“K.DOT”

Kendrick Lamar Duckworth was born on June 17, 1987, in Compton, California, named after Eddie Kendricks of The Temptations. Growing up in Section 8 housing, Kendrick and his family faced homelessness while navigating the challenges of gang violence and police brutality in their community. His seventh-grade teacher, Mr. Inge, sparked his love for poetry and creative writing, leading Kendrick to process his experiences through rhymes and metaphors.

By high school, Kendrick adopted the name K-Dot, releasing his first mixtape, Y.H.N.I.C. (2003), which landed him a deal with Top Dawg Entertainment. Joining the hip-hop collective Black Hippy with Ab-Soul, Jay Rock, and ScHoolboy Q, Kendrick’s talent caught the attention of Dr. Dre, who signed him to Aftermath Entertainment.

His major-label debut, good kid, m.A.A.d city (2012), was a critical and commercial success, featuring hits like “Swimming Pools (Drank)” and “Poetic Justice.” Lamar’s artistry reached new heights with To Pimp a Butterfly (2015), blending jazz, funk, and spoken word. The album won a Grammy for Best Rap Album, and his live performance of “The Blacker the Berry” and “Alright” at the 2016 Grammys became a cultural moment.

In 2017, DAMN. elevated Kendrick’s legacy, earning him Grammys and making history as the first hip-hop artist to win the Pulitzer Prize for Music. The Pulitzer board praised DAMN. as “a virtuosic song collection unified by its vernacular authenticity.” That same year, Lamar curated and performed on the Black Panther soundtrack, further solidifying his cultural influence.

Kendrick returned in 2022 with Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers, a double album exploring themes of self-reflection, generational trauma, and growth. The same year, he launched his own label, pgLang, with Dave Free, ending his partnership with Top Dawg Entertainment.

In February 2025, he will headline the Super Bowl 59 halftime show at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana.

HELLA INSPIRED.