Kendrick Lamar

Kendrick Lamar is one of the most talented rappers of his generation. He's often described as hip-hop's storyteller. A wordsmith who also draws from the rich traditions of Black American music, such as jazz, soul, and funk. Albums like 2012's "Good Kid, MAAD City," 2015's "To Pimp a Butterfly," 2017's "Damn," and 2022's "Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers" contain superb lyrics while also offering a wealth of musical talent.

His connection to music began early. Kendrick Lamar Duckworth was born on June 17, 1987, in South Los Angeles. His parents named him after Eddie Kendricks, one of the lead singers of the legendary Motown group The Temptations. Yet, a bright future as an artist seemed far off. The young Kendrick Lamar grew up in an environment dominated by poverty and gang-related crime. He was briefly swept away by it, but his passion for music became his salvation.

He was still in high school when, under the name K. Dot, he attracted attention as a promising rapper. It wasn't long before he released a series of mixtapes, further increasing his profile in the California hip-hop scene. In 2011, his debut, Section. 80, was released, which truly established Kendrick Lamar's name. This promise was fulfilled with Good Kid, MAAD City, on which he put his own unique, adventurous spin on hip-hop. Audiences saw just how good he was live during Drake's 2012 tour, where Kendrick Lamar was one of the opening acts. In 2014, he also hit the road with Eminem.

It's a prelude to 2015's How To Pimp A Butterfly, which was hailed upon its release as one of the most important albums of the year. Its profound lyrics, surprising arrangements, and rich musical influences made it a milestone of modern hip-hop. In 2015, he also scored a hit with the remix of Taylor Swift's Bad Blood, which also earned him an award at the MTV Video Music Awards. In the years that followed, Kendrick Lamar continued to expand his horizons as a rapper, songwriter, live performer, activist, film composer, businessman, and much more. His recent albums, "Damn" and "Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers," demonstrate that Kendrick Lamar's life thankfully still revolves around music.