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Kendrick Lamar

About

Kendrick Lamar Duckworth (born June 17, 1987) is an American rapper and songwriter. Known for his progressive musical styles and socially conscious songwriting, he is often considered one of the most influential hip hop artists of his generation. Born and raised in Compton, California, Lamar began his career as a teenager performing under the stage name K.Dot. He quickly garnered local attention which led to him signing a recording contract with Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE) in 2005.After becoming a founding member of the hip hop supergroup Black Hippy, Lamar dropped his stage name and started using his first and middle names professionally. In 2011, he released his debut studio album Section.80, a conscious hip hop record. The album was met with positive reviews and included his debut single "HiiiiPower". In 2012, Lamar secured a record deal with Dr. Dre’s Aftermath Entertainment, under the aegis of Interscope Records, and released his second studio album Good Kid, M.A.A.D City. The West Coast and gangsta rap influenced album garnered widespread critical recognition and commercial success, while including the singles "Swimming Pools (Drank)," "Backseat Freestyle," and "Bitch, Don't Kill My Vibe".A visit to South Africa inspired Lamar’s jazz-flavored third studio album To Pimp a Butterfly (2015). It received universal acclaim and became his first number-one album on the Billboard 200. The same year, he topped the Billboard Hot 100 for the first time with the remix of "Bad Blood" by Taylor Swift. Lamar experimented with R&B, pop and psychedelic soul in his fourth studio album Damn (2017). It spawned his first solo number-one single "Humble" and became the first non-classical and non-jazz work to be awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Music. Following a four-year hiatus, Lamar released his fifth studio album Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers (2022), which served as his swan song from TDE. He has directed and produced several music videos and films with his creative partner Dave Free, with whom he founded the creative collective PGLang.

Having sold over 70 million records in the United States alone, all of Lamar’s studio albums have been certified platinum or higher by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). He has received numerous accolades throughout his career, including 17 Grammy Awards, a Primetime Emmy Award, two American Music Awards, six Billboard Music Awards, 11 MTV Video Music Awards, a Brit Award, and a nomination for an Academy Award. He was named MTV’s Hottest MC in the Game in 2012. In 2015, Lamar received the California State Senate’s Generational Icon Award. He has been featured in listicles such as the Time 100 and Forbes 30 Under 30. Three of his studio albums were included on Rolling Stone’s 2020 ranking of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.

Articles

March 24, 2023

‘South Park’ co-creator Trey Parker to direct live-action comedy collaboration with Kendrick Lamar

Kendrick Lamar, Dave Free and Matt Stone are producers on the untitled film The post ‘South Park’ co-creator Trey Parker to direct live-action comedy collaboration with Kendrick Lamar appeared first on NME.

www.nme.com

March 21, 2023

Billie Eilish, Kendrick Lamar and The 1975 among Lollapalooza 2023 headliners

Lana Del Rey and Red Hot Chili Peppers are also among the acts topping the bill The post Billie Eilish, Kendrick Lamar and The 1975 among Lollapalooza 2023 headliners appeared first on NME.

www.nme.com

March 10, 2023

Osheaga Announces Full 2023 Lineup with Central Cee, Lil Yachty, Rema

Osheaga has announced its full lineup for its 2023 edition featuring Central Cee, Lil Yachty, and Rema. Kendrick Lamar and Billie Eilish are headlining

www.complex.com

March 7, 2023

Foo Fighters, Kendrick Lamar Lead Outside Lands Lineup

Odesza, Lana Del Rey, the 1975, and Megan Thee Stallion among the artists set for San Francisco fest

www.rollingstone.com

March 7, 2023

Primavera Sound Festival 2023: New Order announced as final headliner

They join previously confirmed headliners Depeche Mode, Blur, Kendrick Lamar and Rosalía The post Primavera Sound Festival 2023: New Order announced as final headliner appeared first on NME.

www.nme.com

February 27, 2023

Young Guru Expresses Concern Over AI-Generated Kendrick Lamar Voice

Prolific audio engineer and producer Young Guru has voiced concern over a viral clip that shows an AI-generated voice that mimics Kendrick Lamar.

