View source for Kendrick Lamar

{{Short description|American rapper and songwriter (born 1987)}}
{{For|his self-titled EP|Kendrick Lamar (EP){{!}}''Kendrick Lamar'' (EP)}}
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{{Use American English|date=May 2022}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2022}}
{{Infobox person
| name               = Kendrick Lamar
| image              = Pulitzer2018-portraits-kendrick-lamar.jpg
| alt                = A man in a dress shirt and prominent metal necklace looks camera left and smiles.
| caption            = Lamar at the [[2018 Pulitzer Prize]]s
| birth_name         = Kendrick Lamar Duckworth
| birth_date         = {{Birth date and age|1987|06|17|}}
| birth_place        = [[Compton, California]], U.S.
| education          = [[Centennial High School (Compton, California)|Centennial High School]]
| alias              = {{hlist|K.Dot|Oklama|Man-Man|Kung-Fu Kenny|Certified Boogeyman}}
| occupation         = {{flatlist|
* Rapper
* singer
* songwriter
* producer
* director
* actor
* entrepreneur
}}
| years_active       = 2003–present
| organization       = [[PGLang]]
| works              = {{flatlist|
* [[Kendrick Lamar discography|Discography]]{{efn|For his work with [[Black Hippy]], see [[Black Hippy#Discography|Black Hippy discography]].}}
* [[List of songs recorded by Kendrick Lamar|songs]]
* [[Kendrick Lamar videography|videos]]
* [[List of Kendrick Lamar live performances|performances]]
}}
| partner            = Whitney Alford ({{abbr|eng.|engaged}} 2015)
| children           = 2
| relatives          = {{plainlist|
* [[Baby Keem]] (cousin)
* [[Nick Young (basketball)|Nick Young]] (cousin)
}}
| awards             = [[List of awards and nominations received by Kendrick Lamar|Full list]]
| module             = {{Infobox musical artist <!-- See WP:WikiProject Musicians -->|embed=yes
| background   = solo_singer
| genre        = {{flatlist|<!-- See "Artistry" section for references -->
* [[West Coast hip hop]]
* {{nowrap|[[progressive rap]]}}
* [[jazz rap]]
* [[conscious hip hop]]
}}
| instruments     = {{flatlist|
* Vocals
}}
| label        = {{flatlist|
* [[Interscope Records|Interscope]]
* [[Top Dawg Entertainment|Top Dawg]]
* [[Aftermath Entertainment|Aftermath]]
* [[PGLang]]
}}
| past_member_of    = [[Black Hippy]]
| website = {{URL|oklama.com}}
}}
}}

'''Kendrick Lamar Duckworth''' (born June 17, 1987) is an American rapper and songwriter. Often regarded as [[Billboard and Vibe's 50 Greatest Rappers of All Time|one of the greatest rappers of all time]], he is the only musician outside of the [[Classical music|classical]] and [[jazz]] genres to be awarded the [[Pulitzer Prize for Music]]. His inclusion of [[social commentary]] and [[political criticism]] in his songwriting has influenced a rise in [[social conscience]] within [[Millennials|his generation]].

Lamar began releasing music under the [[stage name]] '''K.Dot''' while he was attending high school. He signed with [[Top Dawg Entertainment]] (TDE) in 2005, where he co-founded the hip hop [[Supergroup (music)|supergroup]] [[Black Hippy]]. Following the success of his [[Alternative hip hop|alternative rap]] debut album ''[[Section.80]]'' (2011), Lamar secured a joint contract with [[Dr. Dre]]'s [[Aftermath Entertainment]] and [[Interscope Records]]. He rose to prominence with his [[gangsta rap]]-influenced second album ''[[Good Kid, M.A.A.D City]]'' (2012) and its [[top 40]] singles "[[Swimming Pools (Drank)]]", "[[Poetic Justice (song)|Poetic Justice]]" and "[[Bitch, Don't Kill My Vibe]]". It is the [[Billboard 200#Most weeks on the chart|longest-charting hip hop studio album]] on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]], spending over ten consecutive years on the chart.

Inspired by a visit to South Africa, Lamar embraced jazz and [[G-funk]] styles on his third album, ''[[To Pimp a Butterfly]]'' (2015). It became his first of four consecutive number-one albums in the U.S., and was one of the most critically acclaimed albums of the [[2010s in music|2010s]]. Lamar's work on the remix of [[Taylor Swift]]'s "[[Bad Blood (Taylor Swift song)|Bad Blood]]" garnered his first number-one song on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]]. His critical and commercial success continued with his [[Contemporary R&B|R&B]] and [[Pop music|pop]]-leaning fourth album ''[[Damn (Kendrick Lamar album)|Damn]]'' (2017), yielding his second chart-topping single "[[Humble (song)|Humble]]". The [[double album]] ''[[Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers]]'' (2022) concluded Lamar's tenure with TDE and Aftermath. His [[Drake–Kendrick Lamar feud|2024 feud]] with [[Drake (musician)|Drake]] spawned the number-one songs "[[Like That (Future, Metro Boomin and Kendrick Lamar song)|Like That]]" and "[[Not Like Us]]".

Lamar has received [[List of awards and nominations received by Kendrick Lamar|various accolades]] throughout his career, including one [[Primetime Emmy Awards|Primetime Emmy Award]], one [[Brit Awards|Brit Award]], four [[American Music Awards]], six [[Billboard Music Awards|''Billboard'' Music Awards]], 11 [[MTV Video Music Awards]] (including two [[MTV Video Music Award for Video of the Year|Video of the Year]] wins), 17 [[Grammy Awards]] ([[Grammy Award milestones#Most Grammys won by a rapper|the third-most won by a rapper]]), and 29 [[BET Hip Hop Awards]] (the most won by any artist). ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' listed him as one of the [[Time 100|100 most influential people in the world]] in 2016. Two of his [[concert tours]], [[the Damn Tour]] (2017–2018) and [[the Big Steppers Tour]] (2022–2024), are amongst the highest-grossing rap tours in history. Three of his works were included in ''[[Rolling Stone]]''{{'}}s 2020 revision of [[Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time|the 500 greatest albums of all time]]. Outside of music, Lamar co-founded the creative company [[PGLang]] and ventured into film with his creative partner, [[Dave Free]]. He has worked with various charities and advocates for [[racial equality]] and [[mental health]] awareness.

== Life and career ==
=== Early life ===
Kendrick Lamar Duckworth was born on June 17, 1987, in [[Compton, California]].<ref name="Jackson">{{Cite news |last=Jackson |first=Mitchell S. |author-link=Mitchell S. Jackson |date=December 27, 2022 |title=Kendrick Lamar's New Chapter: Raw, Intimate and Unconstrained |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/12/27/magazine/kendrick-lamar-dave-free.html |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230107010429/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/12/27/magazine/kendrick-lamar-dave-free.html |archive-date=January 7, 2023 |access-date=May 19, 2023 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> He is the first child of Kenneth "Kenny" Duckworth, a former [[Gang|gang hustler]] who previously worked at [[KFC]],<ref name="Eells" /> and Paula Oliver, a hairdresser who previously worked at [[McDonald's]].<ref name="Eells" /> Both of his parents are [[African Americans]] from the [[South Side, Chicago|South Side of Chicago]].<ref name="Eells" /> When they were teenagers, they relocated to Compton in 1984, due to his father's affiliation with the [[Gangster Disciples]].<ref name="Edwards">{{Cite magazine |last=Edwards |first=Gavin |date=January 9, 2015 |title=Billboard Cover: Kendrick Lamar on Ferguson, Leaving Iggy Azalea Alone and Why 'We're in the Last Days' |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/kendrick-lamar-billboard-cover-story-on-new-album-iggy-azalea-police-violence-the-rapture-6436268/ |url-status=live |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |language=en-US |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211125023601/https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/kendrick-lamar-billboard-cover-story-on-new-album-iggy-azalea-police-violence-the-rapture-6436268/ |archive-date=November 25, 2021 |access-date=April 27, 2023}}</ref> Lamar was named after singer-songwriter [[Eddie Kendricks]] of [[the Temptations]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Did You Know Kendrick Lamar Was Named After One Of The Temptations?|url=https://www.xxlmag.com/news/2013/09/know-kendrick-lamar-named-one-temptations/|last=Miranda J|website=XXL|date=September 18, 2013|language=en|access-date=May 29, 2020|archive-date=April 23, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230423123105/https://www.xxlmag.com/news/2013/09/know-kendrick-lamar-named-one-temptations/|url-status=live}}</ref> He was an only child until the age of seven and was described as a loner by his mother.<ref name="Eells">{{cite magazine |last=Eells |first=Josh |date=June 22, 2015 |title=The Trials of Kendrick Lamar |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/features/the-trials-of-kendrick-lamar-cover-story-20150622 |url-status=live |magazine=Rolling Stone |pages=40–45 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160217002720/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/features/the-trials-of-kendrick-lamar-cover-story-20150622 |archive-date=February 17, 2016 |access-date=February 17, 2016}}</ref><ref name="Hopper">{{Cite web |last=Hopper |first=Jessica |date=October 9, 2012 |title=Kendrick Lamar: Not Your Average Everyday Rap Savior |url=https://spin.com/2012/10/kendrick-lamar-not-your-average-everyday-rap-savior/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304193143/spin.com/2012/10/kendrick-lamar-not-your-average-everyday-rap-savior/ |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |access-date=April 27, 2023 |website=Spin}}</ref> Eventually, his parents had his two younger brothers and younger sister, businesswoman Kayla Sawyer ([[Birth name|née]] Duckworth).<ref>{{cite web |last=Muhammad |first=Latifah |title=Kendrick Lamar Buys His Sister A New Car For Graduation |url=https://www.vibe.com/music/music-news/kendrick-lamar-buys-his-sister-a-new-car-for-graduation-516093/ |date=June 3, 2017 |url-status=live |access-date=September 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210802230333/https://www.vibe.com/music/music-news/kendrick-lamar-buys-his-sister-a-new-car-for-graduation-516093/ |archive-date=August 2, 2021 |website=Vibe}}</ref> His cousins include basketball player [[Nick Young (basketball)|Nick Young]] and rapper [[Baby Keem]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Williams |first=Aaron |date=August 24, 2021 |title=Baby Keem Announces 'Family Ties' Featuring His Cousin Kendrick Lamar |url=https://uproxx.com/music/baby-keem-family-ties-kendrick-lamar/ |access-date=July 19, 2023 |website=UPROXX |language=en-US |archive-date=July 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230719192405/https://uproxx.com/music/baby-keem-family-ties-kendrick-lamar/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Palladino |first=Paul |date=October 31, 2012 |title=Interview: Nick Young Talks Style, His Cousin Kendrick Lamar and His Experience With a Fire Extinguisher |url=https://www.complex.com/sports/a/paul-palladino/interview-nick-young-talks-style-his-cousin-kendrick-lamar-and-his-experience-with-a-fire-extinguisher |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230722104321/https://www.complex.com/sports/a/paul-palladino/interview-nick-young-talks-style-his-cousin-kendrick-lamar-and-his-experience-with-a-fire-extinguisher |archive-date=July 22, 2023 |access-date=March 13, 2024 |website=Complex |language=en-us}}</ref>

[[File:LA Riots - aftermath (159598182).jpg|thumb|Lamar experienced the [[1992 Los Angeles riots]] during his childhood.|left]]
Lamar and his family lived in [[Section 8 (housing)|Section 8]] housing, were reliant on [[welfare]] and [[Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program|food stamps]], and experienced [[homelessness]].<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Pearce |first=Sheldon |date=October 26, 2020 |title=Kendrick Lamar and the Mantle of Black Genius |url=https://www.newyorker.com/culture/cultural-comment/kendrick-lamar-and-the-mantle-of-black-genius |url-status=live |magazine=The New Yorker |language=en-US |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201217075236/https://www.newyorker.com/culture/cultural-comment/kendrick-lamar-and-the-mantle-of-black-genius |archive-date=December 17, 2020 |access-date=April 27, 2023}}</ref>{{sfn|Thomas|2019|p=51–66}} Although he is not a member of a particular gang, he grew up with close affiliates of the [[Pirus|Westside Pirus]].<ref name="Edwards" /> Despite suffering hardships, Lamar remembered having "good memories" of his childhood that sparked his interest in [[hip hop music]], such as sneaking into his parents' [[House party|house parties]].<ref name="Eells" /><ref name="Greenburg">{{Cite web |last=Greenburg |first=Zack O'Malley |date=November 14, 2017 |title=Kendrick Lamar, Conscious Capitalist: The 30 Under 30 Cover Interview |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/zackomalleygreenburg/2017/11/14/kendrick-lamar-conscious-capitalist-the-30-under-30-cover-interview/ |access-date=April 27, 2023 |website=Forbes |language=en |archive-date=June 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230622210418/https://www.forbes.com/sites/zackomalleygreenburg/2017/11/14/kendrick-lamar-conscious-capitalist-the-30-under-30-cover-interview/ |url-status=live }}</ref> He was raised [[Secularity|secular]], although he occasionally attended church services and was taught the [[Bible]] by his grandmother.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ugwu |first=Reggie |date=February 3, 2015 |title=The Radical Christianity Of Kendrick Lamar |url=https://www.buzzfeed.com/reggieugwu/the-radical-christianity-of-kendrick-lamar |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160408011610/buzzfeed.com/reggieugwu/the-radical-christianity-of-kendrick-lamar |archive-date=April 8, 2016 |access-date=September 25, 2023 |website=BuzzFeed |language=en}}</ref> He felt "spiritually unsatisfied" as a child due to the "empty" and "one-sided" nature of the [[sermon]]s.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Zisook |first=Brian |date=April 28, 2017 |title=Kendrick Lamar Responds to DJBooth Article About 'DAMN' Album |language=en |website=DJBooth |url=https://djbooth.net/features/2017-04-28-kendrick-lamar-god-response |access-date=July 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180217190125/djbooth.net/features/2017-04-28-kendrick-lamar-god-response |archive-date=February 17, 2018}}</ref>

After hearing a recording of his voice for the first time, Lamar became interested in [[rapping]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Harris |first=Christopher |date=May 1, 2015 |title=Kendrick Lamar Recalls When He First Wanted To Rap |url=https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.33671/title.kendrick-lamar-recalls-when-he-first-wanted-to-rap |access-date=October 18, 2023 |website=HipHopDX |language=en |archive-date=November 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231124032041/https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.33671/title.kendrick-lamar-recalls-when-he-first-wanted-to-rap |url-status=live }}</ref> He was introduced to [[police brutality]] after experiencing the first day of the [[1992 Los Angeles riots]].<ref name="Eells" /> When he was five years old, he witnessed a murder for the first time while sitting outside of his apartment unit, as a teenage drug-dealer was killed in a [[drive-by shooting]].<ref name="Eells" /> "It done{{sic}} something to me right then and there," Lamar later admitted to [[NPR Music]]. "It let me know that this is not only something that I'm looking at, but it's something that maybe I have to get used to."<ref name="NPR 2015">{{Cite web |last=Greene |first=David |date=December 29, 2015 |title=Kendrick Lamar: 'I Can't Change The World Until I Change Myself First' |url=https://npr.org/2015/12/29/461129966/kendrick-lamar-i-cant-change-the-world-until-i-change-myself-first |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160401232629/http://www.npr.org/2015/12/29/461129966/kendrick-lamar-i-cant-change-the-world-until-i-change-myself-first |archive-date=April 1, 2016 |access-date=April 27, 2023 |website=NPR Music}}</ref> His parents nicknamed him "Man-Man" due to his [[wiktionary:precocious|precocious]] behavior, although he confessed it "put a stigma on the idea of me reacting as a kid sometimes—I would hurt myself and they would expect me not to cry."<ref name="Hiatt">{{Cite magazine |last=Hiatt |first=Brian |date=August 9, 2017 |title=Kendrick Lamar: The Best Rapper Alive on Bono, Mandela, Stardom and More |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/kendrick-lamar-the-rolling-stone-interview-199817/ |url-status=live |magazine=Rolling Stone |language=en-US |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180716164506/rollingstone.com/music/music-features/kendrick-lamar-the-rolling-stone-interview-199817/ |archive-date=July 16, 2018 |access-date=April 27, 2023}}</ref>

In school, Lamar was a quiet and observant student who excelled academically and had a noticeable stutter.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Haithcoat |first=Rebecca |date=January 20, 2011 |title=Born and raised in Compton, Kendrick Lamar Hides a Poet's Soul Behind "Pussy & Patron" |website=LA Weekly |url=https://www.laweekly.com/born-and-raised-in-compton-kendrick-lamar-hides-a-poets-soul-behind-pussy/ |url-status=live |access-date=November 23, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130115025206/http://www.laweekly.com:80/2011-01-20/music/born-and-raised-in-compton-kendrick-lamar-hides-a-poet-s-soul-behind-pussy-patron/all/ |archive-date=January 15, 2013}}</ref> His [[first grade]] teacher at Robert E. McNair Elementary School encouraged him to become a writer after she heard him correctly use the word “audacity".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ahmed |first=Insanul |date=July 25, 2014 |title=Cover Story Uncut: Kendrick Lamar On Being Afraid of Going Broke, Working With Dr. Dre, & His Next Album |url=https://www.complex.com/music/a/insanul-ahmed/kendrick-lamar-interview-new-album-going-broke-dr-dre |access-date=September 29, 2023 |website=Complex |language=en-us |archive-date=November 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231124032041/https://www.complex.com/music/a/insanul-ahmed/kendrick-lamar-interview-new-album-going-broke-dr-dre |url-status=live }}</ref> As a [[seventh grade]] student at Vanguard Learning Center, Lamar was introduced to [[poetry]] by his English teacher, Regis Inge.<ref name="Moore">{{Cite news |last=Moore |first=Marcus J. |date=October 8, 2020 |title=Kendrick Lamar's Poetic Awakening |language=en-US |work=[[The Nation]] |url=https://www.thenation.com/article/culture/kendrick-lamar-butterfly-effect-book-excerpt/ |url-status=live |access-date=July 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201009055957/https://www.thenation.com/article/culture/kendrick-lamar-butterfly-effect-book-excerpt/ |archive-date=October 9, 2020 |issn=0027-8378}}</ref> Inge integrated the literary form into his curriculum as a response to the growing racial tensions amongst his students.<ref name="Moore" /> Through its connection to hip hop, Lamar studied rhymes, metaphors and [[double entendres]], which made him fall in love with songwriting: "You can put all your feelings down on a sheet of paper, and they'd make sense to you. I liked that."<ref name="Eells" /><ref name="Moore" /> Instead of completing assignments for other classes, Lamar would scribe lyrics in his notebooks.<ref name="Moore" /> His initial writing was entirely [[Profanity|profane]], but it helped him manage his [[psychological trauma]] and [[Depression (mood)|depression]], which he struggled with during his adolescence.<ref name="Moore" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Cruz |first=Ricky |date=August 22, 2017 |title=Kendrick Lamar and the Constant Battle of Depression |url=https://culture.affinitymagazine.us/kendrick-lamar-and-the-constant-battle-of-depression/ |access-date=September 28, 2023 |website=Affinity Magazine |archive-date=September 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230923200217/https://culture.affinitymagazine.us/kendrick-lamar-and-the-constant-battle-of-depression/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Inge played a vital role in his intellectual growth, often critiquing his [[lexicon]] and suggesting prompts to strengthen his prose.<ref name="Moore" />

Lamar later attended [[Centennial High School (Compton, California)|Centennial High School]], where he failed [[physical education]] in the [[ninth grade]].<ref name="Harling">{{Cite web |last=Harling |first=Danielle |date=August 9, 2012 |title=Kendrick Lamar Revisits His High School, Speaks On Flunking Gym & Rival Gang Wars |url=https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.20734/title.kendrick-lamar-revisits-his-high-school-speaks-on-flunking-gym-rival-gang-wars |access-date=September 30, 2023 |website=HipHopDX |language=en |archive-date=November 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231124032041/https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.20734/title.kendrick-lamar-revisits-his-high-school-speaks-on-flunking-gym-rival-gang-wars |url-status=live }}</ref> He was enrolled in [[summer school]] during the [[tenth grade]], which he dreaded because it forced him to be embroiled in a [[Gang#Violence|gang war]].<ref name="Harling" /> Despite his efforts to avoid them, Lamar soon became heavily involved with Compton's [[Hedonism|hedonistic]] gang culture, which led to numerous gang violence experiences, health scares, and encounters with the police.<ref name="Eells" /> He distanced himself from the lifestyle following an intervention staged by his father.<ref name="Hopper" /> When he was 16, he was [[Baptism|baptized]] and [[Conversion to Christianity|converted]] to [[Christianity]] following the death of a friend.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Coscarelli |first=Joe |date=March 16, 2015 |title=Kendrick Lamar on His New Album and the Weight of Clarity |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/22/arts/music/kendrick-lamar-on-his-new-album-and-the-weight-of-clarity.html |url-status=live |access-date=August 21, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170822060219/https://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/22/arts/music/kendrick-lamar-on-his-new-album-and-the-weight-of-clarity.html |archive-date=August 22, 2017 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=March 16, 2015 |title=Kendrick Lamar: "All I Am Is a Vessel, Doing His Work." |url=https://relevantmagazine.com/slices/kendrick-lamar-all-i-am-vessel-doing-his-work |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161029071052/http://www.relevantmagazine.com/slices/kendrick-lamar-all-i-am-vessel-doing-his-work |archive-date=October 29, 2016 |access-date=August 21, 2017 |website=Relevant Magazine |language=en-US}}</ref> Lamar entered a lasting romantic relationship with his classmate, beautician Whitney Alford.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Goodman |first=Lizzy |date=June 25, 2014 |title=Kendrick Lamar, Hip-Hop's Newest Old-School Star |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/29/magazine/kendrick-lamar-hip-hops-newest-old-school-star.html |access-date=May 12, 2022 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=May 12, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220512010638/https://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/29/magazine/kendrick-lamar-hip-hops-newest-old-school-star.html |url-status=live }}</ref> They experienced numerous difficulties within their relationship due to Lamar's [[Sexual addiction|sex addiction]] and repeated [[infidelity]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bustard |first=Andy |date=May 13, 2022 |title=Kendrick Lamar Admits To Sex Addiction & Cheating On His Fiancée |url=https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.70241/title.kendrick-lamar-admits-sex-addiction-cheating-on-fiancee-whitney-alford-mother-i-sober |access-date=July 19, 2023 |website=HipHopDX |language=en |archive-date=July 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230719192409/https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.70241/title.kendrick-lamar-admits-sex-addiction-cheating-on-fiancee-whitney-alford-mother-i-sober |url-status=live }}</ref> Lamar graduated from high school in 2006 as a [[Academic grading in the United States|straight-A]] student.<ref>{{cite web |last=Zela |first=Joel "Shake" |date=December 31, 2010 |title=Kendrick Lamar Talks J. Cole, XXL Freshman 2011, KiD CuDi, etc (Video) |url=http://www.2dopeboyz.com/2010/12/31/kendrick-lamar-talks-j-cole-xxl-freshman-2011-kid-cudi-etc-video/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130123104740/http://www.2dopeboyz.com/2010/12/31/kendrick-lamar-talks-j-cole-xxl-freshman-2011-kid-cudi-etc-video/ |archive-date=January 23, 2013 |access-date=March 10, 2013 |work=[[2DopeBoyz]] |publisher=Complex Music}}</ref><ref name="Watson">{{cite web |last=Watson |first=Elijah |date=February 18, 2016 |title=Principal of Kendrick Lamar's Compton High School Speaks on Kendrick's Influence |url=http://pigeonsandplanes.com/news/2016/02/kendrick-lamar-high-school-principal |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170404222031/http://pigeonsandplanes.com/news/2016/02/kendrick-lamar-high-school-principal |archive-date=April 4, 2017 |access-date=April 7, 2017 |work=Pigeons and Planes}}</ref> He flirted with the idea of studying [[psychology]] and [[astronomy]] in college, but suspended his academic pursuits to focus on his music career.<ref name="Eells" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Wright |first=Colleen |date=June 9, 2015 |title=Kendrick Lamar, Rapper Who Inspired a Teacher, Visits a High School That Embraces His Work |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/09/nyregion/kendrick-lamar-rapper-who-inspired-a-teacher-visits-a-high-school-that-embraces-his-work.html |access-date=September 30, 2023 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=November 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231124032041/https://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/09/nyregion/kendrick-lamar-rapper-who-inspired-a-teacher-visits-a-high-school-that-embraces-his-work.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

