Kendrick Lamar Duckworth is an American rapper and singer-songwriter. Known as "King Kendrick",his artistry and cinematic storytelling have made him an influential figure in contemporary hip hop culture,with Billboard and Vibe naming him the second-greatest rapper of all time in 2023.
American rapper Kendrick Lamar has released five studio albums,one compilation album,one extended play (EP),five mixtapes,65 singles,and three promotional singles. Lamar initially performed under the stage name K.Dot,releasing three mixtapes under that moniker:Y.H.N.I.C. (2004),Training Day (2005),and C4 (2009). He gained major attention after the release of his fourth mixtape Overly Dedicated,which was released in 2010. It was Lamar's first full-length project to be released under his birth name and fared well enough to enter the United States Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart,where it peaked at number 72.
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 also serves as the chief executive officer. His son,Anthony "Moosa" Tiffith Jr.,and Terrence "Punch" Henderson are the presidents of the label.
"A.D.H.D" is a song by American rapper Kendrick Lamar from his debut studio album,Section.80 (2011). The song was produced by frequent collaborator and Top Dawg in-house producer Sounwave,of Digi+Phonics.
"Memories Back Then" is a song by American hip hop recording artist T.I.,featuring guest appearances from fellow American rappers B.o.B and Kendrick Lamar,as well as vocals from American singer-songwriter Kris Stephens. The song,produced Maurice "Kenoe" Jordan,was initially released as a single by Hustle Gang on April 22,2013. The song debuted and peaked at number 88 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.
"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. "I" 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,taken 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.
"Never Catch Me" is a song by American music producer Flying Lotus from his fifth studio album You're Dead! (2014). The song features vocals from American hip hop recording artist Kendrick Lamar. "Never Catch Me" received a nomination for Best Dance Recording at the 58th Grammy Awards.
"For Free? (Interlude)" is a song by American rapper Kendrick Lamar. It is the second track on his third studio album To Pimp a Butterfly,released on March 15,2015. It features uptempo bebop instrumentals,with Lamar rapping over them. A music video for the song was uploaded to Vevo and YouTube on July 31,2015.
"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.
"Classic Man" is a song by Nigerian-American rapper Jidenna,released on February 3,2015,as his commercial debut single by Epic Records. The song,which features vocals from fellow American singer Roman GianArthur,was included on Janelle Monáe's Wondaland Records collective EP,The Eephus,as the lead single. In December 2015,it was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Rap/Sung Performance. The song was produced by Jidenna,alongside Nana Kwabena and Nate "Rocket" Wonder.
"The Blacker the Berry" is a song by American hip hop recording artist Kendrick Lamar. It was included as the thirteenth song on the track-listing of his third studio album To Pimp a Butterfly (2015). "The Blacker the Berry" was released as the second single from the album on February 9,2015. The song shares its title with the novel The Blacker the Berry by American author Wallace Thurman. The track was produced by Boi-1da,Terrace Martin,and KOZ. It has a chorus that features Jamaican artist Assassin. The album version also contains additional vocals provided by neo soul singer Lalah Hathaway. Upon its release,"The Blacker the Berry'" received rave reviews from contemporary music critics. However,its also elicited controversy due to Kendrick Lamar's commentary on the death of Trayvon Martin. In the United States,it peaked at number sixty-six on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart. The single has since been certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
Untitled Unmastered is a compilation album by American rapper Kendrick Lamar. It was released on March 4,2016,through Top Dawg Entertainment,Aftermath Entertainment and Interscope Records. It consists of previously unreleased demos that originated during the recording of Lamar's album To Pimp a Butterfly (2015),continuing that work's exploration of politically charged and philosophical themes,as well as its experimentation with free jazz,soul,avant-garde music,and funk styles. The album received widespread acclaim from critics,and it debuted atop the US Billboard 200.
"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. It was provided to rhythmic contemporary radio as the lead single from Lamar's fourth studio album,Damn. "Humble" is Lamar's second number-one single on the US Billboard Hot 100 after "Bad Blood" and his first as a lead artist. The song received four nominations at the 60th Annual Grammy Awards:Record of the Year,Best Rap Performance,Best Rap Song,and Best Music Video,winning in the last three categories.
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,critical accolades followed including a Pulitzer Prize for Music and the Best Rap Album at the 2018 Grammy Awards.
"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.
"Pride." is a song by American rapper Kendrick Lamar,taken from his fourth studio album Damn,released on April 14,2017. The seventh track on the album,the song was written by Lamar,Steve Lacy,Anna Wise,and Anthony Tiffith,and produced by Lacy and Tiffith,with additional production by Bēkon. "Pride" charted in multiple countries in 2017.
American rapper Kendrick Lamar has appeared in 73 music videos,including 37 featured appearances and one uncredited appearance. He has also released three short films and was featured in numerous television shows. For his debut studio album,Section.80 (2011),Lamar released music videos for his debut single "HiiiPower","Tammy's Song,"A.D.H.D",and "Rigamortis",each helmed by various directors and released in 2011. He followed with a sole music video in 2012 for "Swimming Pools (Drank)",in support of his second album,Good Kid,M.A.A.D City. He released four more music videos for the album in 2013,and made his debut as a music video director with the video for "Backseat Freestyle". He debuted as a film producer with the short film M.A.A.D (2014),which was directed by Khalil Joseph and inspired by Good Kid,M.A.A.D City.
