
"Bitch, Don't Kill My Vibe" edited for radio as "Trick, Don't Kill My Vibe" or simply "Don't Kill My Vibe", is a song by American rapper Kendrick Lamar, from his major-label debut studio album Good Kid, M.A.A.D City (2012). The song, produced by frequent collaborator Sounwave of Top Dawg Entertainment in-house production team Digi+Phonics, heavily samples "Tiden Flyver", by Danish electronic group Boom Clap Bachelors. It was originally intended to be a collaboration with American singer Lady Gaga, but her contributions were ultimately excluded from the final recording due to timing issues. A remix of "Bitch, Don't Kill My Vibe" featuring American rapper Jay-Z was sent to radio as the album's fifth single on March 21, 2013, with the original version and another remix featuring British singer Emeli Sandé later being released.
"I" is a song by American rapper Kendrick Lamar featuring Ronald Isley of The Isley Brothers. It was released on September 23, 2014 as the lead single from Lamar's third studio album To Pimp a Butterfly. The song uses music from "That Lady", written by and originally performed by R&B group The Isley Brothers, elements from which were re-recorded rather than being directly sampled from the original record. It won two awards at the 2015 Grammy Awards: Best Rap Performance and Best Rap Song.
"King Kunta" is a song by American hip hop recording artist Kendrick Lamar, from his third album, To Pimp a Butterfly (2015). It was released as the album's third single on March 24, 2015. Lamar co-wrote the song with Thundercat, while Terrace Martin, Michael Kuhle, and Sounwave served as producers. The song features interpolations and references to lyrics written by Michael Jackson, James Brown, Fred Wesley, John Starks, Ahmad, Redfoo, and Johnny Burns, who are all credited as songwriters.
To Pimp a Butterfly is the third studio album by American rapper Kendrick Lamar. It was released on March 15, 2015, by Top Dawg Entertainment, Aftermath Entertainment and Interscope Records. The album was recorded in studios throughout the United States, with production from Sounwave, Terrace Martin, Taz "Tisa" Arnold, Thundercat, Rahki, LoveDragon, Flying Lotus, Pharrell Williams, Boi-1da, Knxwledge, and several other high-profile hip hop producers, as well as executive production from Dr. Dre and Anthony "Top Dawg" Tiffith. Guest appearances include Thundercat, George Clinton, Bilal, Anna Wise, Snoop Dogg, James Fauntleroy, Ronald Isley, and Rapsody.
"Alright" is a song by American rapper Kendrick Lamar featured on the artist's third studio album, To Pimp a Butterfly (2015). The song expresses ideas of hope amid personal struggles and features uncredited vocals in its chorus from co-producer Pharrell Williams. "Alright" was released to radio stations as the album's fourth single on June 30, 2015. Many music publications considered it among the best songs and videos of the year. "Alright" received four nominations at the 58th Grammy Awards: Song of the Year, Best Music Video, Best Rap Performance and Best Rap Song, winning the latter two. It was also nominated for a MTV Video Music Award for Video of the Year.
"These Walls" is a song by American rapper Kendrick Lamar. It was released on October 13, 2015, as the fifth and final single from his third album, To Pimp a Butterfly (2015). The track was written by Kendrick Lamar, Terrace Martin, Larrance Dopson, James Fauntleroy and Rose McKinney. It won Best Rap/Sung Performance at the 58th Annual Grammy Awards on 15 February 2016. Lamar has stated that this song is his favourite from the album.
"Humble" is a song by American rapper Kendrick Lamar. It was released on March 30, 2017, along with its music video, by Top Dawg Entertainment, Aftermath Entertainment and Interscope Records. The song was written by Lamar and producers Mike Will Made It and Pluss. The lyrics are a call to humility. It was provided to rhythmic contemporary radio as the lead single from Lamar's fourth studio album, Damn.
Damn is the fourth studio album by American rapper Kendrick Lamar, released on April 14, 2017, through Top Dawg Entertainment, Aftermath Entertainment and Interscope Records. Lamar assembled numerous artists and producers to produce the album, including executive producer and Top Dawg Entertainment label-head Anthony "Top Dawg" Tiffith, Sounwave, DJ Dahi, Mike Will Made It, and Ricci Riera, as well as further production contributions from James Blake, Steve Lacy, BadBadNotGood, Greg Kurstin, the Alchemist, and 9th Wonder, among others. It features guest appearances from Rihanna, Zacari, and U2.
"DNA" is a song by American rapper Kendrick Lamar from his fourth studio album Damn. Despite not being released as a single, the song received support at rhythmic radio after its official music video was released. The second track on the album , it was written by Lamar, while the production was handled by Mike Will Made It.
"Feel" is a song by American rapper Kendrick Lamar, from his fourth studio album Damn, released on April 14, 2017. The fifth track on the album, the song was written by Lamar and Mark Spears, a.k.a. Sounwave, and produced by Sounwave. The song features bass from bass guitarist Thundercat and vocals from Chelsea Blythe. The song originally had a music video which was never released and randomly leaked on YouTube.
"Love" is a song by American rapper Kendrick Lamar featuring American singer Zacari, taken from the former's fourth studio album Damn (2017). It was released to US rhythmic contemporary radio by Top Dawg Entertainment, Aftermath Entertainment, and Interscope Records on October 2, 2017, as the third and final single from the album. Lamar and Zacari wrote the song with its producers Teddy Walton, Sounwave, Greg Kurstin, and Anthony "Top Dawg" Tiffith.
"Fear" is a song by American rapper Kendrick Lamar, from his fourth studio album DAMN., released on April 14, 2017. The twelfth track on the album, the song was written by Kendrick and produced by The Alchemist, with additional production by Bēkon. At seven minutes and forty-one seconds, it is the longest song on the album. Although not released as a single, the song charted in multiple countries in 2017.
"Duckworth" is a song by American rapper Kendrick Lamar, taken from his fourth studio album DAMN., released on April 14, 2017. The fourteenth and final track on the album, the lyrics were written by Lamar while the music was written by record producer Patrick Douthit, known professionally as 9th Wonder, with additional production by Bēkon.
"Loyalty" is a song by American rapper Kendrick Lamar featuring Barbadian singer Rihanna from the former's fourth studio album Damn, released on April 14, 2017. The song was later sent to urban and rhythmic radio June 20, 2017, as the second single from the album. The sixth track on the album, the song was written by the artists alongside producers DJ Dahi, Sounwave, Terrace Martin, and Anthony "Top Dawg" Tiffith. The song won the Grammy Award for Best Rap/Sung Performance.
American rapper Kendrick Lamar has released five studio albums, one compilation album, one extended play (EP), one soundtrack album, and five mixtapes. His records have sold more than 17.9 million album-equivalent units worldwide, 7.5 million of which are certified in the United States. Throughout his career, he has earned four number-one albums on the US Billboard 200.
↑ Ruggieri, Melissa (May 13, 2022). "Kendrick Lamar delivers a raw, soul-baring musical odyssey on long-awaited double album". USA Today. Archived from the original on May 14, 2022. Retrieved May 14, 2022. It's also Lamar's autobiographical catch-up for fans wondering if he and fiancée Whitney Alford had a second child based on the album cover photo; references to "playin' 'Baby Shark' with my daughter" and "I'd kill for my son Enoch" would indicate yes.
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