===2003–2008: Career beginnings===
[[File:Centennial High School Compton Calif.jpg|thumb|Lamar began his career while he attended [[Centennial High School (Compton, California)|Centennial High School]]]]
During high school, Lamar adopted the [[stage name]] K.Dot and began [[Freestyle rap|freestyling]] and [[Battle rap|battle rapping]] at school.<ref name="Jackson" /> His performances caught the attention of fellow student [[Dave Free]], who traveled from [[Inglewood, California|Inglewood]] to watch him rap.<ref name="Jackson" /> They quickly formed a friendship over their love of hip hop and the television sitcom ''[[Martin (TV series)|Martin]]''.<ref name="Jackson" /> They recorded music together at Free's makeshift garage studio and at his older brother's [[Hyde Park, Los Angeles|Hyde Park]] apartment.<ref name="Jackson" /> Lamar's earliest performances were held at a "super hood" [[comedy club]] and behind a tattoo parlor.<ref name="Jackson" /> Free was his [[hype man]] during that time, while his older brother was his manager and disc jockey.<ref name="Jackson" /> Lamar recorded five [[mixtape]]s throughout the [[2000s in music|2000s]]; his first, ''Youngest Head Nigga in Charge (Hub City Threat: Minor of the Year)'', was released during his senior year of high school.{{efn|Details of Lamar's earliest mixtapes are sparse. While many publications wrote that the mixtape was released when he was 16, one of the songs featured is a freestyle over [[50 Cent]] and [[The Game (rapper)|the Game]]'s single "[[How We Do (song)|How We Do]]", which was released in November 2004.<ref name="Mixtapes" />}} The mixtapes primarily consisted of freestyles over the [[Hip hop production|production of popular hip hop songs]].<ref name="Mixtapes">{{cite magazine |last=Reeves |first=Mosi |date=July 14, 2017 |title=Mixtape Primer: Reviewing Kendrick Lamar's Pre-Fame Output |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-album-reviews/mixtape-primer-reviewing-kendrick-lamars-pre-fame-output-126139/ |url-status=live |magazine=Rolling Stone |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190523232223/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-album-reviews/mixtape-primer-reviewing-kendrick-lamars-pre-fame-output-126139/ |archive-date=May 23, 2019 |access-date=August 2, 2023}}</ref>

In a series of [[retrospective]] reviews for ''[[Rolling Stone]]'', Mosi Reeves complimented Lamar's "unerring" sense of rhythm and timing found in ''Hub City Threat: Minor of the Year'', but criticized his "overly beholden" flow and "clumsy" lyricism.<ref name="Mixtapes" /> Free, who was working as a [[Computer repair technician|computer technician]], introduced the mixtape to record producer Anthony "Top Dawg" Tiffith while attempting to repair his computer.<ref name="Greenburg16">{{Cite web |last=Greenburg |first=Zack O'Malley |date=January 4, 2016 |title=Meet Dave Free, Kendrick Lamar's 30 Under 30 Manager |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/zackomalleygreenburg/2016/01/04/meet-dave-free-kendrick-lamars-30-under-30-manager/ |access-date=August 18, 2022 |website=Forbes |language=en |archive-date=August 18, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220818215848/https://www.forbes.com/sites/zackomalleygreenburg/2016/01/04/meet-dave-free-kendrick-lamars-30-under-30-manager/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Tiffith was impressed with Lamar's burgeoning abilities and invited him to partake in an [[audition]] process for entry into his newly established [[independent record label]], [[Top Dawg Entertainment]] (TDE).<ref name="Greenburg16" /> During his audition, Lamar freestyled for Tiffith and record executive [[Punch (rapper)|Terrence "Punch" Henderson]] for two hours, a strategy that impressed Henderson but bewildered Tiffith.<ref name="Hopper" /><ref name="Billboard17">{{Cite magazine |last=Thomas |first=Datwon |date=September 14, 2017 |title=Kendrick Lamar and Anthony 'Top Dawg' Tiffith on How They Built Hip-Hop's Greatest Indie Label |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/features/kendrick-lamar-anthony-tiffith-interview-billboard-cover-story-2017-7964649/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211117082027/billboard.com/music/features/kendrick-lamar-anthony-tiffith-interview-billboard-cover-story-2017-7964649/ |archive-date=November 17, 2021 |access-date=June 25, 2023 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}}</ref> He was offered a [[recording contract]] by TDE in 2005, joining [[Jay Rock]] as the label's first signings.<ref name="Hopper" /> Upon signing, he purchased a [[Minority interest|minority stake]] in the label for an undisclosed amount.<ref name="Billboard17" />

Lamar had a brief stint as a [[security guard]] when he started working on music with Jay Rock at TDE's in-house recording studio.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.2dopeboyz.com/2010/12/31/kendrick-lamar-talks-j-cole-xxl-freshman-2011-kid-cudi-etc-video/ |title=Kendrick Lamar Talks J. Cole, XXL Freshman 2011, KiD CuDi, etc (Video) |work=2Dopeboyz |publisher=Complex Music |date=December 31, 2010 |access-date=March 10, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130123104740/http://www.2dopeboyz.com/2010/12/31/kendrick-lamar-talks-j-cole-xxl-freshman-2011-kid-cudi-etc-video/ |archive-date=January 23, 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Watson"/> The bond he formed with him, [[Ab-Soul]] and [[Schoolboy Q]] led to the formation of the hip hop [[Supergroup (music)|supergroup]], [[Black Hippy]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Weiss |first=Jeff |date=August 17, 2010 |title=Jay Rock, Kendrick Lamar, Ab-Soul and Schoolboy Q form quasi-supergroup Black Hippy |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/blogs/pop-hiss/story/2010-08-17/jay-rock-kendrick-lamar-ab-soul-and-schoolboy-q-form-quasi-supergroup-black-hippy |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220705211603/https://www.latimes.com/archives/blogs/pop-hiss/story/2010-08-17/jay-rock-kendrick-lamar-ab-soul-and-schoolboy-q-form-quasi-supergroup-black-hippy |archive-date=July 5, 2022 |access-date=August 2, 2023 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}</ref> In 2006, Lamar signed an [[artist development deal]] with [[Def Jam Recordings]] and was featured on two [[Single (music)|singles]] by [[The Game (rapper)|the Game]]. He also heavily contributed to Jay Rock's first two mixtapes, ''Watts Finest Vol. 1'' and ''Watts Finest Vol. 2: The Nickerson Files''.<ref name="Hiatt" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Coleman II |first=C. Vernon |date=January 31, 2021 |title=The Game Claims He's the Best Rapper From Compton, Says He Showed Kendrick Lamar the Ropes |url=https://www.xxlmag.com/the-game-claims-best-rapper-from-compton-kendrick-lamar/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210201003851/xxlmag.com/the-game-claims-best-rapper-from-compton-kendrick-lamar/ |archive-date=February 1, 2021 |access-date=August 4, 2023 |website=XXL |language=en}}</ref> Lamar was ultimately let go from Def Jam after an encounter with its president and chief executive officer, [[Jay-Z]]; he later described it as "one of those situations where I wasn’t ready."<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Josephs |first1=Brian |last2=McKinney |first2=Jessica |date=December 8, 2020 |title=22 Things You Didn't Know About Kendrick Lamar |url=https://www.complex.com/music/a/brian-josephs/things-you-didnt-know-about-kendrick-lamar |url-status=live |magazine=Complex |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230709083307/https://www.complex.com/music/a/brian-josephs/things-you-didnt-know-about-kendrick-lamar |archive-date=July 9, 2023 |access-date=December 8, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Harling |first=Danielle |date=May 12, 2012 |title=Kendrick Lamar Speaks on Previously Being Signed to Def Jam |url=https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.19837/title.kendrick-lamar-speaks-on-previously-being-signed-to-def-jam |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150608023938/https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.19837/title.kendrick-lamar-speaks-on-previously-being-signed-to-def-jam |archive-date=June 8, 2015 |access-date=August 2, 2023 |website=HipHopDX}}</ref> He released two projects in 2007: his second mixtape, ''Training Day'', and a collaborative mixtape with Jay Rock titled ''No Sleep 'til NYC''.<ref name="Mixtapes" /> Reeves complimented ''Training Day''<nowiki/>'s varied production and "well-executed" concept based on the [[Training Day|2001 film of the same name]].<ref name="Mixtapes" /> He described ''No Sleep 'til NYC'' as a "fun cypher session, nothing more, nothing less."<ref name="Mixtapes" />

===2009–2011: ''Overly Dedicated'' and ''Section.80''===
Lamar's third mixtape, ''[[C4 (mixtape)|C4]]'' (2009), is a [[Album#Tribute or cover|tribute project]] to [[Lil Wayne]]’s ''[[Tha Carter III]]'' (2008) and was supported by his co-sign.<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 30, 2009 |title=Kendrick Lamar - C4, Hosted by DJ Ill Will, DJ Dave |url=https://datpiff.com/Kendrick-Lamar-C4-mixtape.32334.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706085257/http://www.datpiff.com/Kendrick-Lamar-C4-mixtape.32334.html |archive-date=July 6, 2011 |access-date=July 6, 2011 |website=DatPiff}}</ref> Reeves felt that the mixtape was a "wrongheaded homage to a year-old, well-worn album."<ref name="Mixtapes" /> From February to July, he toured with the Game on his [[LAX (album)#Tour|LAX Tour]] as a hype man for Jay Rock.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Saponara |first=Michael |date=February 28, 2018 |title=Nipsey Hussle Remembers When The Game Carried the West Coast on Hig Back |url=https://www.xxlmag.com/nipsey-hussle-desus-mero/ |url-status=live |magazine=XXL |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210123045943/https://www.xxlmag.com/nipsey-hussle-desus-mero/ |archive-date=January 23, 2021 |access-date=June 26, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |date=April 11, 2019 |title=Kendrick Lamar Remembers Touring With Nipsey Hussle In 2009 |url=https://www.vibe.com/music/music-news/nipsey-hussle-memorial-kendrick-lamar-remembers-643821/ |url-status=live |magazine=Vibe |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210507133954/https://www.vibe.com/music/music-news/nipsey-hussle-memorial-kendrick-lamar-remembers-643821/ |archive-date=May 7, 2021 |access-date=June 29, 2023}}</ref> Lamar disliked how his stage name diverted attention away from his true identity, and decided to retire it.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Berry |first=Peter A. |date=June 17, 2020 |title=Here Are 50 Surprising Facts about Kendrick Lamar |url=https://www.xxlmag.com/kendrick-lamar-facts/ |url-status=live |magazine=XXL |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200617203014/https://www.xxlmag.com/kendrick-lamar-facts/ |archive-date=June 17, 2020 |access-date=August 1, 2023}}</ref> He opted to use his first and middle names professionally and regards the name change as part of his career growth."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ryon |first=Sean |date=June 10, 2011 |title=Kendrick Lamar Talks Name Change, Growing Up in Compton |url=https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.15501/title.kendrick-lamar-talks-name-change-growing-up-in-compton |access-date=October 10, 2023 |website=HipHopDX |language=en |archive-date=September 27, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230927150446/https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.15501/title.kendrick-lamar-talks-name-change-growing-up-in-compton |url-status=live }}</ref> For his [[Kendrick Lamar (EP)|eponymous debut extended play]] (2009),<ref name="dopeboyz1">{{Cite web |last= |date=December 31, 2009 |title=Kendrick Lamar – Kendrick Lamar (FreEP) |url=https://2dopeboyz.com/2009/12/31/kendrick-lamar-kendrick-lamar-freep/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130319153221/http://www.2dopeboyz.com/2009/12/31/kendrick-lamar-kendrick-lamar-freep/ |archive-date=March 19, 2013 |access-date=September 4, 2010 |website=2DopeBoyz |language=en-US}}</ref> Lamar eschewed from the creative process of his mixtapes in favor of a project heavily focused on his songwriting over "lovely yet doleful" production.<ref name="Mixtapes" /> Reeves described the EP as the "first standout project" of his career, praising its [[Melancholia|melancholic]] tone.<ref name="Mixtapes" /> He felt that the project restored his reputation following the sting of criticism he received over ''C4''.<ref name="Mixtapes" />
[[File:KendrickLive.jpg|260px|thumb|Lamar performing at [[Rebel (entertainment complex)|Sound Academy]] in 2011, prior to the release of ''[[Section.80]]''|left]]
After striking a [[Music publisher|music publishing]] deal with [[Warner Chappell Music|Warner/Chappell Music]],<ref name=":0">{{cite magazine |date=January 16, 2018 |title=Kendrick Lamar Eyeing New Publishing Deal: Sources |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/8094442/kendrick-lamar-new-publishing-deal |url-status=live |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180117020327/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/8094442/kendrick-lamar-new-publishing-deal |archive-date=January 17, 2018 |access-date=January 17, 2018}}</ref> Lamar released his fourth mixtape, ''[[Overly Dedicated]]'' (2010), to digital retailers for the first time in his career.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Thompson |first=Paul |date=April 13, 2017 |title=What Does Kendrick Lamar's Overly Dedicated Tell Us About DAMN.? |url=https://www.vulture.com/2017/04/what-does-kendrick-lamars-overly-dedicated-say-about-damn.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170517124045/vulture.com/2017/04/what-does-kendrick-lamars-overly-dedicated-say-about-damn.html |archive-date=May 17, 2017 |access-date=September 26, 2023 |website=Vulture |language=en}}</ref> He and Whitney Alford separated prior to its release.<ref name="Ritchie">{{Cite web |last=Ritchie |first=Matthew |date=May 17, 2022 |title=The History of Kendrick Lamar and Whitney Alford, As Told By His Lyrics |url=https://www.gq.com/story/kendrick-lamar-whitney-alford-relationship-history-through-lyrics |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220518054835/https://www.gq.com/story/kendrick-lamar-whitney-alford-relationship-history-through-lyrics |archive-date=May 18, 2022 |access-date=July 19, 2023 |website=GQ |language=en-US}}</ref> Reeves described ''Overly Dedicated'' as a partial "victory lap" that marked a shift in his songwriting.<ref name="Mixtapes" /> The mixtape peaked at number 72 on ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]''{{'}}s [[Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums]] chart.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Ramirez |first=Rauly |date=November 1, 2012 |title=Chart Juice: Kendrick Lamar's 'good kid, m.A.A.d city' Rules R&B/Hip-Hop Albums |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/chart-juice-kendrick-lamars-good-kid-maad-city-rules-rbhip-hop-474364/ |access-date=August 4, 2023 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US |archive-date=November 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231124032042/https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/chart-juice-kendrick-lamars-good-kid-maad-city-rules-rbhip-hop-474364/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Lamar served as Jay Rock's hype man for a second time during [[Tech N9ne]]'s Independent Grind Tour, where ''Overly Dedicated'' was introduced to [[Dr. Dre]].<ref name="hiphopdx1" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Jacobs |first=Allen |date=December 17, 2010 |title=Dr. Dre Says In 2011, He's Focusing On West Coast Hip Hop - Kendrick Lamar, Slim da Mobster |url=https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.13385/title.dr-dre-says-in-2011-hes-focusing-on-west-coast-hip-hop-kendrick-lamar-slim-da-mobster |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150915042156/hiphopdx.com/news/id.13385/title.dr-dre-says-in-2011-hes-focusing-on-west-coast-hip-hop-kendrick-lamar-slim-da-mobster |archive-date=September 15, 2015 |access-date=December 17, 2010 |website=HipHopDX |language=en}}</ref> After watching the music video for the song "Ignorance Is Bliss" on [[YouTube]], he reached out to Lamar with hopes of working with him and [[Snoop Dogg]] on his unfinished album, ''Detox''.<ref name="hiphopdx1" /><ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Reeves |first=Mosi |date=July 31, 2015 |title='Detox': A Timeline of Dr. Dre's Great Unfinished Album |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/dr-dres-detox-a-timeline-of-hip-hops-great-unfinished-album-34152/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180816075331/rollingstone.com/music/music-news/dr-dres-detox-a-timeline-of-hip-hops-great-unfinished-album-34152/ |archive-date=August 16, 2018 |access-date=November 24, 2023 |magazine=Rolling Stone |language=en-US}}</ref> He also considered signing him to his record label, [[Aftermath Entertainment]], and was encouraged to by artists such as [[J. Cole]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.13463/title.kendrick-lamar-reacts-to-dr-dres-cosign-considering-aftermath |title=Kendrick Lamar Reacts To Dr. Dre's Cosign, Considering Aftermath |last=Paine |first=Jake |date=December 25, 2010 |work=HipHopDX |access-date=December 25, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101227023615/http://www1.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.13463/title.kendrick-lamar-reacts-to-dr-dres-cosign-considering-aftermath |archive-date=December 27, 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Espinoza |first=Joshua |date=December 25, 2021 |title=J. Cole Says He Urged Dr. Dre to Sign an Up-and-Coming Kendrick Lamar |url=https://www.complex.com/music/j-cole-says-he-told-dr-dre-about-kendrick-lamar-nardwuar-interview |access-date=December 26, 2021 |website=Complex |language=en |archive-date=December 26, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211226003832/https://www.complex.com/music/j-cole-says-he-told-dr-dre-about-kendrick-lamar-nardwuar-interview |url-status=live }}</ref>

Lamar entered a brief relationship with emcee [[Nitty Scott]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Todd |first=Jessica |date=October 21, 2016 |title=Nitty Scott on What She Learned While Dating Kendrick Lamar |url=https://www.vladtv.com/article/220171/no-panty-nitty-scott-on-what-she-learned-while-dating-kendrick-lamar |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230913172326/vladtv.com/article/220171/no-panty-nitty-scott-on-what-she-learned-while-dating-kendrick-lamar |archive-date=September 13, 2023 |access-date=July 19, 2023 |website=VladTV |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Hernandez |first=Victoria |date=January 30, 2015 |title=Nitty Scott Talks Dating Kendrick Lamar & Changing Her Image |url=https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.32340/title.nitty-scott-talks-dating-kendrick-lamar-changing-her-image |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160506020344/https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.32340/title.nitty-scott-talks-dating-kendrick-lamar-changing-her-image |archive-date=May 6, 2016 |access-date=July 19, 2023 |website=HipHopDX |language=en}}</ref> and was featured on ''[[XXL (magazine)|XXL]]''{{'}}s 2011 Freshman Class list.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Blanco |first=Alvin |date=February 22, 2011 |title='XXL' Magazine Unveils 2011 'Freshman' Class |url=https://www.mtv.com/news/r02jyh/xxl-magazine-freshmen |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221202030036/mtv.com/news/r02jyh/xxl-magazine-freshmen |archive-date=December 2, 2022 |access-date=August 4, 2023 |website=MTV |language=en}}</ref> He released his debut studio album, ''[[Section.80]]'', on July 2, 2011,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.2dopeboyz.com/2011/04/11/kendrick-lamars-3rd-solo-album/ |title=Kendrick Lamar's 3rd Solo Album... |work=2Dopeboyz |date=April 11, 2011 |access-date=March 9, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130724232903/http://www.2dopeboyz.com/2011/04/11/kendrick-lamars-3rd-solo-album/ |archive-date=July 24, 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref> which was supported by its lead single "[[HiiiPoWeR|HiiiPower]]".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.2dopeboyz.com/2011/04/13/kendrick-lamar-%E2%80%93-hiiipower-prod-j-cole/ |title=Kendrick Lamar - HiiiPoWeR (prod. by J. Cole) |work=2Dopeboyz |date=April 13, 2011 |access-date=March 9, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131017152545/http://www.2dopeboyz.com/2011/04/13/kendrick-lamar-%E2%80%93-hiiipower-prod-j-cole/ |archive-date=October 17, 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref> The album explored [[Conscious hip hop|conscious]] and [[alternative hip hop]] styles and experimented with "stripped-down" [[jazz]] production.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Breihan |first=Tom |date=July 2, 2021 |title=Kendrick Lamar 'Section.80' Review: Looking Back 10 Years Later |url=https://www.stereogum.com/2152402/kendrick-lamar-section-80-review/reviews/the-anniversary/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221031143439/stereogum.com/2152402/kendrick-lamar-section-80-review/reviews/the-anniversary/ |archive-date=October 31, 2022 |access-date=April 20, 2023 |website=Stereogum |language=en }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Fleischer |first=Adam |url=http://www.xxlmag.com/rap-music/reviews/2011/07/kendrick-lamar-section-80 |title=Kendrick Lamar, Section.80 |work=[[XXL (magazine)|XXL]] |date=July 5, 2011 |access-date=July 5, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130820001428/http://www.xxlmag.com/rap-music/reviews/2011/07/kendrick-lamar-section-80 |archive-date=August 20, 2013 }}</ref> Ogden Payne of ''[[Forbes]]'' considers it to be "the genesis to [Lamar] successfully balancing [[social commentary]] with mass appeal."<ref>{{cite web|last=Payne|first=Ogden|date=July 2, 2016|url=http://www.forbes.com/sites/ogdenpayne/2016/07/02/how-kendrick-lamars-section-80-catapulted-him-into-hip-hop-royalty/|title=How Kendrick Lamar's 'Section.80' Catapulted Him into Hip-Hop Royalty|work=[[Forbes]]|access-date=September 25, 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160703114610/http://www.forbes.com/sites/ogdenpayne/2016/07/02/how-kendrick-lamars-section-80-catapulted-him-into-hip-hop-royalty/#692e8a3ca1ba|archive-date=July 3, 2016}}</ref> ''Section.80'' marked Lamar's first appearance on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]] chart, where it peaked at number 113. It sold approximately 5,000 copies in its first week of tracking, with minimal coverage from [[mainstream media]] outlets.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Allen |first=Jacobs |date=July 6, 2011 |title=Hip Hop Album Sales: The Week Ending 7/3/2011 |url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.15846/title.hip-hop-album-sales-the-week-ending-7-3-2011 |url-status=dead |magazine=HipHopDX |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708164449/http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.15846/title.hip-hop-album-sales-the-week-ending-7-3-2011/ |archive-date=July 8, 2011 |access-date=October 14, 2015}}</ref>

