Kendrick Lamar Duckworth, mostly known as Kendrick Lamar, is a lyricist, rapper, and record producer. He is considered to be the most successful and talented rap artist of all time. He has gained quick popularity due to his professional hip hop skills. Started his musical journey at a young age, Kendrick garnered great appreciation with each passing day. Initially, he used the stage name K-Dot to launch his mixtapes. He was just sixteen years of age when he signed a deal with Top Dawg Entertainment. The rapper has been performing proactively on concerts and tours.
He grabbed the attention of local hip hop circles soon after launching his mixtapes. In 2010, his popularity reached a new height after the official release of his debut retail launch ‘Overly Dedicated’. The next year he made every stunned with his debut studio music album titled ‘Section 80’. It was rolled out independently and included some of the most spectacular numbers such as ‘HiiiPoWeR’. He has a massive fan following across the United States. The guy has successfully collaborated with prominent names of the music industry including Snoop Dogg, Busta Rhymes, Terrace Martin, Bilal, Black Hippy, Dr. Dre, Thundercats, Anna Wise, and The Game.
Lamar is known by other nicknames such as King Kendrick, Cornrow Kenny, and Kung-Fu Kenny. He has fathered one child from his relationships. He worked with Interscope Records, Top Dawg Entertainment, and Aftermath Records to launch his musical creations. Kendrick’s life history is full of exciting happenings, musical tours, events, concerts, feuds, controversies, love, and much more. He has performed supporting acts for Drake and Kanye West during their international music tours.
Who are Kendrick Lamar’s Parents?
Lamar came to this world on Jun 17, 1987, to Paula Oliver (mother) and Kenny Duckworth (father). He was born and raised in Campton, California and his parents belonged to Chicago. The father of the amazing future rapper was a part of a street gang named ‘Gangster Disciples’. His father was involved in criminal activities such as assault and robbery. The young rapper was named in an honor of famous lyricist and singer Eddie Kendricks. He alongside the rest of the family suffered from financial constrictions and grew up depending upon welfare.
At the age of eight, he got influenced by his source of inspiration Dr. Dre and Tupac Shakur. This was a life-changing moment for the young kid. He made up his mind to pursue a career in the music industry, following the footsteps of his music idols. Kendrick went to McNair Elementary & Vanguard Learning Center. He used to be a loner until reached the age of seven. He also attended the Centennial High School located in Compton. He was a good student during his educational era.
Rap Career
Kendrick, at the age of 16, launched his debut musical project with the title ‘Youngest Head Nigga in Charge’. It was a mixtape containing some of the most exceptional numbers. The mixtape came out under the stage moniker K-Dot, which was his initial Pseudonym at the beginning of the professional career. This mixtape helped him sign a contract with Top Dawn Entertainment. He released a 26-song mixtape under the label in 2005.
He has worked in association with many prominent rap artists of the American hip hop industry. The rapper made memorable guest appearances in several fantastic music videos and grabbed the attention of all hip hop circles in the United States. In 2009, he came out with an amazing mixtape titled ‘C4’. This was the time when he stopped using his former stage name and started using his actual name. Subsequently, he released the EP titled ‘The Kendrick Lamar EP’ to let everyone know about his original identity. The same year he created a hip hop group and named it ‘Black Hippy’. He formed the group in collaboration with his friends Schoolboy Q, Jay Rock, and Ab-Soul.
In 2010, the amazing rapper rolled out his next extended play ‘Overly Dedicated’, which entered the Billboard Hip Hop charts. In 2011, he brought his debut studio album ‘Section.80’ in a digital form. It secured 13th spot on the US Billboard 200 Chart. He made back to back successful guest appearances in music videos created by other rap artists. This tendency helped the rapper in gaining critical acclaim and global recognition. He launched Section.80 through Top Dawn Entertainment and the album featured prominent guest appearances from stars Schoolboy Q, BJ the Chicago Kid, Colin Munroe, GLC, Ashtrobot, and Ab-Soul.
On Oct 22, 2012, the rapper launched his second full-length studio album ‘Good Kid, M.A.A.D City’ via Top Dawg Entertainment, Interscope Records, and Aftermath Entertainment. It was a major-label debut from the American rapper. His third studio album ‘To Pimp A Butterfly’ was launched on Mar 15, 2015 via the same three record labels. On Apr 14, 2017, the rapper released his fourth studio music album ‘Damn’ via Interscope Records, Top Dawn Entertainment, and Aftermath Entertainment.
