Historical Figure
Kendrick Lamar
b. 1987
American rapper and songwriter (born 1987)
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Biography
Kendrick Lamar Duckworth is an American rapper, songwriter, and record producer. Rooted in West Coast hip-hop, Lamar's music features conscious, introspective lyrics, with political criticism and social commentary concerning African-American culture. Journalists have referred to Lamar as one of the greatest rappers of all time.
In Their Own Words (5)
Lord forgive meKill him where he stand and stand over him, shake his handThen jump back in that mini van, double back to his block and blam I ain't backing down for nothingI'ma back em down like Shaq with this black 2-2-3 in my handBetter pray that this chopper jam like a radio single, manPolice radio signals sayin' that a 187 land on your cornerCoroners comfort your mama"Mama he's dead," the next morning I toasted up with my homiesWe drink and smoke marijuana, want us to change our ways? Uh-huhYou see this game we play come from uncles that raised me in ComptonAsk me what I have accomplished I don't know I don't have conscienceI just load up and start dumpin' on enemies; I'm head huntingNo sympathy, ain't no love when you in these streets just get somethingProtect ya neck cuz they comin' for sets, respect, split your onionThen chop your deck your head tumblin' like gymnasticsCause ignorance is bliss
Ignorance is Bliss , 2010
My focus hold these thoughts and dreamsControl this pen (look over your shoulder)Boldest lines in rhymes and thingsDevote my time and mind it seemsSupposed to shine, remind I'm kingProvoke the blind and bomb the fiendsThe pro's the con's, the diamond ringsThe forward time, but I'ma bringThe soul divine and cross betweenWhat's your's and mine's, the gold, the greenThe roads that show just what it meanThat grabbed Shakur and by the wingAnd fly before my vocal scream
Look Over Your Shoulder (2020). , 2020
So today I laid in my bed, stared at the ceilin'Closed my eyes, then asked myself how I was feelin'I analyzed on how a saint can play the villainIs my life coincidental or just God willin'?
His Pain (2012). , 2012
The caterpillar is a prisoner to the streets that conceived itIts only job is to eat or consume everythingAround it, in order to protect itself from this mad cityWhile consuming its environment theCaterpillar begins to notice ways to surviveOne thing it noticed is how much theWorld shuns him, but praises the butterflyThe butterfly represents the talent,The thoughtfulness, and the beauty within the caterpillarBut having a harsh outlook on life the caterpillar sees theButterfly as weak and figures outA way to pimp it to his own benefitsAlready surrounded by this mad city the caterpillarGoes to work on the cocoon which institutionalizes himHe can no longer see past his own thoughtsHe's trappedWhen trapped inside these walls certain ideas take roots,Such as going home, and bringing back new concepts to this mad cityThe result?Wings begin to emerge, breaking the cycle of feeling stagnantFinally free, the butterfly sheds light on situations thatThe caterpillar never considered, ending the internal struggleAlthough the butterfly and caterpillar areCompletely different, they are one and the same.
Mortal Man. , 2015
Where was your presence, where was your support that you pretend?You ain't no brother, you ain't no disciple, you ain't no friendA friend never leave Compton for profit or leave his best friendLittle brother, you promised you'd watch him before they shot himWhere was your antennas, on the road, bottles and bitchesYou faced time the one time, that's unforgivenYou even FaceTimed instead of a hospital visitYou thought he would recover, wellThe surgery couldn't stop the bleeding for realThen he died, God himself will say "you fuckin' failed"You ain't try
Alright. , 2015
Timeline
The story of Kendrick Lamar, told in moments.
Born Kendrick Lamar Duckworth in Compton, California. He grew up on welfare. As a kid he watched Tupac and Dr. Dre film the "California Love" video from his father's shoulders.
Good Kid, M.A.A.D City dropped. It became the longest-charting hip hop studio album on the Billboard 200. Rolling Stone later named it the greatest concept album of all time. He was 25.
To Pimp a Butterfly fused hip hop with jazz, funk, and soul. It debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. He recorded parts of it in South Africa. The album opens with a poem he reads to Tupac's ghost.
Won the Pulitzer Prize for Music for Damn. He was the first musician outside classical and jazz to receive it. The committee called it "a virtuosic song collection." He was 30 years old.
Headlined the most-watched Super Bowl halftime show in history. His Grand National Tour with SZA became the highest-grossing co-headlining tour of all time. He holds 27 Grammy Awards, more than any rapper ever.
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