To promote the album, Lamar performed at small venues and college campuses across the U.S.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cooper |first=Roman |date=November 22, 2011 |title=Kendrick Lamar Talks "Section 80," Wu-Tang Clan, Rumored Album With J. Cole |url=https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.17720/title.kendrick-lamar-talks-section-80-wu-tang-clan-rumored-album-with-j-cole |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170524085612/hiphopdx.com/news/id.17720/title.kendrick-lamar-talks-section-80-wu-tang-clan-rumored-album-with-j-cole |archive-date=May 24, 2017 |access-date=June 4, 2023 |website=HipHopDX |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last1=Ahmed |first1=Insanul |last2=Michels |first2=Eric |date=August 1, 2011 |title=Interview: Kendrick Lamar Talks 'Section.80,' Major Labels, & Working With Dr. Dre |url=https://www.complex.com/music/2011/08/interview-kendrick-lamar |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230819014516/complex.com/music/a/insanul-ahmed/interview-kendrick-lamar |archive-date=August 19, 2023 |access-date=June 4, 2023 |website=Complex |language=en}}</ref> He was dubbed the "[[Honorific nicknames in popular music|New King of the West Coast]]" by Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre and the Game during a performance in [[West Los Angeles]].<ref>{{cite web |author=Gale, Alex |url=http://www.complex.com/music/2013/05/20-legendary-hip-hop-concert-moments/kendrick-lamar |title=20 Legendary Hip-Hop Concert Moments |work=Complex |date=May 23, 2013 |access-date=September 13, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131208153914/http://www.complex.com/music/2013/05/20-legendary-hip-hop-concert-moments/kendrick-lamar |archive-date=December 8, 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4T8aWtAsQHs |title=Dream Urban Presents : Kendrick Lamar Experience (Snoop Dogg Passes Torch) |publisher=YouTube |date=August 22, 2011 |access-date=September 13, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140109082831/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4T8aWtAsQHs |archive-date=January 9, 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref> At the [[2011 BET Hip Hop Awards]], ''Section.80'' was nominated for Best Mixtape. During the ceremony, Lamar appeared alongside [[B.o.B]], Tech N9ne, [[Machine Gun Kelly (musician)|Machine Gun Kelly]] and [[Big K.R.I.T.]] in a [[Freestyle rap#Types of freestyles|cypher]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.2dopeboyz.com/2011/10/11/2011-bet-awards-cyphers-video/ |title=2011 BET Awards: Cyphers (Video) |work=2Dopeboyz |date=October 11, 2011 |access-date=March 10, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130708090028/http://www.2dopeboyz.com/2011/10/11/2011-bet-awards-cyphers-video/ |archive-date=July 8, 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref> Throughout the year, he appeared on the Game's ''[[The R.E.D. Album]]'', Tech N9ne's ''[[All 6's and 7's]]'', [[9th Wonder]]'s ''[[The Wonder Years (9th Wonder album)|The Wonder Years]]'', and [[Drake (musician)|Drake]]'s ''[[Take Care (album)|Take Care]]''.<ref>{{cite web |last=Markman |first=Rob |date=December 7, 2011 |title=Kendrick Lamar Kicks Off Hottest Breakthrough MCs! |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1675543/kendrick-lamar-kicks-off-hottest-breakthrough-mcs/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151224033357/http://www.mtv.com/news/1675543/kendrick-lamar-kicks-off-hottest-breakthrough-mcs/ |archive-date=December 24, 2015 |access-date=December 11, 2015 |work=MTV}}</ref>

===2012–2013: ''Good Kid, M.A.A.D City''===
[[File:Kendrick Lamar Pitchfork 2012.jpg|thumb|250px|Lamar performing at the [[Pitchfork Music Festival]] in 2012]]
Lamar began planning his second album before ''Section.80'' was released.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Harling |first=Danielle |date=May 16, 2011 |title=Kendrick Lamar Hoping To Release Studio Album Next Year |url=https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.15137/title.kendrick-lamar-hoping-to-release-studio-album-next-year |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210620102531/hiphopdx.com/news/id.15137/title.kendrick-lamar-hoping-to-release-studio-album-next-year |archive-date=June 20, 2021 |access-date=September 26, 2023 |website=HipHopDX |language=en}}</ref> From February to April 2012, he opened for Drake on his [[Club Paradise Tour]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Markman |first=Rob |date=October 24, 2011 |title=Drake 'Fought' For Intimate Campus Dates Over Stadium Tour |language=en |work=MTV News |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1673059/drake-club-paradise-tour-asap-rocky-kendrick-lamar/ |url-status=live |access-date=September 26, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170926235853/http://www.mtv.com/news/1673059/drake-club-paradise-tour-asap-rocky-kendrick-lamar/ |archive-date=September 26, 2017}}</ref> He began working with J. Cole on a collaborative album around that time, but nothing came to fruition; Cole later admitted that the two "put it to bed years ago".<ref>{{cite web |author=Rebello |first=Ian |date=November 13, 2012 |title=Kendrick Lamar and J. Cole Collaboration Album Will Have No Release Date, Will "Drop Out The Sky" |url=http://theversed.com/2012/11/13/kendrick-lamar-and-j-cole-collaboration-album-will-have-no-release-date-will-drop-out-the-sky/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130404233008/http://theversed.com/2012/11/13/kendrick-lamar-and-j-cole-collaboration-album-will-have-no-release-date-will-drop-out-the-sky/ |archive-date=April 4, 2013 |access-date=March 15, 2013 |work=The Versed |publisher=Freshcom Media LLC}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Darville |first=Jordan |date=November 3, 2023 |title=J. Cole on collab album with Kendrick Lamar: "We put it to bed years ago" |url=https://www.thefader.com/2023/11/03/j-cole-collab-album-kendrick-lamar |access-date=November 23, 2023 |website=The Fader |language=en |archive-date=November 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231124032042/https://www.thefader.com/2023/11/03/j-cole-collab-album-kendrick-lamar |url-status=live }}</ref> On March 8, ''[[The Fader]]'' reported that Lamar had signed a [[Joint venture|joint venture recording contract]] with Aftermath Entertainment and [[Interscope Records]]; under the deal, TDE continued to serve as his primary label.<ref name="MTV">{{cite web |first=Nadeska |last=Alexis |title=Kendrick Lamar, Black Hippy Ink Deals With Interscope And Aftermath |url=http://rapfix.mtv.com/2012/03/08/kendrick-lamar-signs-with-interscope-aftermath/ |publisher=MTV |date=March 8, 2012 |access-date=March 8, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150908123927/http://rapfix.mtv.com/2012/03/08/kendrick-lamar-signs-with-interscope-aftermath/ |archive-date=September 8, 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref> His first commercial single, "[[The Recipe (Kendrick Lamar song)|The Recipe]]" featuring Dr. Dre, premiered on [[Rhythmic contemporary|rhythmic crossover radio]] on April 2.<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 2, 2012 |title=Kendrick Lamar ft. Dr. Dre - "The Recipe" |url=https://www.complex.com/pigeons-and-planes/2012/04/kendrick-lamar-ft-dr-dre-the-recipe |access-date=October 17, 2022 |website=Complex |language=en |archive-date=October 17, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221017224222/https://www.complex.com/pigeons-and-planes/2012/04/kendrick-lamar-ft-dr-dre-the-recipe |url-status=live }}</ref>

''[[Good Kid, M.A.A.D City]]'', Lamar's second album, was formally announced on June 26, 2012, with a tentative release date of October 2.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Gilman |first=Hannah |date=June 27, 2012 |title=Kendrick Lamar, A$AP Rocky Announce Album Release Dates |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/kendrick-lamar-aap-rocky-announce-album-release-dates-482540/ |access-date=September 26, 2023 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US |archive-date=November 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231124032041/https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/kendrick-lamar-aap-rocky-announce-album-release-dates-482540/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Its [[lead single]], "[[Swimming Pools (Drank)]]",<ref>{{cite web |last=Zisook |first=Brian "Z" |date=May 15, 2018 |title=Kendrick Lamar's "Swimming Pools (Drank)" Beat Was Originally a Demo for Trey Songz |url=https://djbooth.net/features/2018-05-15-kendrick-lamar-swimming-pools-trey-songz |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210927015759/https://djbooth.net/features/2018-05-15-kendrick-lamar-swimming-pools-trey-songz |archive-date=September 27, 2021 |access-date=August 1, 2023 |work=DJBooth}}</ref> peaked at number 17 on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]], marking his first top 20 single in the U.S.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Galindo |first=Thomas |date=June 29, 2023 |title=The Story Behind Kendrick Lamar's "Swimming Pools (Drank)" |url=https://americansongwriter.com/the-story-behind-kendrick-lamars-swimming-pools-drank/ |url-status=live |magazine=American Songwriter |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230630023543/https://americansongwriter.com/the-story-behind-kendrick-lamars-swimming-pools-drank/ |archive-date=June 30, 2023 |access-date=August 1, 2023}}</ref> From September to October, he headlined the [[BET]] Music Matters Tour with Black Hippy and [[Stalley]].<ref>{{cite web |first=Daniel |last=Isenberg |url=http://complex.com/music/2012/09/photo-recap-kendrick-lamar-schoolboy-q-ab-soul-and-stalley-rock-bets-music-matters-tour-in-dc/ |title=Photo Recap: Kendrick Lamar, ScHoolboy Q, Ab-Soul, and Stalley Rock BET's Music Matters Tour in D.C. |work=Complex |date=September 16, 2012 |access-date=January 22, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121122072555/http://www.complex.com/music/2012/09/photo-recap-kendrick-lamar-schoolboy-q-ab-soul-and-stalley-rock-bets-music-matters-tour-in-dc/ |archive-date=November 22, 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref> Lamar won Lyricist of the Year at the [[2012 BET Hip Hop Awards]], where he performed a [[Mashup (music)|mashup]] and appeared in a cypher.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Alexis |first=Nadeska |date=October 10, 2012 |title=BET Hip Hop Awards Performance Recap: T.I., Diddy, Rick Ross, French Montana, More |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/2499426/bet-hip-hop-awards-performances-ti-diddy-rick-ross-french-montana/ |access-date=June 5, 2022 |website=[[MTV News]] |language=en |archive-date=June 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220605084242/http://www.mtv.com/news/2499426/bet-hip-hop-awards-performances-ti-diddy-rick-ross-french-montana/ |url-status=live }}</ref> He was featured on [[ASAP Rocky]]’s single "[[Fuckin' Problems]]" alongside Drake and [[2 Chainz]], which reached the top 10 in the U.S.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Lipshutz |first=Jason |date=October 18, 2012 |title=A$AP Rocky Teams With Drake, 2 Chainz & Kendrick Lamar on 'F--kin' Problem' |url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/the-juice/474573/aap-rocky-teams-with-drake-2-chainz-kendrick-lamar-on-f-kin |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211202135620/billboard.com/music/music-news/aap-rocky-teams-with-drake-2-chainz-kendrick-lamar-on-f-kin-474573/ |archive-date=December 2, 2021 |access-date=May 20, 2017 |magazine=Billboard}}</ref>

Experiencing a three-week delay, ''Good Kid, M.A.A.D City'' was ultimately released on October 22, 2012.<ref>{{cite web|last=Capobianco|first=Ken|date=October 22, 2012|url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/arts/music/2012/10/21/review-kendrick-lamar-good-kid-city/r6xdLLd56TrmPT6297O5AI/story.html|title=Kendrick Lamar, 'good kid, m.A.A.d city'|work=[[The Boston Globe]]|access-date=October 29, 2012|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121026091611/http://www.bostonglobe.com/arts/music/2012/10/21/review-kendrick-lamar-good-kid-city/r6xdLLd56TrmPT6297O5AI/story.html|archive-date=October 26, 2012}}</ref> Lamar worked with producers such as [[Pharrell Williams]], [[Hit-Boy]], [[Scoop DeVille]], [[Jack Splash]], and [[T-Minus]] to create an atmospheric [[West Coast hip hop]] album with heavy [[gangsta rap]] influences.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.20658/title.kendrick-lamar-says-good-kid-maad-city-will-sound-nothing-like-section80/|title=Kendrick Lamar Says "good kid, m.A.A.d City" Will Sound "Nothing" Like "Section.80"|work=HipHopDX|date=August 2, 2012|access-date=December 15, 2012|last=Horowitz|first=Steven J.|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121104212338/http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.20658/title.kendrick-lamar-says-good-kid-maad-city-will-sound-nothing-like-section80|archive-date=November 4, 2012}}</ref> It was met with widespread critical acclaim, who lauded Lamar's [[Nonlinear narrative|nonlinear]] songwriting and thematic scope. [[Greg Kot]] of the ''[[Chicago Tribune]]'' applauded him for giving gangsta [[Trope (literature)|tropes]] a "twist, or sometimes upend[ing] them completely" on a record that "brims with [[comedy]], complexity and the many voices in [Lamar’s] head."<ref>{{cite web|last=Kot|first=Greg|author-link=Greg Kot|date=October 21, 2012|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/music/turnitup/chi-kendrick-lamar-album-review-good-kid-maad-city-reviewed-20121021,0,1133931.column|title=Album review: Kendrick Lamar, 'good kid, m.A.A.d city'|work=[[Chicago Tribune]]|access-date=October 29, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105120328/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2012-10-21/entertainment/chi-kendrick-lamar-album-review-good-kid-maad-city-reviewed-20121021_1_kendrick-lamar-album-review-character-actor|archive-date=November 5, 2012 }}</ref> ''Good Kid, M.A.A.D City'' debuted at number two on the ''Billboard'' 200, selling 242,000 copies.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Caulfield |first=Keith |date=October 31, 2012 |title=Kendrick Lamar Debuts at No. 2 as Taylor Swift's 'Red' Tops Billboard 200 |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/474396/kendrick-lamar-debuts-at-no-2-as-taylor-swifts-red-tops-billboard-200 |url-status=live |magazine=Billboard |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925095504/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/474396/kendrick-lamar-debuts-at-no-2-as-taylor-swifts-red-tops-billboard-200 |archive-date=September 25, 2015 |access-date=August 31, 2015}}</ref> It earned the highest first-week album sales of the year by a male rapper.<ref>{{cite web |last=Ugwu |first=Reggie |date=October 31, 2012 |title=Kendrick Lamar's good kid, m.A.A.d. city Debuts at No. 2 |url=http://www.bet.com/news/music/2012/10/31/kendrick-lamar-s-good-kid-m-a-a-d-city-debuts-at-no-2.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131115080706/http://www.bet.com/news/music/2012/10/31/kendrick-lamar-s-good-kid-m-a-a-d-city-debuts-at-no-2.html |archive-date=November 15, 2013 |access-date=November 1, 2013 |website=BET |publisher=}}</ref> Its other singles, "[[Backseat Freestyle]]", "[[Poetic Justice (song)|Poetic Justice]]", and "[[Bitch, Don’t Kill My Vibe]]", enjoyed moderate commercial success.<ref>{{cite news |last=Battan |first=Carrie |date=February 22, 2013 |title=Watch: Kendrick Lamar and Drake Star in a Story of Love and Murder in the Video for "Poetic Justice" |newspaper=Pitchfork |url=http://pitchfork.com/news/49631-watch-kendrick-lamar-and-drake-star-in-a-story-of-love-and-murder-in-the-video-for-poetic-justice/ |url-status=live |access-date=July 24, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130518000616/http://pitchfork.com/news/49631-watch-kendrick-lamar-and-drake-star-in-a-story-of-love-and-murder-in-the-video-for-poetic-justice/ |archive-date=May 18, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Isenberg |first=Daniel |date=March 13, 2013 |title=Jay-Z Is On Kendrick Lamar's "B***h Don't Kill My Vibe" Remix |url=https://www.complex.com/music/a/daniel-isenberg/jay-z-is-on-kendrick-lamars-bh-dont-kill-my-vibe-remix |access-date=March 13, 2013 |website=Complex |archive-date=August 6, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230806082625/https://www.complex.com/music/a/daniel-isenberg/jay-z-is-on-kendrick-lamars-bh-dont-kill-my-vibe-remix |url-status=live }}</ref> ''Good Kid, M.A.A.D City'' surpassed ''[[The Eminem Show]]'' (2002) to become the [[Billboard 200#Most weeks on the chart|longest-charting hip hop studio album]] on the ''Billboard'' 200.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rolli |first=Bryan |date=October 25, 2019 |title=With 'Good Kid, M.A.A.D City,' Kendrick Lamar Tops Eminem For Billboard 200's Longest-Charting Hip-Hop Studio Album |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/bryanrolli/2019/09/18/kendrick-lamars-good-kid-maad-city-surpasses-eminems-the-eminem-show-to-become-longest-charting-hip-hop-studio-album-on-billboard-200/ |access-date=October 19, 2023 |website=Forbes |language=en |archive-date=November 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231124032041/https://www.forbes.com/sites/bryanrolli/2019/09/18/kendrick-lamars-good-kid-maad-city-surpasses-eminems-the-eminem-show-to-become-longest-charting-hip-hop-studio-album-on-billboard-200/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In October 2022, the album became the first hip hop studio album to spend over ten consecutive years on the ''Billboard'' 200.<ref>{{cite web|last=Mahadevan|first=Tara C.|date=October 21, 2022|title=Kendrick Lamar's 'Good Kid, M.A.A.D. City' Spends 10 Successive Years on Billboard 200 Chart|url=https://www.complex.com/music/kendrick-good-kid-maad-city-first-hip-hop-album-10-years-billboard-200|access-date=October 25, 2022|website=Complex|archive-date=October 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221025020818/https://www.complex.com/music/kendrick-good-kid-maad-city-first-hip-hop-album-10-years-billboard-200|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:Kendrick-lamar-1360479601.jpg|thumb|270px|Lamar performing at [[Melkweg]] in 2013|left]]
Lamar and Whitney Alford rekindled their romantic relationship following the release of ''Good Kid, M.A.A.D City''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Badu |first=Erykah |author-link=Erykah Badu |date=April 23, 2013 |title=Kendrick Lamar |url=https://www.interviewmagazine.com/music/kendrick-lamar |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150214124812/interviewmagazine.com/music/kendrick-lamar |archive-date=February 14, 2015 |access-date=September 26, 2013 |website=Interview Magazine |language=en-US}}</ref> He promoted the album throughout 2013 by appearing on television programs and embarking on two [[concert tour]]s: a national college tour with [[Steve Aoki]] and his first international headlining tour.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kent |first=Chloe |date=April 18, 2013 |title=Kendrick Lamar, Steve Aoki bring 'verge culture' to campus |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/music/2013/04/18/kendrick-lamar-steve-aoki-college-tour/2094467/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130424131304/usatoday.com/story/life/music/2013/04/18/kendrick-lamar-steve-aoki-college-tour/2094467/ |archive-date=April 24, 2013 |access-date=September 26, 2023 |website=USA Today |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Josephs |first=Brian |date=April 20, 2013 |title=Kendrick Lamar Announces "good kid, m.A.A.d city" World Tour |url=http://www.complex.com/music/2013/04/kendrick-lamar-announces-good-kid-maad-city-world-tour |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130510041930/http://www.complex.com/music/2013/04/kendrick-lamar-announces-good-kid-maad-city-world-tour |archive-date=May 10, 2013 |access-date=May 14, 2013 |work=Complex}}</ref> Lamar struggled with depression, [[Survivor guilt|survivor's guilt]] and [[suicidal ideation]] during promotional events upon learning of the deaths of three close friends.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Geslani |first=Michael |date=April 3, 2015 |title=Kendrick Lamar struggled with depression and suicidal thoughts while recording To Pimp A Butterfly |url=https://consequence.net/2015/04/kendrick-lamar-struggled-with-depression-and-suicidal-thoughts-while-recording-to-pimp-a-butterfly/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210622203625/consequence.net/2015/04/kendrick-lamar-struggled-with-depression-and-suicidal-thoughts-while-recording-to-pimp-a-butterfly/ |archive-date=June 22, 2021 |access-date=September 26, 2023 |website=Consequence of Sound |language=en-US}}</ref> In an interview with [[MTV]], he confessed that "psychologically, it messes your brain up. You live in ''this'' life, you know what I'm saying, but you still have to face realities of ''this''. I gotta get back off that tour bus and go to these [[funeral]]s."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Boardman |first=Madeline |date=April 3, 2015 |title=Kendrick Lamar Opens Up About Depression, Suicidal Thoughts: Watch |url=https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/kendrick-lamar-opens-up-about-depression-suicidal-thoughts-watch-201534/ |access-date=December 4, 2023 |website=Us Weekly |language=en-US |archive-date=December 4, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231204152035/https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/kendrick-lamar-opens-up-about-depression-suicidal-thoughts-watch-201534/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

