Kendrick Lamar

Rapper and songwriter Kendrick Lamar was born Kendrick Lamar Duckworth on June 17, 1987, in Compton, California. He was first influenced by the big names in the rap industry when he saw Tupac and Dr. Dre filming the music video for their song “California Love”. Under the name K-Dot, Kendrick Lamar released his first mixtape entitled Youngest Head Nigga in Charge (Hub City Threat: Minor of the Year) in 2003. He was only 16 years old, and landed himself a contract with Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE), working with other rappers such as Schoolboy Q and Jay Rock. In 2005, he released the mixtape Training Day, followed by C4. After gaining the attention of Lil Wayne, Kendrick Lamar released his self-titled EP in 2009, and later formed the group Black Hippy with the other members of TDE.

Kendrick Lamar would go on to release the mixtape Overly Dedicated in 2010, his album Section.80 in 2011, and good kid, m.A.A.d city in 2012. The latter album went Platinum, selling over 200,000 copies in its first week. Kendrick Lamar is known for his highest-charting tracks, including “Poetic Justice” and “Bitch, Don’t Kill My Vibe”. He later went on tour alongside Kanye West for the Yeezus Tour in 2013, and was honored that year by GQ as the Rapper of the Year.