www.complex.com

February 27, 2023

Metro Boomin, Caroline Polachek, Rina Sawayama and more join Open’Er 2023 line-up

Arctic Monkeys, Lil Nas X, Lizzo and Kendrick Lamar are set to headline the Polish festival this summer The post Metro Boomin, Caroline Polachek, Rina Sawayama and more join Open’Er 2023 line-up appeared first on NME.

www.nme.com

February 26, 2023

Snubs & Surprises at the 2023 NAACP Image Awards

One of the biggest surprises is that Kendrick Lamar didn’t win a thing.

www.billboard.com

February 6, 2023

Kendrick Lamar Wears Pieces From Tiffany & Co. Archives and Custom Martine Rose at Grammys

The pieces were seen when Kendrick Lamar took the stage to accept the night's Best Rap Album trophy for his 'Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers' album.

www.complex.com

February 6, 2023

Beyoncé Breaks Record for Most Wins in Grammys History

Going into music's biggest night, Beyoncé had a leading nine nominations, followed by Kendrick Lamar with eight. Now, she's made Recording Academy history.

www.complex.com

January 20, 2023

DJ Dahi Slams Leaker Who Put Unreleased Kendrick Lamar Tracks on Spotify: 'Y’all Really Dying of Thirst Out Here'

Renowned producer DJ Dahi addressed the leaks via Instagram shortly after a leaker uploaded tracks called “Pure,” “Make Me Happy,” and “Computer Love."

www.complex.com

January 17, 2023

Lizzo, Odesza and Kendrick Lamar announced to headline Governors Ball 2023

Lil Nas X, HAIM, Lil Uzi Vert, Omar Apollo, aespa, Rina Sawayama, Giveon, PinkPantheress and many more are also on the bill The post Lizzo, Odesza and Kendrick Lamar announced to headline Governors Ball 2023 appeared first on NME.

www.nme.com

October 22, 2022

Watch Kendrick Lamar Big Steppers Tour Show From Paris on 10th Anniversary of ‘Good Kid, m.A.A.d City’

The Big Steppers Tour kicked off in Milan back in June. Joining Kendrick on the livestreamed Paris show are tour guests Baby Keem and Tanna Leone.

www.complex.com

October 12, 2022

Kendrick Lamar says it was “tough” to write so personally on ‘Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers’: “I’m a private person”

He also revealed that he didn't tell family members that he rapped about them on the album, and "had to reap whatever consequences came behind that" The post Kendrick Lamar says it was “tough” to write so personally on ‘Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers’: “I’m a private person” appeared first on NME.

www.nme.com

October 11, 2022

Kendrick Lamar Says Putting Out Personal Album Mr. Morale Was ‘Tough’: But Then ‘I Thought About My Children’

The rapper told W Magazine he hoped his children could look back on the record and follow in his footsteps toward generational healing

www.rollingstone.com

October 11, 2022

Kendrick Lamar on Personal Journey Behind ‘Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers’ Album: ‘It Was Tough for Me’

An unflinching dedication to emotional honesty is at the heart of Kendrick's latest album. In a new interview, he details the process behind the art.

www.complex.com

October 5, 2022

BET Hip Hop Awards 2022: Full Winners LIst

Kendrick Lamar cleaned up with six awards while Drake won three, but none of those wins were televised

pitchfork.com

October 4, 2022

Kendrick Lamar announces 10th anniversary reissue for ‘Good Kid, M.A.A.D City’

Pre-orders for the new edition, sporting a minimalistic new cover, are available now The post Kendrick Lamar announces 10th anniversary reissue for ‘Good Kid, M.A.A.D City’ appeared first on NME.

www.nme.com

October 2, 2022

Kendrick Lamar kicks off new season of ‘Saturday Night Live’ with three-song set

He played three songs from 'Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers' and welcomed Sampha to the stage The post Kendrick Lamar kicks off new season of ‘Saturday Night Live’ with three-song set appeared first on NME.

www.nme.com

October 2, 2022

‘SNL’: Watch Kendrick Lamar Perform ‘Father Time’

The single is from the artist's recently released album Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers.

www.rollingstone.com

October 2, 2022

Watch Kendrick Lamar's Performance of "Rich Spirit," "N95," and "Father Time" on 'SNL'