From October to December 2013, Lamar opened for [[Kanye West]] on his [[The Yeezus Tour|Yeezus Tour]], despite disapproval from his label and management team.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/52170-kanye-west-announces-tour-with-kendrick-lamar/ |title=Kanye West Announces Tour With Kendrick Lamar |last=Battan |first=Carrie |work=Pitchfork Media |date=September 6, 2013 |access-date=October 6, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141015155108/http://pitchfork.com/news/52170-kanye-west-announces-tour-with-kendrick-lamar/ |archive-date=October 15, 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Gordon">{{Cite web |last=Gordon |first=Jeremy |date=June 25, 2014 |title=TDE Didn't Want Kendrick Lamar to Do Kanye West's Yeezus Tour, Kendrick and Kanye Barely Spoke |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/55703-tde-didnt-want-kendrick-lamar-to-do-kanye-wests-yeezus-tour-kendrick-and-kanye-barely-spoke/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140829092412/http://pitchfork.com/news/55703-tde-didnt-want-kendrick-lamar-to-do-kanye-wests-yeezus-tour-kendrick-and-kanye-barely-spoke/ |archive-date=August 29, 2014 |access-date=August 4, 2023 |website=Pitchfork}}</ref> He was baptized for a second time during the beginning of the tour, and experienced a [[Mental disorder#Definition|nervous breakdown]] near the end.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pannell |first=Ni'Kesia |date=November 18, 2013 |title=Rapper Kendrick Lamar Announces Baptism On Stage At LA Concert |url=http://jubileemag.com/2013/11/rapper-kendrick-lamar-announces-baptism-on-stage-at-la-concert/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170822060332/http://jubileemag.com/2013/11/rapper-kendrick-lamar-announces-baptism-on-stage-at-la-concert/ |archive-date=August 22, 2017 |access-date=August 22, 2017 |website=Julibee}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Lynskey |first=Dorian |date=June 21, 2015 |title=Kendrick Lamar: 'I am Trayvon Martin. I'm all of these kids' |language=en-GB |work=The Observer |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/jun/21/kendrick-lamar-interview-to-pimp-a-butterfly-trayvon-martin |access-date=November 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150622060803/theguardian.com/music/2015/jun/21/kendrick-lamar-interview-to-pimp-a-butterfly-trayvon-martin |archive-date=June 22, 2015 |issn=0029-7712}}</ref> Lamar won three awards during the [[BET Awards 2013|2013 BET Awards]], where he performed a mashup of "[[M.A.A.D City]]" and "Bitch, Don’t Kill My Vibe" with [[Erykah Badu]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Harling |first=Danielle |date=June 30, 2013 |title=Chris Brown, Nicki Minaj, 2 Chainz & More Perform At The BET Awards |url=https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.24511/title.chris-brown-nicki-minaj-2-chainz-more-perform-at-the-bet-awards |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170518065709/https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.24511/title.chris-brown-nicki-minaj-2-chainz-more-perform-at-the-bet-awards |archive-date=May 18, 2017 |access-date=July 17, 2023 |website=HipHopDX |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Kelly |first=Katie |date=June 30, 2013 |title=Kendrick Lamar Brings Out Erykah Badu At The 2013 BET Awards |work=Complex |url=https://complex.com/pigeons-and-planes/2013/07/kendrick-lamar-brings-out-erykah-badu-at-the-2013-bet-awards |url-status=live |access-date=August 4, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210619035535/complex.com/pigeons-and-planes/2013/07/kendrick-lamar-brings-out-erykah-badu-at-the-2013-bet-awards |archive-date=June 19, 2021}}</ref> At the [[2013 BET Hip Hop Awards]]. he performed a mashup of "Collard Greens" and "[[Money Trees]]" with Schoolboy Q and Jay Rock, and was featured in a TDE cypher.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Markman |first=Rob |date=October 15, 2013 |title=2013 BET Hip Hop Awards: The Complete Winners List |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1715658/bet-hip-hop-awards-2013-winners/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221125064724/https://www.mtv.com/news/aat1g2/bet-hip-hop-awards-2013-winners |archive-date=November 25, 2022 |access-date=October 15, 2013 |website=[[MTV]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |last=Graham |first=Nadine |date=September 29, 2013 |title=2 Chainz, Kendrick Lamar Shine At 2013 BET Hip-Hop Awards |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/2-chainz-kendrick-lamar-shine-at-2013-bet-hip-hop-awards-5740627/ |url-status=live |magazine=Billboard |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220124140607/https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/2-chainz-kendrick-lamar-shine-at-2013-bet-hip-hop-awards-5740627/ |archive-date=January 24, 2022 |access-date=July 21, 2023}}</ref> Lamar was named Rapper of the Year by ''[[GQ]]'' during their annual Men of the Year issue.<ref>{{cite web |last=X |first=Dharmic |date=November 11, 2013 |title=Kendrick Lamar Named GQ's Rapper of the Year, Talks About Drake: "[We're&#93; Pretty Cool, and I Would Be Okay if We Weren't" |url=http://www.complex.com/music/2013/11/kendrick-lamar-gq-interview-drake |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170730194251/http://www.complex.com/music/2013/11/kendrick-lamar-gq-interview-drake |archive-date=July 30, 2017 |access-date=October 14, 2015 |work=Complex}}</ref> Following the issue's release, Tiffith pulled him from performing at ''GQ''{{'}}s accompanying party and accused Steve Marsh's profile on him of containing "racial overtones".<ref>{{cite web |last=Ortiz |first=Edwin |url=http://www.complex.com/music/2013/11/tde-president-addresses-kendrick-lamar-gq-cover-story-controversy |title=TDE CEO Attacks GQ Story on Kendrick Lamar as Having 'Racial Overtones,' Pulls Lamar From GQ Party |work=Complex |date=November 15, 2013 |access-date=October 14, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151001072629/http://www.complex.com/music/2013/11/tde-president-addresses-kendrick-lamar-gq-cover-story-controversy |archive-date=October 1, 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Markman |first=Rob |date=November 15, 2013 |title=Kendrick Lamar's Camp Takes Aim at GQ's 'Racial' Man of the Year Cover Story |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1717575/kendrick-lamar-gq-magazine-tde-responds-racist.jhtml |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140206162700/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1717575/kendrick-lamar-gq-magazine-tde-responds-racist.jhtml |archive-date=February 6, 2014 |access-date=October 14, 2015 |website=MTV}}</ref>

Throughout 2013, Lamar was featured on six songs: "[[YOLO (The Lonely Island song)|YOLO]]" by [[the Lonely Island]] featuring [[Adam Levine]] that premiered during his first appearance as a [[musical guest]] on ''[[Saturday Night Live]]'',<ref>{{cite news |last=Markman |first=Rob |date=January 22, 2013 |title=Kendrick Lamar To 'SNL': 'Put Me in One of Those Skits!' |publisher=[[MTV News]] |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1700645/kendrick-lamar-saturday-night-live-performer.jhtml |url-status=live |access-date=January 27, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131021080245/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1700645/kendrick-lamar-saturday-night-live-performer.jhtml |archive-date=October 21, 2013}}</ref> the remix of "[[How Many Drinks?]]" by [[Miguel (singer)|Miguel]],<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Ramirez |first=Erika |date=April 10, 2013 |title=Miguel Releases Kendrick Lamar-Assisted 'How Many Drinks?' Remix: Listen |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/miguel-releases-kendrick-lamar-assisted-how-many-drinks-remix-1556780/ |access-date=November 26, 2023 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US |archive-date=November 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231126143146/https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/miguel-releases-kendrick-lamar-assisted-how-many-drinks-remix-1556780/ |url-status=live }}</ref> "[[Collard Greens (song)|Collard Greens]]" by Schoolboy Q,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Diep |first=Eric |date=June 11, 2013 |title=ScHoolboy Q ft. Kendrick Lamar "Collard Greens" |url=https://www.xxlmag.com/schoolboy-q-ft-kendrick-lamar-collard-greens/ |url-status=live |access-date=September 26, 2023 |website=XXL |language=en |archive-date=May 6, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240506173944/https://www.xxlmag.com/schoolboy-q-ft-kendrick-lamar-collard-greens/ }}</ref> "[[Control (Big Sean song)|Control]]" with [[Big Sean]] and [[Jay Electronica]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ex |first=Kris |date=August 22, 2013 |title=The Blast Radius Of Kendrick Lamar's 'Control' Verse |url=https://www.npr.org/sections/therecord/2013/08/21/214145432/the-blast-radius-of-kendrick-lamars-control-verse |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150620182731/npr.org/sections/therecord/2013/08/21/214145432/the-blast-radius-of-kendrick-lamars-control-verse |archive-date=June 20, 2015 |website=[[NPR]]}}</ref> "[[Give It 2 U]]" by [[Robin Thicke]] featuring 2 Chainz,<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Phili |first=Stelios |date=May 7, 2013 |title=Robin Thicke on That Banned Video, Collaborating with 2 Chainz and Kendrick Lamar, and His New Film |url=https://www.gq.com/story/robin-thicke-interview-blurred-lines-music-video-collaborating-with-2-chainz-and-kendrick-lamar-mercy |url-status=live |magazine=[[GQ]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150704230814/gq.com/story/robin-thicke-interview-blurred-lines-music-video-collaborating-with-2-chainz-and-kendrick-lamar-mercy |archive-date=July 4, 2015 |access-date=December 17, 2020}}</ref> and "Love Game" by [[Eminem]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Nessif |first=Bruna |date=October 10, 2013 |title=Eminem Releases Marshall Mathers LP 2 Track List, Reveals Collaborations With Rihanna, Kendrick Lamar & More |url=http://www.eonline.com/news/469116/eminem-releases-marshall-mathers-lp-2-track-list-reveals-collaborations-with-rihanna-kendrick-lamar-more |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131014122318/http://www.eonline.com/news/469116/eminem-releases-marshall-mathers-lp-2-track-list-reveals-collaborations-with-rihanna-kendrick-lamar-more |archive-date=October 14, 2013 |access-date=October 12, 2013 |work=[[E!]] |publisher=[[NBCUniversal]]}}</ref> His performance on "Control" was described as a “wake up call” for the hip hop industry and commenced his [[Drake–Kendrick Lamar feud|decade-long feud]] with Drake.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Lamarre |first=Carl |date=May 6, 2024 |title=Drake & Kendrick Lamar's Rocky Relationship Explained |url=https://www.billboard.com/lists/drake-kendrick-lamar-beef-timeline/ |access-date=May 13, 2024 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}}</ref> ''Rolling Stone'' noted that his verse made the track one of the most important hip hop songs of the last decade.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last1=Shipley |first1=Al |last2=Reeves |first2=Mosi |last3=Lee |first3=Christina |date=March 11, 2015 |title=9 Ways Kendrick Lamar's 'Control' Verse Changed the World |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/9-ways-kendrick-lamars-control-verse-changed-the-world-177449/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191231000455/rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/9-ways-kendrick-lamars-control-verse-changed-the-world-177449/ |archive-date=December 31, 2019 |access-date=April 13, 2023 |magazine=Rolling Stone |language=en-US}}</ref>

===2014–2016: ''To Pimp a Butterfly'' and ''Untitled Unmastered''===
After his opening stint for the Yeezus Tour ended, Lamar started working on his third album.<ref name="Gordon" /> He earned seven nominations at the [[56th Annual Grammy Awards]] (January 2014), including [[Grammy Award for Best New Artist|Best New Artist]], [[Grammy Award for Best Rap Album|Best Rap Album]], and [[Grammy Award for Album of the Year|Album of the Year]] for ''Good Kid, M.A.A.D City''.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/5819883/grammy-awards-2014-full-nominations-list-complete-nominees |title=Grammy Awards 2014: Full Nominations List |magazine=Billboard |date=December 6, 2013 |access-date=October 14, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160813121343/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/5819883/grammy-awards-2014-full-nominations-list-complete-nominees |archive-date=August 13, 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref> He was winless at the ceremony, which several media outlets felt was a [[snub]].<ref>{{cite web |first=April |last=Sperry |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/01/26/grammys-2014-snubs_n_4670869.html |title=Here Are The Biggest Snubs of the 2014 Grammys |work=The Huffington Post |date=January 26, 2014 |access-date=April 22, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140320093544/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/01/26/grammys-2014-snubs_n_4670869.html |archive-date=March 20, 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |date=January 20, 2020 |title=The Greatest Grammy Snubs of All Time |url=https://www.vulture.com/article/the-greatest-grammys-snubs-of-all-time.html |url-status=live |magazine=Vulture |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200121033324/vulture.com/article/the-greatest-grammys-snubs-of-all-time.html |archive-date=January 21, 2020 |access-date=July 31, 2023}}</ref> [[Macklemore]], who won Best New Artist and Best Rap Album, shared a text message that he sent Lamar after the ceremony ended, in which he apologized for winning over him.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Breihan |first=Tom |date=January 27, 2014 |title=Read Macklemore's Apology Text To Kendrick Lamar For Winning Best Rap Album Grammy |url=https://www.stereogum.com/1644301/read-macklemores-apology-text-to-kendrick-lamar-for-winning-best-rap-album-grammy/news/ |url-status=live |magazine=Sterogum |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140130062538/https://www.stereogum.com/1644301/read-macklemores-apology-text-to-kendrick-lamar-for-winning-best-rap-album-grammy/news/ |archive-date=January 30, 2014 |access-date=July 23, 2023}}</ref> The incident was the subject of widespread media attention, controversy and [[Internet meme]]s.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Locker |first=Melissa |date=January 27, 2014 |title=Grammys 2014: Macklemore Says Kendrick Lamar "Was Robbed" On Best Rap Album |url=https://time.com/2103/grammys-2014-macklemore-says-kendrick-lamar-was-robbed-on-best-rap-album/ |url-status=live |magazine=Time |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150219083844/https://time.com/ |archive-date=February 19, 2015 |access-date=July 31, 2023}}</ref> During the awards ceremony, Lamar performed a mashup of "M.A.A.D City" and "[[Radioactive (Imagine Dragons song)|Radioactive]]" with [[Rock music|rock]] band [[Imagine Dragons]], which was met with critical acclaim.<ref>{{cite web |last=Llacoma |first=Janice |url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/videos/id.15384/title.kendrick-lamar-imagine-dragons-m-a-a-d-city-radioactive-2014-grammy-performance- |title=Kendrick Lamar & Imagine Dragons "m.A.A.d city" & "Radioactive" (2014 GRAMMY Performance) |work=[[HipHopDX]] |date=January 26, 2014 |access-date=January 28, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140129033059/http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/videos/id.15384/title.kendrick-lamar-imagine-dragons-m-a-a-d-city-radioactive-2014-grammy-performance- |archive-date=January 29, 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Catucci |first=Nick |date=January 27, 2014 |title=How Kendrick Lamar (and Imagine Dragons) won the Grammys |url=https://ew.com/article/2014/01/27/kendrick-lamar-imagine-dragons-radioactive-grammys/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150201074256/https://ew.com/article/2014/01/27/kendrick-lamar-imagine-dragons-radioactive-grammys/ |archive-date=February 1, 2015 |access-date=August 3, 2023 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly}}</ref>

Lamar opened for Eminem on the [[Rapture Tour]] from February to July 2014.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/the-juice/5763127/eminem-kendrick-lamar-j-cole-heading-down-under-for-rapture|magazine=Billboard|publisher=Prometheus Global Media|access-date=April 22, 2014|date=October 21, 2013|last=Brandle|first=Lars|title=Eminem, Kendrick Lamar & J. Cole Heading Down Under for 'Rapture' Stadium Tour|archive-date=February 21, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140221130526/http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/the-juice/5763127/eminem-kendrick-lamar-j-cole-heading-down-under-for-rapture|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mlive.com/entertainment/detroit/index.ssf/2014/02/eminem_kendrick_lamar_action_b.html|title=Eminem, Kendrick Lamar, Action Bronson, J. Cole hit Australia for Rapture Tour; view fan photos|first=Eric|last=Lacy|date=February 19, 2014|access-date=April 22, 2014|work=Michigan Live|archive-date=April 21, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140421065736/http://www.mlive.com/entertainment/detroit/index.ssf/2014/02/eminem_kendrick_lamar_action_b.html|url-status=live}}</ref> On August 9, he premiered the short film ''M.A.A.D'', which he starred in, commissioned and produced, during the [[Sundance Institute]]'s Next Fest.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Forman |first=Olivia |date=July 31, 2014 |title=Kendrick Lamar's 'M.A.A.D' Short Film Headed To Sundance NEXT Fest |url=https://www.spin.com/2014/07/kendrick-lamar-short-film-maad-sundance-next-fest/ |url-status=live |magazine=Spin |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160506235418/https://www.spin.com/2014/07/kendrick-lamar-short-film-maad-sundance-next-fest/ |archive-date=May 6, 2016 |access-date=August 1, 2023}}</ref> He released "[[I (Kendrick Lamar song)|I]]" as the lead single to his third album, ''[[To Pimp a Butterfly]]'', on September 23, which won [[Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance|Best Rap Performance]] and [[Grammy Award for Best Rap Song|Best Rap Song]] at the [[57th Annual Grammy Awards]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://uk.complex.com/music/2014/09/kendrick-lamar-i |title=Listen to Kendrick Lamar's "I" |work=Complex |author=Frydenlund, Zach |date=September 23, 2014 |access-date=September 24, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150722110038/http://uk.complex.com/music/2014/09/kendrick-lamar-i |archive-date=July 22, 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |date=February 8, 2015 |title=Grammys 2015: Kendrick Lamar and Eminem Win Big in Rap Categories |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/grammys-2015-kendrick-lamar-eminem-771149/ |url-status=live |magazine=The Hollywood Reporter |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210512221525/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/grammys-2015-kendrick-lamar-eminem-771149/ |archive-date=May 12, 2021 |access-date=August 1, 2013}}</ref> His performance of "I" during his second appearance as a musical guest on ''Saturday Night Live'' was lauded by contemporary critics.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Coleman |first=Miriam |date=November 16, 2014 |title=Kendrick Lamar Makes a Triumphant Return to 'SNL' |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/kendrick-lamar-makes-a-triumphant-return-to-snl-20141116 |url-status=live |magazine=Rolling Stone |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151127203414/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/kendrick-lamar-makes-a-triumphant-return-to-snl-20141116 |archive-date=November 27, 2015 |access-date=September 2, 2017}}</ref> Lamar was featured on three songs in 2014: "[[It's On Again]]" by [[Alicia Keys]],<ref>{{cite web|last1=Lee|first1=Ashley|title=Alicia Keys, Kendrick Lamar Release 'Amazing Spider-Man 2' Song (Audio)|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/earshot/audio-alicia-keys-kendrick-lamar-692266|website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|access-date=January 5, 2018|date=March 31, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180206073517/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/earshot/audio-alicia-keys-kendrick-lamar-692266|archive-date=February 6, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> "[[Z (EP)|Babylon]]" by [[SZA]],<ref>{{cite web |last=Geslani |first=Michelle |url=https://consequence.net/2014/04/listen-szas-new-version-of-babylon-featuring-kendrick-lamar/ |title=Listen: SZA's new version of "Babylon", featuring Kendrick Lamar |work=Consequence of Sound |date=April 7, 2014 |access-date=April 12, 2014 |archive-date=January 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230117191548/https://consequence.net/2014/04/listen-szas-new-version-of-babylon-featuring-kendrick-lamar/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and "[[Never Catch Me]]" by [[Flying Lotus]].<ref>{{cite magazine |author=Grow, Kory |date=September 3, 2014 |title=Hear Flying Lotus and Kendrick Lamar's Jazzy Song 'Never Catch Me' |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/hear-flying-lotus-and-kendrick-lamars-jazzy-song-never-catch-me-20140903 |url-status=live |magazine=Rolling Stone |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111215128/rollingstone.com/music/music-news/hear-flying-lotus-and-kendrick-lamars-jazzy-song-never-catch-me-45306/ |archive-date=November 11, 2020 |access-date=December 8, 2015}}</ref> He won Lyricist of the Year for the second consecutive time at the [[2014 BET Hip Hop Awards]].<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Stutz |first=Colin |date=October 15, 2014 |title=Drake, DJ Mustard Take Top Honors at 2014 BET Hip Hop Awards: Full Winners List |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/drake-dj-mustard-2014-bet-hip-hop-awards-winners-list-6281759/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220605082229/billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/drake-dj-mustard-2014-bet-hip-hop-awards-winners-list-6281759/ |archive-date=June 5, 2022 |access-date=June 5, 2022 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}}</ref>

[[File:Kendrick 2015.jpg|thumb|250px|Lamar at the [[Hollywood Palladium]] before the [[57th Annual Grammy Awards]] (2015), where he won [[Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance|Best Rap Performance]] and [[Grammy Award for Best Rap Song|Best Rap Song]] for "[[I (Kendrick Lamar song)|I]]"]]
Originally scheduled to arrive at a later date, ''To Pimp a Butterfly'' was released on March 15, 2015.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/music/2015/03/16/kendrick-lamar-to-pimp-a-butterfly/24834573/ |title=Kendrick Lamar's new album arrives early |date=March 16, 2015 |last=Ryan |first=Patrick |access-date=March 16, 2015 |work=[[USA Today]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150316083602/http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/music/2015/03/16/kendrick-lamar-to-pimp-a-butterfly/24834573/ |archive-date=March 16, 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref> The album incorporated various genres synonymous with [[African-American music|African American music]], such as [[jazz]], [[funk]], and [[Soul music|soul]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Kornhaber |first=Stephen |date=March 17, 2015 |title=The Power in Kendrick Lamar's Complexity |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2015/03/kendrick-lamars-bittersweet-cacophony-to-pimp-a-butterfly/387949/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160311221501/http://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2015/03/kendrick-lamars-bittersweet-cacophony-to-pimp-a-butterfly/387949/ |archive-date=March 11, 2016 |access-date=March 21, 2016 |work=[[The Atlantic]]}}</ref> To capture its essence, Lamar recruited producers such as [[Sounwave]], Pharrell Williams, [[Terrace Martin]], and [[Thundercat (musician)|Thundercat]].<ref>{{cite web |author=Rys |first=Dan |date=March 18, 2015 |title=Sounwave Says Kendrick Lamar's 'To Pimp a Butterfly' Went Through Three Phases |url=http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2015/03/sounwave-kendrick-lamar-pimp-butterfly-interview/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150919211440/http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2015/03/sounwave-kendrick-lamar-pimp-butterfly-interview/ |archive-date=September 19, 2015 |access-date=September 16, 2015 |work=XXL}}</ref> Alford contributed [[Backing vocalist|background vocals]] on select tracks.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Garrison |first=Lucas |date=March 18, 2015 |title=All 71 People on Kendrick Lamar's 'To Pimp A Butterfly' Album |language=en |work=DJBooth |url=https://djbooth.net/features/2015-03-18-kendrick-lamar-to-pimp-a-butterfly-album-credits |access-date=September 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180222055849/djbooth.net/features/2015-03-18-kendrick-lamar-to-pimp-a-butterfly-album-credits |archive-date=February 22, 2018}}</ref> Other singles from the album were "[[The Blacker the Berry (song)|The Blacker the Berry]]",<ref>{{cite web |last=Geslani |first=Michelle |date=February 9, 2015 |title=Kendrick Lamar premieres 'The Blacker The Berry', his intense, racially-charged new single – listen |url=https://consequence.net/2015/02/kendrick-lamar-premieres-new-single-the-blacker-the-berry/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160625204552/https://consequence.net/2015/02/kendrick-lamar-premieres-new-single-the-blacker-the-berry/ |archive-date=June 25, 2016 |access-date=February 19, 2015 |work=Consequence of Sound}}</ref> "[[King Kunta]]",<ref>{{cite web |author=Cook-Wilson |first=Winston |date=March 16, 2015 |title=Kendrick Lamar - "King Kunta" |url=http://pitchfork.com/reviews/tracks/17380-kendrick-lamar-king-kunta/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160526085149/http://pitchfork.com/reviews/tracks/17380-kendrick-lamar-king-kunta/ |archive-date=May 26, 2016 |access-date=June 1, 2016 |website=Pitchfork |publisher=}}</ref> "[[Alright (Kendrick Lamar song)|Alright]]", and "[[These Walls (Kendrick Lamar song)|These Walls]]"–all of which enjoyed moderate commercial success.<ref>{{cite web |date=June 11, 2015 |title=Kendrick Lamar Picks Fourth Single from 'To Pimp a Butterfly' |url=http://www.24urban.com/news/kendrick-lamar-picks-fourth-single-from-to-pimp-a-butterfly |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150612085642/http://www.24urban.com/news/kendrick-lamar-picks-fourth-single-from-to-pimp-a-butterfly |archive-date=June 12, 2015 |access-date=June 11, 2015 |website=24Urban |publisher=}}</ref> Selling 324,000 copies in its first week, ''To Pimp a Butterfly'' became Lamar's first number-one album on the ''Billboard'' 200 and set [[Spotify]]’s global first-day streaming record (9.6 million).<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Caulfield |first=Keith |date=March 25, 2015 |title=Kendrick Lamar Earns His First No.1 Album on Billboard 200 Chart |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/6509621/kendrick-lamar-earns-first-no-1-album-billboard-200 |url-status=live |magazine=Billboard |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150531000307/http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/6509621/kendrick-lamar-earns-first-no-1-album-billboard-200 |archive-date=May 31, 2015 |access-date=May 27, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Renshaw |first=David |date=March 18, 2015 |title=Kendrick Lamar's 'To Pimp A Butterfly' breaks global Spotify record with 9.6m streams in one day |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/kendrick-lamar-84-1214013 |url-status=live |magazine=NME |access-date=August 1, 2023 |archive-date=November 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231124032041/https://www.nme.com/news/music/kendrick-lamar-84-1214013 }}</ref> ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' commented that "twenty years ago, a conscious rap record wouldn't have penetrated the mainstream in the way [Lamar] did with ''To Pimp a Butterfly''. His sense of timing is impeccable. In the midst of rampant cases of police brutality and racial tension across America, he spews raw, aggressive bard while possible cutting a rug."<ref name="Billboard top albums 2015">{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/photos/6792633/best-albums-of-2015/1 |title=Billboard.com's 25 Best Albums of 2015: Critics' Picks |magazine=Billboard  |date=December 15, 2015 |access-date=December 15, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151218080508/http://www.billboard.com/photos/6792633/best-albums-of-2015/1 |archive-date=December 18, 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref> ''[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]'' opined that the album "forced critics to think deeply about music."<ref name="Ex">{{Cite web |last=Ex |first=Kris |date=December 16, 2015 |title=The 50 Best Albums of 2015 |url=https://pitchfork.com/features/lists-and-guides/9764-the-50-best-albums-of-2015/?page=5 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170327184025/pitchfork.com/features/lists-and-guides/9764-the-50-best-albums-of-2015/?page=5 |archive-date=March 27, 2017 |access-date=May 19, 2023 |website=Pitchfork |language=en}}</ref>

In April 2015, Lamar and Alford announced their [[engagement]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=White |first=Caitlin |date=April 3, 2015 |title=Kendrick Lamar Announces Engagement, Reveals Origin Of Tupac Interview On The Breakfast Club |url=https://www.stereogum.com/1791923/kendrick-lamar-announces-engagement-reveals-origin-of-tupac-interview-on-the-breakfast-club/news/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210514184810/stereogum.com/1791923/kendrick-lamar-announces-engagement-reveals-origin-of-tupac-interview-on-the-breakfast-club/news/ |archive-date=May 14, 2021 |access-date=September 26, 2023 |website=Stereogum |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Golden |first=Zara |date=April 3, 2015 |title=Kendrick Lamar Got Engaged On The Low |url=https://www.thefader.com/2015/04/03/kendrick-lamar-reveals-he-is-engaged |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150405002749/https://www.thefader.com/2015/04/03/kendrick-lamar-reveals-he-is-engaged |archive-date=April 5, 2015 |access-date=September 26, 2023 |website=The Fader |language=en}}</ref> He earned his first number-one single on the Hot 100 through the remix of singer-songwriter [[Taylor Swift]]'s "[[Bad Blood (Taylor Swift song)|Bad Blood]]".<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Strecker |first1=Erin |title=Taylor Swift's 'Bad Blood' Video Premieres |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/bbma/6568593/taylor-swift-bad-blood-video-premiere-watch-kendrick-lamar |access-date=May 23, 2015 |magazine=Billboard |date=May 17, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150521025412/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/bbma/6568593/taylor-swift-bad-blood-video-premiere-watch-kendrick-lamar |archive-date=May 21, 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |last=Trust |first=Gary |date=May 27, 2015 |title=Taylor Swift's 'Bad Blood' Blasts to No.1 on Hot 100 |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/6576177/taylor-swift-bad-blood-tops-hot-100 |url-status=live |magazine=Billboard |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150528115851/http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/6576177/taylor-swift-bad-blood-tops-hot-100 |archive-date=May 28, 2015 |access-date=May 27, 2015}}</ref> It won [[MTV Video Music Award for Video of the Year|Video of the Year]] and [[MTV Video Music Award for Best Collaboration|Best Collaboration]] at the [[2015 MTV Video Music Awards]], while the music video for "Alright" won [[MTV Video Music Award for Best Direction|Best Direction]].<ref>{{cite magazine | url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/events/vma/6678711/vmas-2015-winners-list-full | title=MTV Video Music Awards 2015: The Winners Are… | magazine=Billboard | date=August 30, 2015 | access-date=April 5, 2016 | archive-date=September 13, 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150913034243/http://www.billboard.com/articles/events/vma/6678711/vmas-2015-winners-list-full | url-status=live }}</ref> Lamar later [[Re-recording (music)|re-recorded]] his featured appearance on the "[[Bad Blood (Taylor Swift song)#"Bad Blood (Taylor's Version)"|Bad Blood]]" remix in support of Swift's counteraction to her [[Taylor Swift masters dispute|2019 masters dispute]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Shafer |first=Ellise |date=October 27, 2023 |title=Taylor Swift Thanks Kendrick Lamar for Re-Recording 'Bad Blood' Verse on '1989 (Taylor's Version)': 'Surreal and Bewildering' |url=https://variety.com/2023/music/news/taylor-swift-kendrick-lamar-bad-blood-1989-taylors-version-1235770455/ |access-date=November 23, 2023 |website=Variety |language=en-US |archive-date=October 27, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231027125452/https://variety.com/2023/music/news/taylor-swift-kendrick-lamar-bad-blood-1989-taylors-version-1235770455/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Del Rosario |first=Alexandra |date=October 27, 2023 |title=Kendrick Lamar revisited Taylor Swift's 'Bad Blood' and Swifties are grateful: 'Legend' |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/music/story/2023-10-27/taylor-swift-kendrick-lamar-bad-blood-1989-rerecording |access-date=November 23, 2023 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US |archive-date=November 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231124032042/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/music/story/2023-10-27/taylor-swift-kendrick-lamar-bad-blood-1989-rerecording |url-status=live }}</ref> He opened the [[BET Awards 2015|2015 BET Awards]] with a controversial performance of "Alright" and won Best Male Hip Hop Artist.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Young |first=Alex |date=June 28, 2015 |title=Kendrick Lamar's BET Awards performance was more excellent than "Alright" — watch |url=https://consequence.net/2015/06/kendrick-lamars-bet-awards-performance-was-more-excellent-than-alright-watch/ |url-status=live |magazine=Consequence of Sound |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211202214005/https://consequence.net/2015/06/kendrick-lamars-bet-awards-performance-was-more-excellent-than-alright-watch/ |archive-date=December 2, 2021 |access-date=August 1, 2023}}</ref> He also won three awards at the [[2015 BET Hip Hop Awards]].<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=McCall |first=Malorie |date=October 13, 2015 |title=BET Hip Hop Awards Winners 2015 List: Kendrick Lamar & Big Sean Win Big |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/bet-hip-hop-awards-2015-winners-6729419/ |url-status=live |magazine=Billboard |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211204122408/https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/bet-hip-hop-awards-2015-winners-6729419/ |archive-date=December 4, 2021 |access-date=August 1, 2023}}</ref> In support of ''To Pimp a Butterfly'', Lamar embarked on the Kunta's Groove Sessions Tour, which ran from October to November 2015 in select intimate venues across the U.S.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lockett |first=Dee |date=November 3, 2015 |title=Kendrick Lamar's Kunta's Groove Sessions Just May Be the Best Rap Tour of 2015 |url=https://www.vulture.com/2015/11/review-kendrick-lamar-kuntas-groove-sessions-terminal-5.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151107003624/vulture.com/2015/11/review-kendrick-lamar-kuntas-groove-sessions-terminal-5.html |archive-date=November 7, 2015 |access-date=August 3, 2023 |website=Vulture |language=en-us}}</ref> For his work on the album and other collaborations throughout the year, Lamar earned 11 nominations at the [[58th Annual Grammy Awards]], [[Grammy Award milestones|the most by a rapper in a single night]].<ref name="grammys16noms">{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/grammys/6785974/grammy-nominations-2016-full-list |title=Grammy Nominations 2016: See the Full List of Nominees  |magazine=Billboard |date=December 7, 2015 |access-date=December 7, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151210021119/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/grammys/6785974/grammy-nominations-2016-full-list |archive-date=December 10, 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref> He led the winners with five awards: ''To Pimp a Butterfly'' was named Best Rap Album, "Alright" won Best Rap Performance and Best Rap Song, "These Walls" won [[Grammy Award for Best Melodic Rap Performance|Best Rap/Sung Performance]], and "Bad Blood" won [[Grammy Award for Best Music Video|Best Music Video]].<ref name="grammys16">{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/grammy-awards-2016-the-complete-winners-list-20160215 |title=Grammys 2016: The Complete Winners List |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=February 16, 2016 |access-date=February 16, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160216075538/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/grammy-awards-2016-the-complete-winners-list-20160215 |archive-date=February 16, 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref>

During the ceremony, Lamar performed a critically acclaimed medley of "The Blacker the Berry", "Alright", and [[Untitled 03 – 05.28.2013.|an untitled song]].<ref name="auto">{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/grammys/6875385/2016-grammys-performances-ranked |title=2016 Grammys Performances Ranked From Worst to Best |magazine=Billboard |date=February 16, 2016 |access-date=February 16, 2016 |author=Lynch, Joe |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160216065940/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/grammys/6875385/2016-grammys-performances-ranked |archive-date=February 16, 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref> He revealed that the untitled track is from a "chamber of material" taken from the recording sessions of ''To Pimp a Butterfly'' that he was "in love with" but were not included on the album due to [[Sampling (music)|sample clearances]] and deadlines.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Blisten |first=Jon |date=February 16, 2016 |title=Kendrick Lamar: New Grammy Song From 'Chamber' of Unreleased Material |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/kendrick-lamar-new-grammy-song-from-chamber-of-unreleased-material-20160216 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190328202930/rollingstone.com/music/music-news/kendrick-lamar-new-grammy-song-from-chamber-of-unreleased-material-164495/ |archive-date=March 28, 2019 |access-date=March 4, 2016 |magazine=Rolling Stone}}</ref> He previously performed untitled songs on ''[[The Colbert Report]]'' (December 2014) and ''The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon'' (January 2016).<ref>{{cite web |last=Minsker |first=Evan |date=December 17, 2014 |title=Kendrick Lamar Debuts New Song on 'The Colbert Report' |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/57867-kendrick-lamar-debuts-new-song-on-the-colbert-report/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190701215046/https://pitchfork.com/news/57867-kendrick-lamar-debuts-new-song-on-the-colbert-report/ |archive-date=July 1, 2019 |access-date=April 16, 2020 |work=Pitchfork}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |last=Kreps |first=Daniel |date=January 8, 2016 |title=Kendrick Lamar Unveils Powerful New Song 'Untitled 2' on 'Fallon' |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/kendrick-lamar-unveils-powerful-new-cut-untitled-2-on-fallon-20160108 |url-status=live |magazine=Rolling Stone |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160313080045/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/kendrick-lamar-unveils-powerful-new-cut-untitled-2-on-fallon-20160108 |archive-date=March 13, 2016 |access-date=March 4, 2016}}</ref> After receiving a request from basketball player [[LeBron James]] to share the untitled works, Lamar released his first compilation album, ''[[Untitled Unmastered]]'', on March 4, 2016.<ref>{{cite magazine |author=Stutz |first=Colin |date=March 3, 2016 |title=Kendrick Lamar Drops Surprise 'Untitled Unmastered' Album |url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/6898193/kendrick-lamar-surprise-untitled-unmastered-album |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220519173117/billboard.com/music/music-news/kendrick-lamar-surprise-untitled-unmastered-album-6898193/ |archive-date=May 19, 2022 |access-date=March 3, 2016 |magazine=Billboard}}</ref> It contained eight untitled, dated, unfinished, and entirely self-written tracks that were intended to be included on ''To Pimp a Butterfly'', and continued the album's exploration of jazz, funk, soul, and [[Avant-garde music|avant-garde]] styles.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/63912-kendrick-lamar-releases-new-album-untitled-unmastered/ |title=Kendrick Lamar Releases New Album untitled unmastered. |work=Pitchfork |date=March 4, 2016 |access-date=March 4, 2016 |author=Gordon, Jeremy |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304061646/http://pitchfork.com/news/63912-kendrick-lamar-releases-new-album-untitled-unmastered/ |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref> ''Untitled Unmastered'' received critical acclaim and debuted atop the ''Billboard'' 200 with 178,000 [[album-equivalent unit]]s, becoming Lamar's second consecutive number-one project.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Caulfield |first1=Keith |date=March 13, 2016 |title=Kendrick Lamar's Surprise 'Untitled' Album Debuts at No.1 on Billboard 200 Chart |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/7256257/kendrick-lamar-untitled-album-no-1-billboard-200 |url-status=live |magazine=Billboard |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160315103125/http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/7256257/kendrick-lamar-untitled-album-no-1-billboard-200 |archive-date=March 15, 2016 |access-date=March 13, 2016}}</ref> Throughout the year, he was featured on four commercially successful songs: [[Beyoncé]]'s "[[Freedom (Beyoncé song)|Freedom]]",<ref>{{cite web |last=Yoo |first=Noah |date=April 23, 2016 |title=Beyoncé Releases New Album Lemonade Featuring Kendrick Lamar, Jack White, the Weeknd, James Blake |url=http://pitchfork.com/news/63381-beyonce-releases-new-album-lemonade-featuring-kendrick-lamar-jack-white-the-weeknd-james-blake/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160425100613/http://pitchfork.com/news/63381-beyonce-releases-new-album-lemonade-featuring-kendrick-lamar-jack-white-the-weeknd-james-blake/ |archive-date=April 25, 2016 |access-date=April 23, 2016 |website=[[Pitchfork Media]]}}</ref> [[Maroon 5]]'s "[[Don't Wanna Know]]",<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Havens |first=Lyndsey |date=October 11, 2016 |title=Maroon 5 to Drop New Single 'Don't Wanna Know' Featuring Kendrick Lamar Tonight |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/7540939/maroon-5-dont-wanna-know-kendrick-lamar-new |url-status=live |magazine=Billboard |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220605111924/billboard.com/music/pop/maroon-5-dont-wanna-know-kendrick-lamar-new-7540939/ |archive-date=June 5, 2022 |access-date=January 28, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |last=Lipshutz |first=Jason |date=November 20, 2016 |title=Watch Maroon 5, Kendrick Lamar Perform 'Don't Wanna Know' at the 2016 AMAs |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/7581473/maroon-5-dont-wanna-know-amas-2016 |url-status=live |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220519163912/https://www.billboard.com/music/awards/maroon-5-dont-wanna-know-amas-2016-7581473/ |archive-date=May 19, 2022 |access-date=November 20, 2016}}</ref> [[the Weeknd]]'s "[[Sidewalks (The Weeknd song)|Sidewalks]]",<ref>{{cite web |last=Friend |first=David |date=November 25, 2016 |title=Five things we learned from The Weeknd's latest album, 'Starboy' |url=https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/music/2016/11/25/five-things-we-learned-from-the-weeknds-latest-album-starboy.html |access-date=June 21, 2017 |website=Toronto Star |archive-date=September 10, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170910125202/https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/music/2016/11/25/five-things-we-learned-from-the-weeknds-latest-album-starboy.html |url-status=live }}</ref> and [[Travis Scott]]'s "[[Goosebumps (Travis Scott song)|Goosebumps]]".<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Platon |first=Adelle |date=September 2, 2016 |title=Travis Scott Talks 'Birds in the Trap Sing McKnight' Title, Collaborating with Kendrick Lamar & Andre 3000 |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/travis-scott-birds-in-the-trap-sing-mcknight-title-kendrick-lamar-andre-3000-7495874/ |access-date=November 24, 2023 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US |archive-date=December 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231212030603/https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/travis-scott-birds-in-the-trap-sing-mcknight-title-kendrick-lamar-andre-3000-7495874/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

===2017–2019: ''Damn'' and ''Black Panther: The Album''===
{{Further|Criticism of Spotify#2017–18: Hate Content & Hateful Conduct policy}}[[File:Kendrick Lamar- The DAMN. Tour @ TD Garden (Boston, MA) (36059988466).jpg|thumb|250px|Lamar on [[the Damn Tour]] (2017)|left]]
On March 1, 2017, during a joint cover story with [[Beck]] and [[Tom Waits]] for ''[[T (magazine)|T: The New York Times Style Magazine]]'', Lamar confirmed that he was working on his fourth album.<ref name="Mason">{{Cite magazine |last=Mason |first=Wyatt |date=March 1, 2017 |title=Three Iconic Musicians on Artistic Creation — and Its Importance Now |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/01/t-magazine/beck-tom-waits-kendrick-lamar.html |url-status=live |magazine=T |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230709164621/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/01/t-magazine/beck-tom-waits-kendrick-lamar.html |archive-date=July 9, 2023 |access-date=July 28, 2023}}</ref> He released the promotional single "[[The Heart Part 4]]" on March 23, before releasing the album's lead single "[[Humble (song)|Humble]]" on March 30.<ref>{{cite web |last=Weinstein |first=Max |date=March 24, 2017 |title=Kendrick Lamar Drops New Single 'The Heart Part 4' |url=http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2017/03/kendrick-lamar-heart-part-4/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170324181807/http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2017/03/kendrick-lamar-heart-part-4/ |archive-date=March 24, 2017 |access-date=March 26, 2017 |website=XXL}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Sodomsky |first=Sam |date=March 30, 2017 |title=Kendrick Lamar Shares Video for New Song "HUMBLE.": Watch |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/72462-kendrick-lamar-shares-video-for-new-song-humble-watch/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190803075111/https://pitchfork.com/news/72462-kendrick-lamar-shares-video-for-new-song-humble-watch/ |archive-date=August 3, 2019 |access-date=March 31, 2017 |work=[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]}}</ref> The song debuted at number two on the Hot 100 and reached the top spot in its second week of charting. It is Lamar's second single, and first as a lead artist, to top the Hot 100.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Trust |first=Gary |date=April 24, 2017 |title=Kendrick Lamar's 'Humble.' Hits No.1 on Billboard Hot 100 |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/7768186/kendrick-lamar-humble-number-one-billboard-hot-100 |url-status=live |magazine=Billboard |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170424231536/http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/7768186/kendrick-lamar-humble-number-one-billboard-hot-100 |archive-date=April 24, 2017 |access-date=April 24, 2017}}</ref> His fourth album, ''[[Damn (Kendrick Lamar album)|Damn]]'', was made available for [[pre-order]] on April 7, and was released on April 14.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Kennedy |first1=Gerrick D. |title=Kendrick Lamar's new album arrives April 14 |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/music/la-et-ms-kendrick-lamar-new-album-april-14-story.html |access-date=April 7, 2017 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=April 7, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170408043559/http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/music/la-et-ms-kendrick-lamar-new-album-april-14-story.html |archive-date=April 8, 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Strauss |first=Matthew |date=April 11, 2017 |title=Kendrick Lamar Enlists Rihanna and U2 for New Album DAMN. |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/72459-kendrick-lamar-enlists-rihanna-and-u2-for-new-album-damn/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170411220824/http://pitchfork.com/news/72459-kendrick-lamar-enlists-rihanna-and-u2-for-new-album-damn/ |archive-date=April 11, 2017 |access-date=April 11, 2017 |website=[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]}}</ref> Three days later, he headlined the first of two weekends of the [[Coachella (festival)|Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival]].<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Sterling |first1=Scott T. |last2=Cosores |first2=Philip |date=April 17, 2017 |title=Coachella Review: Kendrick Lamar Delivers a DAMN. Good Performance |url=https://consequence.net/2017/04/coachella-review-kendrick-lamar-delivers-a-damn-good-performance/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230204122227/https://consequence.net/2017/04/coachella-review-kendrick-lamar-delivers-a-damn-good-performance/ |archive-date=February 4, 2023 |access-date=July 28, 2023 |website=Consequence of Sound}}</ref>