Kendrick Lamar makes his third appearance on 'SNL' after performing in 2013 and 2014. This televised performance comes during a break on The Big Steppers Tour.

www.complex.com

October 2, 2022

Miles Teller Shares How He Did the "Great Balls of Fire" Scene in 'Top Gun: Maverick' During 'SNL' Monologue

The 'Top Gun: Maverick' star made his hosting debut in the series' 48th season premiere. The episode also included musical guest, Kendrick Lamar.

www.complex.com

September 29, 2022

Kendrick Lamar Calls Taz Arnold ‘My Mount Rushmore of Style'

Kendrick made the declaration on Thursday as he shared a series of Taz's bold outfit pics. The two collaborated on K-Dot's 'To Pimp a Butterfly' album.

www.complex.com

September 26, 2022

Kendrick Lamar Releases Big Steppers Tour Merch

Kendrick Lamar’s Big Steppers Tour, which kicked off back in June, is set to wrap up in December. Support on the tour has come from Baby Keem and Tanna Leone.

www.complex.com

September 20, 2022

Kendrick Lamar, Megan Thee Stallion and Willow booked as SNL music guests

Lamar kicks off the series premiere next month The post Kendrick Lamar, Megan Thee Stallion and Willow booked as SNL music guests appeared first on NME.

www.nme.com

September 20, 2022

Kendrick Lamar Announced as 'SNL' Musical Guest, Megan Thee Stallion to Host and Perform

'SNL' announced that Kendrick Lamar has been booked to perform on the sketch comedy show next month. Megan Thee Stallion has also been scheduled.

www.complex.com

September 12, 2022

Drake Leads 2022 BET Hip Hop Awards Nominations: Full List

Kanye West follows Drake with the second-most nominations (10), while Kendrick Lamar is in third place with nine nods.

www.billboard.com

September 7, 2022

TDE's Punch Talks Kendrick's "Control" Verse: 'He's Saying He's Pac and Biggie'

In an appearance on Math Hoffa’s 'My Expert Opinion' podcast, TDE president Punch broke down his interpretation of Kendrick Lamar’s iconic “Control” verse.

www.complex.com

Discs

Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers

May 13, 2022

Play on spotify

The Heart Part 5

May 8, 2022

Play on spotify

family ties (with Kendrick Lamar)

August 27, 2021

Play on spotify

The Mantra

November 14, 2018

Play on spotify

Black Panther The Album Music From And Inspired By

February 9, 2018

Play on spotify

King's Dead (with Kendrick Lamar, Future & James Blake)

January 12, 2018

Play on spotify

All The Stars (with SZA)

January 4, 2018

Play on spotify

DAMN. COLLECTORS EDITION.

December 8, 2017

Play on spotify

HUMBLE. (SKRILLEX REMIX)

September 29, 2017

Play on spotify

DAMN.

April 14, 2017

Play on spotify

untitled 07 | levitate

March 23, 2016

Play on spotify

untitled unmastered.

March 4, 2016

Play on spotify

These Walls

October 16, 2015

Play on spotify

Alright

October 16, 2015

Play on spotify

To Pimp A Butterfly

March 16, 2015

Play on spotify

Swimming Pools (Drank) [Black Hippy Remix]

March 10, 2015

Play on spotify

County Building Blues

March 10, 2015

Play on spotify

i

September 23, 2014

Play on spotify

Two Presidents

December 3, 2013

Play on spotify

Bitch, Don't Kill My Vibe (Remix)

January 1, 2013

Play on spotify

Push Thru (feat. Kendrick Lamar and Curren$y)

January 1, 2012

Play on spotify

Swimming Pools (Drank)

January 1, 2012

Play on spotify

good kid, m.A.A.d city

January 1, 2012

Play on spotify

good kid, m.A.A.d city (Deluxe)

January 1, 2012

Play on spotify

My People (feat. Jay Rock)

August 16, 2011

Play on spotify

Section.80

July 2, 2011

Play on spotify

She Needs Me [Remix] (Ringtone)

November 22, 2010

Play on spotify

Overly Dedicated

September 14, 2010

Play on spotify