''Damn'' utilized a more mainstream musical palette than ''To Pimp a Butterfly'', exploring [[Contemporary R&B|R&B]] and [[Pop music|pop]] elements.<ref name="RSDAMN">{{Cite magazine |last1=Leight |first1=Elias |last2=Reeves |first2=Mosi |last3=Lee |first3=Christina |date=April 14, 2017 |title=Kendrick Lamar's 'Damn.': A Track-by-Track Guide |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/kendrick-lamars-damn-a-track-by-track-guide-114407/ |url-status=live |magazine=Rolling Stone |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230417080319/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/kendrick-lamars-damn-a-track-by-track-guide-114407/ |archive-date=April 17, 2023 |access-date=July 28, 2023}}</ref> Production was primarily handled by Sounwave, [[DJ Dahi]], [[Mike Will Made It]], and [[Ricci Riera]].<ref name="RSDAMN" /> ''Rolling Stone'' described its sonics as a "brilliant combination of the timeless and the modern, the old school and the next-level."<ref>{{Cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/review-kendrick-lamar-damn-album-w477376 |title=Review: Kendrick Lamar Moves From Uplift to Beast Mode on Dazzling 'Damn.' |last=Weingarten |first=Christopher R. |date=April 18, 2017 |magazine=Rolling Stone |access-date=April 19, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170420144107/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/review-kendrick-lamar-damn-album-w477376 |archive-date=April 20, 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref> ''Damn'' became Lamar's most commercially successful album. It spent four nonconsecutive weeks atop the ''Billboard'' 200, marking his third consecutive number-one album, and debuted with 603,000 units sold.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Caufield |first=Keith |date=April 22, 2017 |title=Kendrick Lamar Earns Third No. 1 Album on Billboard 200 Chart With Biggest Debut of 2017 |url=https://www.billboard.com/pro/kendrick-lamar-damn-no-1-album-billboard-200/ |url-status=live |magazine=Billboard |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221101204239/https://www.billboard.com/pro/kendrick-lamar-damn-no-1-album-billboard-200/ |archive-date=November 1, 2022 |access-date=July 28, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Caufield |first=Keith |date=August 13, 2017 |title=Kendrick Lamar's 'DAMN.' Returns to No. 1 on Billboard 200, Brett Eldredge Debuts at No. 2 |url=https://www.billboard.com/pro/kendrick-lamar-damn-no-1-billboard-200-albums-chart-brett-eldredge/ |url-status=live |magazine=Billboard |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230424071739/https://www.billboard.com/pro/kendrick-lamar-damn-no-1-billboard-200-albums-chart-brett-eldredge/ |archive-date=April 24, 2023 |access-date=July 28, 2023}}</ref> All of the album's 14 songs debuted on the Hot 100, including the top-20 singles "[[Loyalty (Kendrick Lamar song)|Loyalty]]" and "[[Love (Kendrick Lamar song)|Love]]". Lamar is the fifth act in history to chart at least 14 concurrent titles on the Hot 100.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Mendizabal |first=Amaya |date=April 24, 2017 |title=Kendrick Lamar Charts All 14 Tracks From 'DAMN.' on Billboard Hot 100 |url=https://billboard.com/pro/kendrick-lamar-all-14-tracks-damn-hot-100/ |url-status=live |magazine=Billboard |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220418214828/billboard.com/pro/kendrick-lamar-all-14-tracks-damn-hot-100/ |archive-date=April 18, 2022 |access-date=July 29, 2017}}</ref> ''Damn'' was the seventh best-selling album of 2017 according to the [[International Federation of the Phonographic Industry]], while "Humble" was the sixth best-selling single of the year.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-43877494 |title=Streaming is music's biggest money-maker |last=Savage |first=Mark |date=April 24, 2018 |work=[[BBC News]] |access-date=April 24, 2018 |archive-date=April 24, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180424151251/http://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-43877494 |url-status=live }}</ref> By June 2018, it became the first album by a rapper or solo artist to have every song featured earn a [[RIAA certification|gold certification]] or higher from the [[Recording Industry Association of America]].<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Oatman |first=Alexis |date=January 23, 2023 |title=Kendrick Lamar's 'DAMN.' Has Spent Nearly 300 Weeks On The Billboard 200 |url=https://uproxx.com/music/kendrick-lamar-billboard-damn/ |url-status=live |magazine=Uproxx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230121184538/https://uproxx.com/music/kendrick-lamar-billboard-damn/ |archive-date=January 21, 2023 |access-date=July 29, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=McIntyre |first=Hugh |date=June 8, 2018 |title=Kendrick Lamar's 'DAMN' Is Just The Second Album To Earn This Impressive Honor |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/hughmcintyre/2018/06/08/kendrick-lamars-damn-is-just-the-second-album-to-earn-this-impressive-honor/?sh=4dcf8d4bc9ac |url-status=live |access-date=July 29, 2023 |website=Forbes |archive-date=November 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231124032042/https://www.forbes.com/sites/hughmcintyre/2018/06/08/kendrick-lamars-damn-is-just-the-second-album-to-earn-this-impressive-honor/?sh=4dcf8d4bc9ac }}</ref>

To support ''Damn'', Lamar embarked on his first headlining arena tour, [[the Damn Tour]], from July 2017 to July 2018.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Kreps |first=Daniel |date=April 24, 2017 |title=Kendrick Lamar Announces 'The Damn. Tour' |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/kendrick-lamar-announces-the-damn-tour-w478353 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180714051442/rollingstone.com/music/music-news/kendrick-lamar-announces-the-damn-tour-194167/ |archive-date=July 14, 2018 |access-date=May 15, 2017 |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]}}</ref> It grossed $62.7 million in worldwide revenue, becoming one of the highest-grossing hip hop tours in history.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Allen |first=Bob |date=February 21, 2018 |title=Kendrick Lamar's DAMN. Tour Tops Hot Tours Tally With First European Totals |url=https://www.billboard.com/pro/kendrick-lamar-damn-tour-hot-tours/ |url-status=live |magazine=Billboard |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211202015608/https://www.billboard.com/pro/kendrick-lamar-damn-tour-hot-tours/ |archive-date=December 2, 2021 |access-date=July 29, 2023}}</ref> At the [[2017 MTV Video Music Awards]], Lamar opened the ceremony with a performance of "DNA" and "Humble".<ref>{{cite news |last=Lewis |first=Hilary |date=August 7, 2017 |title=VMAs: Kendrick Lamar, Miley Cyrus, Ed Sheeran to Perform |work=The Hollywood Reporter |url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/miley-cyrus-ed-sheeran-weeknd-perform-at--mtv-s-1027298 |url-status=live |access-date=August 10, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211019014733/hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/miley-cyrus-ed-sheeran-weeknd-perform-at-2017-mtv-vmas-1027298/ |archive-date=October 19, 2021}}</ref> He later won five awards, including [[MTV Video Music Award for Best Hip Hop Video|Best Hip Hop Video]], Best Direction, and Video of the Year for "Humble". Lamar is the first artist to win Video of the Year for a video that they co-directed.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Morin |first=Natalie |date=August 27, 2017 |title=2017 MTV VMA Winners: See the Full List |url=https://www.mtv.com/news/pork33/2017-mtv-vma-winners-see-the-full-list |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221116032304/mtv.com/news/pork33/2017-mtv-vma-winners-see-the-full-list |archive-date=November 16, 2022 |access-date=August 3, 2023 |website=MTV |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Park |first=Andrea |date=August 27, 2017 |title=MTV VMAs 2017: Complete list of winners |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/mtv-vmas-2017-complete-list-of-winners/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112033439/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/mtv-vmas-2017-complete-list-of-winners/ |archive-date=November 12, 2020 |access-date=2023-08-03 |website=CBS News |language=en-US}}</ref> Throughout the year, he was featured on the remix to [[Future (rapper)|Future]]'s "[[Mask Off]]",<ref>{{cite web |last=Weinstein |first=Max |date=May 23, 2017 |title=Preview Kendrick Lamar's Verse on Future's "Mask Off" Remix |url=http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2017/05/kendrick-lamar-future-mask-off-remix/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201128110126/xxlmag.com/kendrick-lamar-future-mask-off-remix/ |archive-date=November 28, 2020 |access-date=May 23, 2017 |work=[[XXL (magazine)|XXL]]}}</ref> SZA's "[[Ctrl (SZA album)|Doves in the Wind]]",<ref>{{Cite web |last=Craighead |first=Olivia |date=June 8, 2017 |title=Listen To SZA's "Doves In The Wind" Featuring Kendrick Lamar |url=http://www.thefader.com/2017/06/08/sza-doves-in-the-wind-kendrick-lamar |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230716090549/https://www.thefader.com/2017/06/08/sza-doves-in-the-wind-kendrick-lamar |archive-date=July 16, 2023 |access-date=October 8, 2017 |website=[[The Fader]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Helman |first=Peter |date=June 8, 2017 |title=SZA – "Doves In The Wind" (Feat. Kendrick Lamar) |url=https://www.stereogum.com/1945781/sza-doves-in-the-wind-feat-kendrick-lamar/music/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170613180335/stereogum.com/1945781/sza-doves-in-the-wind-feat-kendrick-lamar/music/ |archive-date=June 13, 2017 |access-date=October 8, 2017 |website=[[Stereogum]] |publisher=[[Eldridge Industries]]}}</ref> and [[Rich the Kid]]'s "[[New Freezer]]".<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Breihan |first=Tom |date=September 26, 2017 |title=Rich the Kid Enlists Kendrick Lamar for 'New Freezer': Listen |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/7980734/rich-the-kid-new-freezer-kendrick-lamar-listen |url-status=live |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221006182757/https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/rich-the-kid-new-freezer-kendrick-lamar-listen-7980734/ |archive-date=October 6, 2022 |access-date=March 15, 2018}}</ref> He won Best Male Hip Hop Artist at the [[BET Awards 2017|2017 BET Awards]],<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Iasimone |first=Ashley |date=October 10, 2017 |title=2017 BET Hip-Hop Awards: See the Winners List |magazine=Billboard |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/7997425/2017-bet-hip-hop-awards-winners-list |url-status=live |access-date=September 13, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221125064729/https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/2017-bet-hip-hop-awards-winners-list-7997425/ |archive-date=November 25, 2022}}</ref> while ''Damn'' won [[American Music Award for Favorite Rap/Hip Hop Album|Favorite Rap/Hip Hop Album]] at the [[American Music Awards of 2017|2017 American Music Awards]].<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Iasimone |first=Ashley |date=October 12, 2017 |title=Here Is the Full List of 2017 AMAs Nominations |url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/events/amas/7997612/ama-nominations-2017-full-list |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211120093815/https://www.billboard.com/music/awards/ama-nominations-2017-full-list-7997612/ |archive-date=November 20, 2021 |access-date=November 11, 2017 |magazine=Billboard |publisher=}}</ref> A [[Special edition|collector's edition]] of the album, which featured its tracklist in reverse order, was released in December.<ref>{{cite web|last=Holmes|first=Charles|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/3050894/kendrick-lamar-damn-reverse-collectors-edition/|title=Kendrick Lamar Might Be Releasing A DAMN. Collector's Edition in Reverse|publisher=MTV News|date=December 5, 2017|access-date=December 7, 2017|archive-date=December 8, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171208072229/http://www.mtv.com/news/3050894/kendrick-lamar-damn-reverse-collectors-edition/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=India|first=Lindsey|url=http://www.xxlmag.com/rap-music/new-music/2017/12/kendrick-lamar-surprises-fans-damn-collectors-edition/|title=Kendrick Lamar Surprises Fans With 'Damn.' Collectors Edition|work=XXL|date=December 8, 2017|access-date=December 11, 2017|archive-date=December 11, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171211050615/http://www.xxlmag.com/rap-music/new-music/2017/12/kendrick-lamar-surprises-fans-damn-collectors-edition|url-status=live}}</ref>

On January 4, 2018, Lamar and Tiffith announced that they would be [[Curator|curating]] and [[Executive producer|executive producing]] the [[Black Panther (soundtrack)|soundtrack album]] for the superhero film ''[[Black Panther (film)|Black Panther]]''.<ref name="Black Panther Soundtrack">{{cite web|last1=Tiffany|first1=Kaitlyn|title=Kendrick Lamar produced the soundtrack for Black Panther|url=https://www.theverge.com/2018/1/4/16849056/kendrick-lamar-all-the-stars-black-panther-soundtrack-marvel-sza|website=[[The Verge]]|access-date=January 4, 2018|date=January 4, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180104154233/https://www.theverge.com/2018/1/4/16849056/kendrick-lamar-all-the-stars-black-panther-soundtrack-marvel-sza|archive-date=January 4, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> It was released on February 9 and was supported with three commercially successful singles: "[[All the Stars]]",<ref>{{cite web |last=Madden |first=Sidney |date=January 4, 2018 |title=Kendrick Lamar And SZA Release 'All the Stars' Single From 'Black Panther' |url=https://www.npr.org/sections/therecord/2018/01/04/575609889/kendrick-lamar-and-sza-release-all-the-stars-single-from-black-panther |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180104171621/https://www.npr.org/sections/therecord/2018/01/04/575609889/kendrick-lamar-and-sza-release-all-the-stars-single-from-black-panther |archive-date=January 4, 2018 |access-date=January 4, 2018 |website=[[NPR|National Public Radio]]}}</ref> "[[King's Dead]]",<ref>{{cite magazine|last1=Grey|first1=Julia|title=Jay Rock Drops 'Black Panther' Soundtrack Cut 'King's Dead,' Feat. Kendrick Lamar, Future & James Blake|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/8094068/jay-rock-black-panther-kings-dead-kendrick-lamar-future-james-blake|magazine=Billboard|access-date=February 1, 2018|date=January 11, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180423095635/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/8094068/jay-rock-black-panther-kings-dead-kendrick-lamar-future-james-blake|archive-date=April 23, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> and "[[Pray for Me (song)|Pray for Me]]".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Reilly |first=Nick |date=February 2, 2018 |title=Pray For Me: Kendrick Lamar and The Weeknd release 'Black Panther' collaboration |language=en-US |work=NME |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/listen-kendrick-lamar-weeknds-black-panther-collaboration-2234815 |url-status=live |access-date=February 8, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180209003004/http://www.nme.com/news/music/listen-kendrick-lamar-weeknds-black-panther-collaboration-2234815 |archive-date=February 9, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Moniuszko |first=Sara M. |date=January 15, 2018 |title=Everything we know about the Marvel superhero film 'Black Panther' |language=en |work=USA TODAY |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/entertainthis/2018/01/15/everything-we-know-marvel-superhero-film-black-panther/1020519001/ |url-status=live |access-date=February 9, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180115143446/https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/entertainthis/2018/01/15/everything-we-know-marvel-superhero-film-black-panther/1020519001/ |archive-date=January 15, 2018}}</ref> Lamar contributed lead and background vocals to every track on the album, regardless of credit, and produced on select songs.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2018/feb/09/black-panther-soundtrack-review-kendrick-lamar|title=Black Panther soundtrack review - Kendrick Lamar's Superfly moment|last=Petridis|first=Alexis|date=February 9, 2018|website=The Guardian|language=en|access-date=February 10, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180211190032/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2018/feb/09/black-panther-soundtrack-review-kendrick-lamar|archive-date=February 11, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.vulture.com/2018/02/the-black-panther-soundtrack-is-more-than-a-tasteful-tie-in.html|title=Kendrick Lamar's Black Panther: The Album Is More Than Just a Tasteful Tie-in|last=Jenkins|first=Craig|work=Vulture|access-date=February 10, 2018|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180209210124/http://www.vulture.com/2018/02/the-black-panther-soundtrack-is-more-than-a-tasteful-tie-in.html|archive-date=February 9, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> Music critics consider ''Black Panther: The Album'' to be a milestone achievement, giving praise towards its lyrics and cultural significance.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Miller |first=Matt |date=February 9, 2018 |title=The Black Panther Soundtrack Is a Stunning Moment in Film History |url=https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/music/a16839683/black-panther-soundtrack-review/ |url-status=live |magazine=Esquire |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180227191646/esquire.com/entertainment/music/a16839683/black-panther-soundtrack-review/ |archive-date=February 27, 2018 |access-date=February 27, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Johnston |first=Kathleen |date=February 12, 2018 |title=The Black Panther soundtrack is an album worth celebrating |url=https://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/article/black-panther-soundtrack-review |url-status=live |magazine=GQ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180214133909/https://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/article/black-panther-soundtrack-review |archive-date=February 14, 2018 |access-date=July 30, 2023}}</ref> It spent two consecutive weeks atop the ''Billboard'' 200.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Caulfield |first=Keith |date=February 25, 2018 |title='Black Panther: The Album' No. 1 on Billboard 200 Chart for Second Week |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/8219136/black-panther-album-billboard-200-no-1-second-week |url-status=live |magazine=Billboard |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230608155417/https://www.billboard.com/pro/black-panther-album-billboard-200-no-1-second-week/ |archive-date=June 8, 2023 |access-date=February 26, 2018}}</ref> Lamar opened the [[60th Annual Grammy Awards]] performing a medley with rock band [[U2]], featuring narration by [[Dave Chappelle]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Hooton|first=Christopher|title=Kendrick Lamar gave the Grammys the performance it doesn't deserve: Watch|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/kendrick-lamar-grammys-2018-performance-watch-video-dave-chappelle-u2-tracklist-a8182801.html|website=[[The Independent]]|access-date=January 30, 2018|date=January 29, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180131023818/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/kendrick-lamar-grammys-2018-performance-watch-video-dave-chappelle-u2-tracklist-a8182801.html|archive-date=January 31, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> He won five awards during ceremony: ''Damn'' was named Best Rap Album, "Humble" won Best Rap Performance, Best Rap Song, and Best Music Video and "Loyalty" won Best Rap/Sung Performance.<ref name="damn grammys">{{cite web|last=Chow|first=Andrew R.|title=Grammy 2018 Winners: Full List|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/28/arts/music/grammy-winners.html|website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|access-date=January 30, 2018|date=January 28, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180129235425/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/28/arts/music/grammy-winners.html|archive-date=January 29, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

''Damn'' won the [[Pulitzer Prize for Music]] on April 16, 2018, marking the first time a musical composition outside of the classical and jazz genres received the honor. The Pulitzer [[jury]] praised the album as "a virtuosic song collection unified by its [[vernacular]] authenticity and rhythmic dynamism that offers affecting [[Vignette (literature)|vignettes]] capturing the complexity of modern African American life."<ref>{{Cite news |date=April 16, 2018 |title=Kendrick Lamar the 1st rapper to win Pulitzer |language=en-US |work=The Associated Press |publisher=WANE |url=http://www.wane.com/entertainment/kendrick-lamar-the-1st-rapper-to-win-pulitzer/1126067529 |url-status=live |access-date=April 16, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200917174643/wane.com/entertainment-news/kendrick-lamar-the-1st-rapper-to-win-pulitzer/ |archive-date=September 17, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Fekadu |first=Mesfin |date=April 16, 2018 |title=Commercial and critical darling Kendrick Lamar wins Pulitzer |work=The Associated Press |url=https://apnews.com/article/ac835b25865f4199a1126176179ece9f |url-status=live |access-date=July 30, 2023 |archive-date=November 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231124032042/https://apnews.com/article/ac835b25865f4199a1126176179ece9f }}</ref> From May to June, Lamar co-headlined [[The Championship Tour]] with several TDE artists.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Reed |first=Ryan |date=January 22, 2018 |title=Kendrick Lamar, SZA, Schoolboy Q Lead Top Dawg Entertainment Tour |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/kendrick-lamar-sza-schoolboy-q-lead-top-dawg-tour-w515685 |url-status=live |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200708071159/rollingstone.com/music/music-news/kendrick-lamar-sza-schoolboy-q-lead-top-dawg-entertainment-tour-126621/ |archive-date=July 8, 2020 |access-date=May 31, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |last=Lamarre |first=Carl |date=January 22, 2018 |title=Kendrick Lamar & SZA to Headline TDE's The Championship Tour |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/8095323/kendrick-lamar-tour-sza-tde-artists-championship-tour-dates |url-status=live |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220521201007/https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/kendrick-lamar-tour-sza-tde-artists-championship-tour-dates-8095323/ |archive-date=May 21, 2022 |access-date=May 31, 2018}}</ref> While on tour, he became embroiled in a public dispute with Tiffith and Spotify regarding the streaming service's [[Criticism of Spotify#2017–18: Hate Content & Hateful Conduct policy|Hate Content & Hateful Conduct]] policy.<ref name="TD">{{cite news|author=Strauss, Matthew|title=Kendrick Label Head Confirms He Threatened to Pull Music From Spotify|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/kendrick-label-head-confirms-he-threatened-to-pull-music-from-spotify/|access-date=October 21, 2018|work=[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]|date=June 1, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190927184300/https://pitchfork.com/news/kendrick-label-head-confirms-he-threatened-to-pull-music-from-spotify/|archive-date=September 27, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|author=Rys, Dan|title=Top Dawg Explains How He Warned Spotify's CEO That Kendrick Lamar, Others Would Pull Music Over Conduct Policy|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/8458884/top-dawg-warned-spotify-ceo-kendrick-lamar-others-pull-music-hate-conduct-policy|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|publisher=[[Nielsen Business Media, Inc]]|date=June 1, 2018|access-date=June 28, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180602064647/https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/8458884/top-dawg-warned-spotify-ceo-kendrick-lamar-others-pull-music-hate-conduct-policy|archive-date=June 2, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> Lamar was featured on five songs in 2018: "[[Dedication (song)|Dedication]]" by [[Nipsey Hussle]],<ref>{{cite web |last1=Fresh |first1=Mikey |date=February 13, 2018 |title=Nipsey Hussle And Kendrick Lamar Show The Youth What "Dedication" Brings |url=https://www.vibe.com/music/music-news/nipsey-hussle-kendrick-lamar-dedication-song-victory-lap-565882/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210621111739/https://www.vibe.com/music/music-news/nipsey-hussle-kendrick-lamar-dedication-song-victory-lap-565882/ |archive-date=June 21, 2021 |access-date=February 13, 2018 |website=[[Vibe (magazine)|Vibe]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Wallace |first1=Riley |title=Nipsey Hussle Debuts Kendrick Lamar Collaboration on Beats 1 |url=https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.45960/title.nipsey-hussle-debuts-kendrick-lamar-collaboration-dedication-on-beats-1 |website=[[HipHopDX]] |date=February 13, 2018 |access-date=November 24, 2023 |archive-date=November 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231124032043/https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.45960/title.nipsey-hussle-debuts-kendrick-lamar-collaboration-dedication-on-beats-1 |url-status=live }}</ref> "[[Mona Lisa (Lil Wayne song)|Mona Lisa]]" by Lil Wayne,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Daramola |first=Israel |date=September 28, 2018 |title=Lil Wayne and Kendrick Lamar Explore the Art of Storytelling on the Frustrating but Compelling "Mona Lisa" |url=https://www.spin.com/2018/09/lil-wayne-kendrick-lamar-mona-lisa-review/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190914193905/https://www.spin.com/2018/09/lil-wayne-kendrick-lamar-mona-lisa-review/ |archive-date=September 14, 2019 |access-date=September 27, 2023 |website=Spin}}</ref> "[[Tints (song)|Tints]]" by [[Anderson .Paak]],<ref>{{cite web |last1=Alston |first1=Trey |last2=Strauss |first2=Matthew |date=October 4, 2018 |title=Anderson .Paak and Kendrick Share New Song "Tints": Listen |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/anderson-paak-and-kendrick-share-new-song-tints-listen |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181005143701/https://pitchfork.com/news/anderson-paak-and-kendrick-share-new-song-tints-listen/ |archive-date=October 5, 2018 |accessdate=September 26, 2022 |work=[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]] |publisher=[[Condé Nast]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |last=Reed |first=Ryan |date=December 1, 2018 |title=Kendrick Lamar, Anderson .Paak Perform Funky 'Tints' on 'SNL' |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/kendrick-lamar-anderson-paak-perform-tints-snl-762300 |url-status=live |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |publisher=[[Penske Media Corporation]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181204133458/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/kendrick-lamar-anderson-paak-perform-tints-snl-762300/ |archive-date=December 4, 2018 |access-date=September 26, 2022}}</ref> and "Wow Freestyle" by Jay Rock; he also executive produced the latter's album ''[[Redemption (Jay Rock album)|Redemption]]''.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Purdom|first1=Clayton|url=https://music.avclub.com/don-t-let-the-preposterous-flood-of-major-rap-releases-1827057578|title=Don't let the preposterous flood of major rap releases make you forget Jay Rock|work=[[The A.V. Club]]|date=June 22, 2018|access-date=June 26, 2018|archive-date=June 27, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180627173329/https://music.avclub.com/don-t-let-the-preposterous-flood-of-major-rap-releases-1827057578|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Draughorne|first1=Kenan|url=http://hiphopdx.com/reviews/id.3181/title.review-jay-rocks-redemption-quietly-unlocks-a-career-milestone|title=Review: Jay Rock's "Redemption" Quietly Unlocks A Career Milestone|work=[[HipHopDX]]|date=June 18, 2018|access-date=June 26, 2018|archive-date=June 24, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180624230433/https://hiphopdx.com/reviews/id.3181/title.review-jay-rocks-redemption-quietly-unlocks-a-career-milestone|url-status=live}}</ref> At the [[American Music Awards of 2018|2018 American Music Awards]], ''Black Panther: The Album'' won Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Album.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/ama-nominations-2018-list-full-1142123|title=American Music Awards: Drake, Cardi B Lead 2018 Nominations|last=Lewis|first=Hilary|date=September 12, 2018|work=The Hollywood Reporter|access-date=September 12, 2018|archive-date=September 12, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180912204723/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/ama-nominations-2018-list-full-1142123|url-status=live}}</ref> Lamar made his television acting debut as a drug addict in the [[Crime fiction|crime]] [[Drama (film and television)|drama]] series ''[[Power (TV series)|Power]]'' (2018).<ref>{{cite web |last=France |first=Lisa Respers |date=July 30, 2018 |title=Kendrick Lamar wins raves for his 'Power' appearance |url=https://www.cnn.com/2018/07/30/entertainment/kendrick-lamar-power/index.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180802061914/https://www.cnn.com/2018/07/30/entertainment/kendrick-lamar-power/index.html |archive-date=August 2, 2018 |access-date=August 2, 2018 |publisher=[[CNN]]}}</ref> His performance was acclaimed by critics, and earned him an [[NAACP Image Awards|NAACP Image Award]] nomination for Outstanding Guest Performance in a Comedy or Drama Series.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Roots |first1=Kimberly |date=July 29, 2018 |title=''Power'' Recap: Crappy Birthday |work=[[TVLine]] |url=https://tvline.com/2018/07/29/power-recap-season-5-episode-5-happy-birthday/ |url-status=live |access-date=August 2, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180801125717/https://tvline.com/2018/07/29/power-recap-season-5-episode-5-happy-birthday/ |archive-date=August 1, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Montgomery |first=Sarah Jasmine |date=July 29, 2018 |title=Kendrick Lamar's Been Getting Props for His Acting Debut on 'Power' |work=[[Complex (magazine)|Complex]] |url=https://www.complex.com/music/2018/07/kendrick-lamar-props-acting-debut-power |url-status=live |access-date=August 2, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180803014530/https://www.complex.com/music/2018/07/kendrick-lamar-props-acting-debut-power |archive-date=August 3, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Lewis |first=Hilary |date=February 13, 2019 |title=NAACP Image Awards: 'Black Panther' Tops Film Nominations |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/2019-naacp-image-awards-nominations-complete-list-1174374/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190429161710/hollywoodreporter.com/lists/2019-naacp-image-awards-nominations-complete-list-1174374/ |archive-date=April 29, 2019 |access-date=August 3, 2023 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US}}</ref>

After his two concert tours ended, Lamar entered a four-year recording hiatus;<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.xxlmag.com/kendrick-lamar-six-albums-unreleased-music/|title=Kendrick Lamar Has Six Albums of Unreleased Music, Says Engineer|date=November 14, 2020|last=Coleman II|first=C. Vernon|work=XXL|publisher=Townsquare Media, Inc.|access-date=March 5, 2021|archive-date=March 7, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210307134310/https://www.xxlmag.com/kendrick-lamar-six-albums-unreleased-music/|url-status=live}}</ref> although he contributed to Beyoncé's ''[[The Lion King: The Gift]]'', Schoolboy Q's ''[[Crash Talk]]'', and [[Sir (singer)|Sir]]'s ''[[Chasing Summer]]'' (all 2019).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Deville |first=Chris |date=July 16, 2019 |title=Beyoncé Announces 'The Lion King: The Gift' Tracklist Feat. Tierra Whack, Childish Gambino, Kendrick Lamar, & More |url=https://www.stereogum.com/2051265/beyonce-the-lion-king-the-gift-tracklist/news/ |access-date=July 29, 2023 |website=Stereogum |language=en |archive-date=November 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231124033544/https://www.stereogum.com/2051265/beyonce-the-lion-king-the-gift-tracklist/news/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Saponara |first=Michael |date=August 8, 2019 |title=SiR Smokes Weed Across Los Angeles in 'Hair Down' Video Feat. Kendrick Lamar: Watch |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/sir-hair-down-video-kendrick-lamar-8526892/ |access-date=July 29, 2023 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US |archive-date=June 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230608032953/https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/sir-hair-down-video-kendrick-lamar-8526892/ |url-status=live }}</ref> He declined to perform at that year's [[61st Annual Grammy Awards|Grammy]] and [[91st Academy Awards|Academy Awards]] despite winning Best Rap Performance at the former ceremony and receiving a nomination for [[Academy Award for Best Original Song|Best Original Song]] at the latter.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Real |first=Evan |date=February 8, 2019 |title=Grammys: Drake, Kendrick Lamar and Childish Gambino Declined to Perform, Producer Says |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/music-news/drake-kendrick-lamar-childish-gambino-wont-perform-at-grammys-2019-1184214/ |access-date=July 29, 2023 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US |archive-date=May 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230512043203/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/music-news/drake-kendrick-lamar-childish-gambino-wont-perform-at-grammys-2019-1184214/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Robinson |first=Joanna |date=February 21, 2019 |title=Oscar Ceremony Won't Include Black Panther Hit Song After All |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2019/02/black-panther-kendrick-lamar-sza-wont-perform-oscars |access-date=July 29, 2023 |magazine=Vanity Fair |language=en-US |archive-date=February 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230201052552/https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2019/02/black-panther-kendrick-lamar-sza-wont-perform-oscars |url-status=live }}</ref> As his publishing deal with Warner/Chappell Music was beginning to expire,<ref name=":0" /> he signed a long-term worldwide deal with [[Broadcast Music, Inc.]] in April.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=April 29, 2019 |title=Kendrick Lamar Signs With BMI |url=https://variety.com/2019/music/news/kendrick-lamar-signs-with-bmi-1203200347/ |access-date=November 23, 2023 |website=Variety |language=en-US |archive-date=November 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231124032044/https://variety.com/2019/music/news/kendrick-lamar-signs-with-bmi-1203200347/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Lamar and Alford welcomed their daughter, Uzi, on July 26, 2019.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fitzgerald |first=Trent |date=July 26, 2019 |title=Report: Kendrick Lamar Welcomes a Daughter |url=https://www.xxlmag.com/kendrick-lamar-baby-daughter/ |access-date=May 12, 2022 |website=XXL |language=en |archive-date=May 6, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220506013345/https://www.xxlmag.com/kendrick-lamar-baby-daughter/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Lazerine |first=Devin |date=October 11, 2022 |title=Kendrick Lamar Reveals Why He Almost Didn't Release 'Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers' |url=https://www.rap-up.com/2022/10/11/kendrick-lamar-almost-didnt-release-mr-morale-big-steppers/ |access-date=October 11, 2022 |website=Rap-Up |language=en-US |quote=Kendrick, who has two children—a son, Enoch, and a daughter, Uzi—was also influenced by his family. |archive-date=October 11, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221011185127/https://www.rap-up.com/2022/10/11/kendrick-lamar-almost-didnt-release-mr-morale-big-steppers/ |url-status=live }}</ref> He continued to tour his work until November, after headlining the inaugural Day N Vegas music festival.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Platon |first=Adelle |date=November 4, 2019 |title=Day N Vegas Festival: Kendrick Lamar's Funk-tion and Technical Difficulties Galore on Day Three |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/day-n-vegas-festival-day-three-recap-8542513/ |access-date=July 29, 2023 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US |archive-date=June 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230602144729/https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/day-n-vegas-festival-day-three-recap-8542513/ |url-status=live }}</ref> He had plans to tour in 2020, but they were cancelled due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Neale |first=Matthew |date=April 8, 2020 |title=BST Hyde Park 2020 cancelled due to coronavirus |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/bst-hyde-park-2020-cancelled-due-to-coronavirus-2643470 |access-date=September 28, 2020 |website=NME |language=en-GB |archive-date=January 26, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126213855/https://www.nme.com/news/music/bst-hyde-park-2020-cancelled-due-to-coronavirus-2643470 |url-status=live }}</ref>

===2020–2022: ''Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers''===
On March 5, 2020, Lamar and Dave Free launched the creative entity [[PGLang]], which was described at the time as a multilingual, artist-friendly service company.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Mamo |first=Heran |title=Kendrick Lamar Announces Mysterious 'pgLang' Project: What Does It All Mean? |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/9328964/kendrick-lamar-pglang-company-announcement |url-status=live |magazine=Billboard |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200305215024/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/9328964/kendrick-lamar-pglang-company-announcement |archive-date=March 5, 2020 |access-date=March 5, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Holmes |first=Charles |date=March 5, 2020 |title=Kendrick Lamar Launches... Something (And Says It's Not a Record Label) |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/kendrick-lamar-dave-free-pglang-962892/ |url-status=live |magazine=Rolling Stone |language=en-US |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200406163743/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/kendrick-lamar-dave-free-pglang-962892/ |archive-date=April 6, 2020 |access-date=April 29, 2020}}</ref> In October, he signed a worldwide administration agreement with [[Universal Music Publishing Group]].<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Aswad |first=Jem |title=Kendrick Lamar Signs With Universal Music Publishing |url=https://variety.com/2020/music/news/kendrick-lamar-signs-with-universal-music-publishing-1234816664/ |url-status=live |magazine=Variety |date=October 27, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201031235702/https://variety.com/2020/music/news/kendrick-lamar-signs-with-universal-music-publishing-1234816664/ |archive-date=October 31, 2020 |access-date=July 29, 2023}}</ref> Lamar announced through an August 2021 [[blog]] post that he was in the process of producing his final album under TDE, confirming rumors that emerged last year that he would be leaving to focus on PGLang.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Yoo |first=Noah |date=August 20, 2021 |title=Kendrick Lamar Says He's Producing His "Final TDE Album" |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/kendrick-lamar-says-hes-producing-his-final-tde-album/ |url-status=live |magazine=Pitchfork |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210820174509/https://pitchfork.com/news/kendrick-lamar-says-hes-producing-his-final-tde-album/ |archive-date=August 20, 2021 |access-date=August 20, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Caraan |first=Sophie |date=October 7, 2020 |title=Kendrick Lamar Addresses TDE Departure Rumors |url=https://hypebeast.com/2020/10/kendrick-lamar-responds-tde-departure-rumors |access-date=September 28, 2023 |website=Hypebeast |archive-date=November 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231124032042/https://hypebeast.com/2020/10/kendrick-lamar-responds-tde-departure-rumors |url-status=live }}</ref> The following week, he appeared on Baby Keem's single "[[Family Ties (song)|Family Ties]]", which won Best Rap Performance at the [[64th Annual Grammy Awards]].<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Gallagher |first=Alex |date=August 27, 2021 |title=Kendrick Lamar returns on collaboration with Baby Keem, 'Family Ties' |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/baby-keem-kendrick-lamar-collaboration-family-ties-3027116 |url-status=live |magazine=NME |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210827082240/https://www.nme.com/news/music/baby-keem-kendrick-lamar-collaboration-family-ties-3027116 |archive-date=August 27, 2021 |access-date=August 27, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Monroe |first=Jazz |date=April 3, 2022 |title=Baby Keem and Kendrick Lamar Win Best Rap Performance for "Family Ties" at the 2022 Grammys |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/baby-keem-and-kendrick-lamar-win-best-rap-performance-for-family-ties-at-the-2022-grammys/ |url-status=live |magazine=Pitchfork |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220404013832/https://pitchfork.com/news/baby-keem-and-kendrick-lamar-win-best-rap-performance-for-family-ties-at-the-2022-grammys/ |archive-date=April 4, 2022 |access-date=April 3, 2022}}</ref> 

Lamar made additional contributions to Baby Keem's album ''[[The Melodic Blue]]'' by providing background vocals and appearing on the song "[[Range Brothers]]".<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Breihan |first=Tom |date=September 10, 2021 |title=Baby Keem & Kendrick Lamar – "Range Brothers" |url=https://www.stereogum.com/2160324/baby-keem-kendrick-lamar-range-brothers/music/ |url-status=live |magazine=Sterogum |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230118172310/https://www.stereogum.com/2160324/baby-keem-kendrick-lamar-range-brothers/music/ |archive-date=January 18, 2023 |access-date=July 27, 2023}}</ref> In November, he held a "theatrical exhibition of his musical eras" during his second headlining performance at Day N Vegas,<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Rouhani |first=Neena |date=November 13, 2021 |title=Kendrick Lamar's Day N Vegas Performance Was Art |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/kendrick-lamar-2021-day-n-vegas-performance-performance-recap-9659651/ |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US |access-date=September 8, 2022 |archive-date=September 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220908235401/https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/kendrick-lamar-2021-day-n-vegas-performance-performance-recap-9659651/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Lavin |first=Will |date=November 13, 2021 |title=Watch Kendrick Lamar perform career-spanning set at Day N Vegas festival |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/watch-kendrick-lamar-perform-career-spanning-set-at-day-n-vegas-festival-3094610 |access-date=September 8, 2022 |website=NME |language=en-GB |archive-date=September 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220908235400/https://www.nme.com/news/music/watch-kendrick-lamar-perform-career-spanning-set-at-day-n-vegas-festival-3094610 |url-status=live }}</ref> and featured on Terrace Martin's album ''Drones''.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Dukes |first=Will |date=November 8, 2021 |title=Terrace Martin Brings Old-School Warmth on 'DRONES' |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-album-reviews/terrace-martin-drones-1254640/ |access-date=November 23, 2023 |magazine=Rolling Stone |language=en-US |archive-date=December 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231211143749/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-album-reviews/terrace-martin-drones-1254640/ |url-status=live }}</ref> He co-headlined the [[Super Bowl LVI halftime show]] alongside Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, [[50 Cent]], and [[Mary J. Blige]] on February 13, 2022, which won the [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Variety Special (Live)]].<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Sheffield |first=Rob |date=February 13, 2022 |title=California Knows How To Party: Dr. Dre Leads One of the All-Time Great Super Bowl Halftime Shows |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-live-reviews/super-bowl-halftime-dr-dre-snoop-dogg-eminem-kendrick-mary-j-blige-review-1299675/ |url-status=live |magazine=Rolling Stone |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220214041058/rollingstone.com/music/music-live-reviews/super-bowl-halftime-dr-dre-snoop-dogg-eminem-kendrick-mary-j-blige-review-1299675/ |archive-date=February 14, 2022 |access-date=July 27, 2023 |authorlink=Rob Sheffield}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Gajewski |first=Ryan |date=September 3, 2022 |title=Super Bowl Halftime Show Wins Live Variety Emmy for First Time as Hip-Hop Breaks Through in Category |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/super-bowl-halftime-show-wins-live-variety-emmy-1235211991/ |url-status=live |magazine=The Hollywood Reporter |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220928234155/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/super-bowl-halftime-show-wins-live-variety-emmy-1235211991/ |archive-date=September 28, 2022 |access-date=July 27, 2023}}</ref>

After releasing the promotional single "[[The Heart Part 5]]",<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Hussey |first1=Allison |last2=Minsker |first2=Evan |date=May 9, 2022 |title=Kendrick Lamar Shares New Song "The Heart Part 5" |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/kendrick-lamar-shares-new-song-the-heart-part-5-listen/ |access-date=May 9, 2022 |website=Pitchfork |language=en-US |archive-date=May 10, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220510124754/https://pitchfork.com/news/kendrick-lamar-shares-new-song-the-heart-part-5-listen/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Woods |first=Aleia |date=May 9, 2022 |title=Kendrick Lamar Returns With New Song 'The Heart Part 5' - Listen |url=https://www.xxlmag.com/kendrick-lamar-new-song-the-heart-part-5/ |access-date=May 9, 2022 |website=XXL |language=en |archive-date=May 9, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220509000912/https://www.xxlmag.com/kendrick-lamar-new-song-the-heart-part-5/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Lamar's fifth album, ''[[Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers]]'', was released on May 13, 2022.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Sisario |first=Ben |date=May 13, 2022 |title=Kendrick Lamar Returns With 'Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers' |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/13/arts/music/kendrick-lamar-new-album-mr-morale-and-the-big-steppers.html |url-status=live |access-date=December 3, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220514002708/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/13/arts/music/kendrick-lamar-new-album-mr-morale-and-the-big-steppers.html |archive-date=May 14, 2022 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> He and Alford used the album's [[cover art]] to reveal the birth of their son, Enoch.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Patterson |first=Charmaine |date=May 11, 2022 |title=Kendrick Lamar Shares New Album Cover Seemingly Confirming Fiancée Gave Birth to Their Second Baby |url=https://people.com/parents/kendrick-lamar-shares-new-album-cover-and-reveals-his-fiancee-has-given-birth-to-their-second-baby/ |access-date=July 19, 2023 |website=People |language=en |archive-date=July 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230719192405/https://people.com/parents/kendrick-lamar-shares-new-album-cover-and-reveals-his-fiancee-has-given-birth-to-their-second-baby/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Ruggieri |first=Melissa |date=May 13, 2022 |title=Kendrick Lamar delivers a raw, soul-baring musical odyssey on long-awaited double album |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/music/2022/05/13/kendrick-lamars-double-album-review-references-children-cheating/9756632002/ |access-date=May 14, 2022 |website=USA Today |language=en-US |quote=It’s also Lamar’s autobiographical catch-up for fans wondering if he and fiancée Whitney Alford had a second child based on the album cover photo; references to “playin’ ‘Baby Shark’ with my daughter” and “I’d kill for my son Enoch” would indicate yes. |archive-date=May 14, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220514020429/https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/music/2022/05/13/kendrick-lamars-double-album-review-references-children-cheating/9756632002/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The [[double album]] drew on jazz, R&B, [[Trap music|trap]], and soul influences;<ref>{{Cite news |last=Daramola |first=Israel |date=May 13, 2022 |title=On 'Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers,' Kendrick Lamar Has Never Sounded So Uneasy |language=en |work=The Daily Beast |url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/kendrick-lamars-mr-morale-and-the-big-steppers-raps-pulitzer-winning-poet-has-never-sounded-so-uneasy |url-status=live |access-date=May 15, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220513223456/https://www.thedailybeast.com/kendrick-lamars-mr-morale-and-the-big-steppers-raps-pulitzer-winning-poet-has-never-sounded-so-uneasy |archive-date=May 13, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Amorosi |first=A. D. |date=August 11, 2022 |title=Kendrick Lamar: Myth, Mirth and Mr. Morale |url=https://philadelphiaweekly.com/kendrick-lamar-myth-mirth-and-mr-morale/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220908033541/https://philadelphiaweekly.com/kendrick-lamar-myth-mirth-and-mr-morale/ |archive-date=September 8, 2022 |access-date=September 9, 2022 |website=Philadelphia Weekly |language=en-US}}</ref> Alford served as its primary narrator.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Sisario |first=Ben |date=May 13, 2022 |title=Kendrick Lamar Returns With 'Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers' |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/13/arts/music/kendrick-lamar-new-album-mr-morale-and-the-big-steppers.html |access-date=July 19, 2023 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=May 14, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220514002708/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/13/arts/music/kendrick-lamar-new-album-mr-morale-and-the-big-steppers.html |url-status=live }}</ref> It was widely acclaimed by critics, who applauded Lamar's vulnerable songwriting and scope.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/kendrick-lamar-review-mr-morale-b2078296.html|title=Kendrick Lamar's ''Mr. Morale and the Big Steppers'' is a tender, delicate opus – review|newspaper=[[The Independent]]|last=Bryant|first=Ben|date=May 13, 2022|access-date=May 13, 2022|archive-date=May 13, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220513123613/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/kendrick-lamar-review-mr-morale-b2078296.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Every track from the album charted on the Hot 100; its three singles–"[[N95 (song)|N95]]", "[[Silent Hill (song)|Silent Hill]]", and "[[Die Hard (song)|Die Hard]]"–debuted in the top-10.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Zellner |first=Xander |date=May 23, 2022 |title=Kendrick Lamar Charts All 18 Songs From 'Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers' on Billboard Hot 100 |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/chart-beat/kendrick-lamar-mr-morale-big-steppers-18-songs-hot-100-1235074441/ |url-status=live |magazine=Billboard |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220531031324/billboard.com/music/chart-beat/kendrick-lamar-mr-morale-big-steppers-18-songs-hot-100-1235074441/ |archive-date=May 31, 2022 |access-date=August 3, 2023}}</ref> Selling 295,000 units in its first week, ''Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers'' became Lamar's fourth consecutive number-one album on the ''Billboard'' 200.<ref>{{Cite magazine|last=Caulfield|first=Keith|date=May 22, 2022|title=Kendrick Lamar's 'Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers' Debuts at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 Albums Chart|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/chart-beat/kendrick-lamar-mr-morale-and-the-big-steppers-number-one-billboard-200-chart-1235074088/|access-date=May 22, 2022|magazine=Billboard|archive-date=May 31, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220531031019/https://www.billboard.com/music/chart-beat/kendrick-lamar-mr-morale-and-the-big-steppers-number-one-billboard-200-chart-1235074088/|url-status=live}}</ref> It later became the first hip hop album of 2022 to reach one billion streams on Spotify.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Griffin|first=Marc|date=August 31, 2022|title=Kendrick Lamar's 'Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers' Hits 1 Billion Streams On Spotify|url=https://www.vibe.com/music/music-news/kendrick-lamar-mr-morale-billion-spotify-streams-1234690774/|access-date=September 12, 2022|website=Vibe|archive-date=September 12, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220912151535/https://www.vibe.com/music/music-news/kendrick-lamar-mr-morale-billion-spotify-streams-1234690774/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In support of ''Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers'', Lamar embarked on [[the Big Steppers Tour]], which ran from July 2022 to March 2024.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2022/music/news/kendrick-lamar-big-steppers-tour-dates-1235266437/|title=Kendrick Lamar Unveils 'Big Steppers' Tour Dates|website=Variety|last=Aswad|first=Jem|date=May 13, 2022|access-date=May 16, 2022|archive-date=May 16, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220516005220/https://variety.com/2022/music/news/kendrick-lamar-big-steppers-tour-dates-1235266437/|url-status=live}}</ref> The tour grossed $110.9 million in worldwide revenue, becoming the highest-grossing rap tour ever at the time.{{Efn|This record was later surpassed by [[Drake (musician)|Drake]] and [[21 Savage]]'s [[It's All a Blur Tour]] in November 2023.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Saponara|first=Michael|title=Drake Surpasses Kendrick Lamar for Highest-Grossing Rap Tour Ever|url=https://hiphopdx.com/news/drake-surpasses-kendrick-lamar-hip-hop-tour-grossing|work=HipHopDX|date=November 16, 2023|access-date=November 23, 2023|archive-date=November 24, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231124032046/https://hiphopdx.com/news/drake-surpasses-kendrick-lamar-hip-hop-tour-grossing|url-status=live}}</ref>|name=Tour Gross}}<ref>{{cite web|last=Galindo|first=Thomas|date=April 27, 2023|title=Kendrick Lamar's Big Steppers Tour Becomes Highest Grossing Rap Tour Ever|url=https://americansongwriter.com/kendrick-lamars-big-steppers-tour-becomes-highest-grossing-rap-tour-ever/|website=[[American Songwriter]]|access-date=April 27, 2023|archive-date=June 21, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230621060727/https://americansongwriter.com/kendrick-lamars-big-steppers-tour-becomes-highest-grossing-rap-tour-ever/|url-status=live}}</ref> Lamar wrote, co-directed, and executive produced the [[Film adaptation|short film adaptation]] of the song "[[We Cry Together]]", which was released worldwide in September 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hipes |first=Patrick |date=September 1, 2022 |title=Kendrick Lamar And Taylour Paige Star In Short Film For His Song "We Cry Together" |url=https://deadline.com/video/kendrick-lamar-taylour-paige-we-cry-together-film/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220901220059/deadline.com/video/kendrick-lamar-taylour-paige-we-cry-together-film/ |archive-date=September 1, 2022 |access-date=July 28, 2023 |website=Deadline}}</ref> An accompanying [[concert film]] for the tour, ''[[Kendrick Lamar Live: The Big Steppers Tour]]'', was released in November 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Aswad |first=Jem |date=October 26, 2022 |title=Inside Amazon Music's Massive Livestream of Kendrick Lamar's Paris Concert |url=https://variety.com/2022/music/news/amazon-kendrick-lamar-paris-livestream-1235414339/ |access-date=December 3, 2022 |website=Variety |language=en-US |archive-date=November 9, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221109153142/https://variety.com/2022/music/news/amazon-kendrick-lamar-paris-livestream-1235414339/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Sadler |first=Armon |date=October 18, 2022 |title=Kendrick Lamar's 'The Big Steppers Tour' Paris Stop To Be Available Via Livestream |url=https://www.vibe.com/music/music-news/kendrick-lamar-big-steppers-tour-paris-amazon-1234703214/ |access-date=December 2, 2022 |website=Vibe |language=en-US |archive-date=November 24, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221124045353/https://www.vibe.com/music/music-news/kendrick-lamar-big-steppers-tour-paris-amazon-1234703214/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Lamar won [[American Music Award for Favorite Rap/Hip Hop Artist|Favorite Male Hip Hop Artist]] at the [[American Music Awards of 2022|2022 American Music Awards]], and Favorite Hip Hop Album for ''Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers''. He received six awards at the [[2022 BET Hip Hop Awards]], including [[BET Hip Hop Award for Album of the Year|Album of the Year]].<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Atkinson |first=Kate |date=November 20, 2022 |title=Here Are All the 2022 AMAs Winners |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/awards/2022-amas-winners-list-1235174393/ |url-status=live |magazine=Billboard |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230227212552/https://www.billboard.com/music/awards/2022-amas-winners-list-1235174393/ |archive-date=February 27, 2023 |access-date=July 28, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Minsker |first=Evan |date=October 4, 2022 |title=BET Hip Hop Awards 2022 Winners: See the Full List Here |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/bet-hip-hop-awards-2022-winners-see-the-full-list-here/ |url-status=live |magazine=Pitchfork |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230605201530/https://pitchfork.com/news/bet-hip-hop-awards-2022-winners-see-the-full-list-here/ |archive-date=June 5, 2023 |access-date=July 28, 2023}}</ref> During the [[65th Annual Grammy Awards]], ''Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers'' was named Best Rap Album, while "The Heart Part 5" won Best Rap Performance and Best Rap Song.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Zhan |first=Jennifer |date=February 5, 2023 |title=The 2023 Grammy Award Winners |url=https://www.vulture.com/2023/02/grammys-2023-full-list-of-winners.html |url-status=live |magazine=Vulture |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230511011802/https://www.vulture.com/2023/02/grammys-2023-full-list-of-winners.html |archive-date=May 11, 2023 |access-date=July 28, 2023}}</ref>

=== 2023–present: Feud with Drake ===
{{Further|Drake–Kendrick Lamar feud#2023–present: Re-escalation}}

In May 2023, Lamar was featured on the standalone version of [[Beyoncé]]'s single "[[America Has a Problem]]" and appeared on Baby Keem's single "[[The Hillbillies]]".<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Kreps |first=Daniel |date=May 20, 2023 |title=Kendrick Lamar Hops on Surprise Remix of Beyoncé's 'America Has a Problem' |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/kendrick-lamar-beyonce-america-has-a-problem-remix-1234739064/ |url-status=live |magazine=Rolling Stone |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230606094259/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/kendrick-lamar-beyonce-america-has-a-problem-remix-1234739064/ |archive-date=June 6, 2023 |access-date=July 28, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Kearns |first1=Sarah |date=May 30, 2023 |title=Kendrick Lamar and Baby Keem Drop Surprise Single and Music Video 'The Hillbillies' |url=https://hypebeast.com/2023/5/kendrick-lamar-baby-keem-the-hillbillies-video-watch |access-date=May 30, 2023 |website=[[Hypebeast (company)|Hypebeast]] |archive-date=May 30, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230530214018/https://hypebeast.com/2023/5/kendrick-lamar-baby-keem-the-hillbillies-video-watch |url-status=live }}</ref> He won four awards at the [[2023 BET Hip Hop Awards]], and set four records in the process.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Grein |first=Paul |date=October 11, 2023 |title=Kendrick Lamar Wins 4 Awards at the 2023 BET Hip Hop Awards — And Sets 4 Records |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/awards/kendrick-lamar-bet-hip-hop-awards-records-1235439331/ |access-date=October 19, 2023 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US |archive-date=October 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231016130747/https://www.billboard.com/music/awards/kendrick-lamar-bet-hip-hop-awards-records-1235439331/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Lamar was featured in the [[Documentary film|documentary]] concert film ''[[Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé]]'' and executive produced [[Baby Keem]]'s short film adaptation of ''The Melodic Blue''.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Buchanan |first=Kyle |date=November 26, 2023 |title=Beyoncé's 'Renaissance' Film: 4 Takeaways From the Premiere |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/26/movies/beyonce-renaissance-premiere-film.html |access-date=November 26, 2023 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=November 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231126135128/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/26/movies/beyonce-renaissance-premiere-film.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Armstrong |first=Megan |date=November 16, 2023 |title=When Does Baby Keem's 'The Melodic Blue' Movie Come Out? |url=https://uproxx.com/music/when-does-baby-keem-the-melodic-blue-movie-come-out/ |access-date=November 26, 2023 |website=Uproxx |language=en-US |archive-date=November 29, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231129015144/https://uproxx.com/music/when-does-baby-keem-the-melodic-blue-movie-come-out/ |url-status=live }}</ref> He quietly shedded his ties with Aftermath Entertainment and signed a new direct licensing agreement with Interscope.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kermah |first=Jonathan |date=May 20, 2024 |title=Kendrick Lamar Went No. 1 on His Own. What Does That Mean for TDE? |url=https://www.theringer.com/rap/2024/5/20/24160494/top-dawg-entertainment-after-kendrick-lamar-tde-20-years-sza-sir-schoolboy-q |access-date=May 20, 2024 |website=The Ringer |language=en}}</ref>

Lamar's conflict with Drake [[Drake–Kendrick Lamar feud#2023–2024: Escalation|re-escalated]] in March 2024 with his surprise appearance on [[Future (rapper)|Future]] and [[Metro Boomin]]'s track "[[Like That (Future, Metro Boomin and Kendrick Lamar song)|Like That]]".<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Gee |first=Andre |date=March 22, 2024 |title=Kendrick Lamar Declares War -- And Five Other Takeaways From ''We Don't Trust You'' |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/future-metro-boomin-we-dont-trust-you-takeaways-1234993093/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240323014715/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/future-metro-boomin-we-dont-trust-you-takeaways-1234993093/ |archive-date=March 23, 2024 |access-date=March 23, 2024 |magazine=Rolling Stone |language=en-US}}</ref> The song spent three consecutive weeks atop the ''Billboard'' Hot 100, becoming Lamar's third number-one single and his first song to debut at the top spot.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Trust |first=Gary |date=April 1, 2024 |title=Future, Metro Boomin & Kendrick Lamar's 'Like That' Debuts at No. 1 on Billboard Hot 100 |url=https://www.billboard.com/lists/future-metro-boomin-kendrick-lamar-like-that-hot-100-number-one-debut/ |access-date=April 2, 2024 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US |archive-date=April 1, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240401172416/https://www.billboard.com/lists/future-metro-boomin-kendrick-lamar-like-that-hot-100-number-one-debut/ |url-status=live }}</ref> From April to May, he released the Drake-aimed diss singles "[[Euphoria (Kendrick Lamar song)|Euphoria]]",<ref>{{Cite web |last=Horowitz |first=Steven J. |date=April 30, 2024 |title=Kendrick Lamar Fires Back at Drake on New Diss Track 'Euphoria' |url=https://variety.com/2024/music/news/kendrick-lamar-euphoria-drake-diss-track-1235987150/ |access-date=April 30, 2024 |website=Variety |language=en-US |archive-date=April 30, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240430171137/https://variety.com/2024/music/news/kendrick-lamar-euphoria-drake-diss-track-1235987150/ |url-status=live }}</ref> "[[6:16 in LA]]",<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Paul |first=Larisha |date=May 3, 2024 |title=Kendrick Lamar Comes Back for More on His Second Drake Diss Track This Week '6:16 in LA' |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/kendrick-lamar-drake-diss-track-616-in-la-1235014757/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240503154937/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/kendrick-lamar-drake-diss-track-616-in-la-1235014757/ |archive-date=May 3, 2024 |access-date=May 13, 2024 |magazine=Rolling Stone |language=en-US}}</ref> "[[Meet the Grahams]]",<ref>{{cite web |last1=Savage |first1=Mark |title=Drake and Kendrick Lamar get personal on simultaneously released diss tracks |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-68957553 |website=[[BBC News]] |access-date=5 May 2024 |date=4 May 2024 |archive-date=May 5, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240505005627/https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-68957553 |url-status=live }}</ref> and "[[Not Like Us]]"; all of which were either positively received or acclaimed by critics.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Strauss |first=Matthew |date=May 4, 2024 |title=Kendrick Lamar Doesn't Wait for Drake Response, Drops Another New Diss Song "Not Like Us" |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/kendrick-lamar-doesnt-wait-for-drake-response-drops-another-new-diss-song-not-like-us-listen/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240505005059/https://pitchfork.com/news/kendrick-lamar-doesnt-wait-for-drake-response-drops-another-new-diss-song-not-like-us-listen/ |archive-date=May 5, 2024 |access-date=May 5, 2024 |website=Pitchfork |language=en-US}}</ref> The latter installment marked the first rap song to lead the Hot 100 with a limited tracking week.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Trust |first=Gary |date=May 13, 2024 |title=Kendrick Lamar's 'Not Like Us' Blasts In at No. 1 on Billboard Hot 100 |url=https://www.billboard.com/lists/kendrick-lamar-not-like-us-hot-100-number-one-debut/ |access-date=May 13, 2024 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}}</ref> A celebratory one-off concert, titled [[The Pop Out: Ken & Friends]], was held on [[Juneteenth]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Horowitz |first=Steven J. |date=June 5, 2024 |title=Kendrick Lamar Announces Los Angeles Show 'The Pop Out – Ken and Friends' to Take Place on Juneteenth |url=https://variety.com/2024/music/news/kendrick-lamar-the-pop-out-ken-and-friends-los-angeles-concert-1236026620/ |access-date=June 6, 2024 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref>

Outside of music, Lamar will star in the [[Animation|animated]] [[biographical film]] ''[[Piece by Piece (2024 film)|Piece by Piece]]'' (2024).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bergeson |first=Samantha |date=June 6, 2024 |title=''Piece by Piece'' Trailer: Pharrell Williams Is Turned Into a Lego Character for Animated Biopic |url=https://www.indiewire.com/news/trailers/piece-by-piece-trailer-pharrell-williams-lego-biopic-1235012104/ |access-date=June 6, 2024 |website=[[IndieWire]] |language=en-US}}</ref> He signed on to produce a [[Comedy film|comedy]] feature with Free, [[Trey Parker]] and [[Matt Stone]] for [[Paramount Pictures]], which is slated to be released on July 4, 2025.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Mamo |first=Heran |date=January 14, 2022 |title=Kendrick Lamar & Dave Free to Produce Comedy Film With 'South Park' Creators |url=https://www.billboard.com/culture/tv-film/kendrick-lamar-dave-free-south-park-creators-producing-comedy-film-1235019005/ |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US |access-date=October 14, 2022 |archive-date=October 14, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221014201805/https://www.billboard.com/culture/tv-film/kendrick-lamar-dave-free-south-park-creators-producing-comedy-film-1235019005/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Artistry ==
=== Influences ===
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| salign = right
| quote = "I was 8 years old when I first saw you. I couldn't describe how I felt at that moment. So many emotions. Full of excitement. Full of joy and eagerness. 20 years later, I understand exactly what that feeling was: ''inspired''. The people that you touched on that small intersection changed lives forever. I told myself I wanted to be a voice for man one day. Whoever knew I was speaking out loud for you to listen."
| source = — Lamar to [[Tupac Shakur]] on the 19th anniversary of [[Murder of Tupac Shakur|his death]]<ref>{{cite news|last=Minsker|first=Evan|title=Kendrick Lamar Writes Tribute to 2Pac|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/61180-kendrick-lamar-writes-tribute-to-2pac/|newspaper=Pitchfork|date=September 13, 2015|access-date=October 3, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208024533/https://pitchfork.com/news/61180-kendrick-lamar-writes-tribute-to-2pac/|archive-date=December 8, 2015}}</ref>
}}

[[Tupac Shakur]] is Lamar's biggest influence, having impacted both his professional and personal lives.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Barnes |first=Tom |date=June 11, 2015 |title=Watch Kendrick Lamar and Tupac Talk to Each Other in This Amazing Video |url=https://www.mic.com/articles/120519/watch-kendrick-lamar-and-tupac-talk-to-each-other-in-this-video |access-date=October 10, 2023 |website=Mic |language=en |archive-date=November 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231124032042/https://www.mic.com/articles/120519/watch-kendrick-lamar-and-tupac-talk-to-each-other-in-this-video |url-status=live }}</ref> One of his earliest childhood memories is watching him and [[Dr. Dre]] film the second music video for their single "[[California Love]]" with his father at the Compton [[Flea market|Swap Meet]].<ref name="Greenburg" /> Lamar has described himself as an "offspring" of Shakur's artistry and [[Political sociology|sociopolitical]] views.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fleischer |first=Adam |date=March 16, 2015 |title=Kendrick Lamar Interviews 2Pac On 'To Pimp A Butterfly': Read And Listen To It Here |url=https://www.mtv.com/news/5hdkvx/kendrick-lamar-interviews-2pac-to-pimp-a-butterfly |access-date=October 19, 2023 |website=MTV |language=en |archive-date=November 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231124033544/https://www.mtv.com/news/5hdkvx/kendrick-lamar-interviews-2pac-to-pimp-a-butterfly |url-status=live }}</ref> Although some publications regard him as the Shakur of his generation,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cooper |first=Peter |date=February 16, 2016 |title="He is our generation's Tupac": Kendrick Lamar's Grammy performance gets him compared to the hip hop legend |url=https://www.salon.com/2016/02/16/he_is_our_generations_tupac_kendrick_lamars_grammy_performance_gets_him_compared_to_the_hip_hop_legend/ |access-date=October 20, 2023 |website=Salon |language=en |archive-date=November 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231124032042/https://www.salon.com/2016/02/16/he_is_our_generations_tupac_kendrick_lamars_grammy_performance_gets_him_compared_to_the_hip_hop_legend/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=McKinney |first=Jessica |date=March 28, 2018 |title=Is Kendrick Lamar The New Tupac? New 'Genius' x Spotify Podcast Explores |url=https://www.vibe.com/music/music-news/is-kendrick-lamar-the-new-tupac-deja-vu-podcast-576234/ |access-date=October 20, 2023 |website=Vibe |language=en-US |archive-date=November 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231124032042/https://www.vibe.com/music/music-news/is-kendrick-lamar-the-new-tupac-deja-vu-podcast-576234/ |url-status=live }}</ref> he strives to maintain his [[individual]]ity.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Diaz |first=Angel |date=September 27, 2015 |title=Kendrick Lamar Is Not This Generation's 2Pac. And There's Nothing Wrong With That |url=https://www.complex.com/music/a/angel-diaz/kendrick-lamar-not-this-generations-2pac-nothing-wrong |access-date=October 20, 2023 |website=Complex |language=en-us |archive-date=November 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231124032043/https://www.complex.com/music/a/angel-diaz/kendrick-lamar-not-this-generations-2pac-nothing-wrong |url-status=live }}</ref>

Shakur's ''[[The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory]]'' (1996), [[The Notorious B.I.G.]]'s ''[[Life After Death]]'' (1997), and [[DMX]]'s ''[[It's Dark and Hell Is Hot|It's Dark and Hell is Hot]]'' (1998) influenced Lamar's artistic direction: "I don't look at these albums like just music; it sounds like an actual film."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Chesman |first=Donna-Claire |date=November 21, 2017 |title=Kendrick Lamar Credits Three '90s Hip-Hop Albums with Influencing His Artistic Direction |language=en |work=DJBooth |url=https://djbooth.net/features/2017-11-21-kendrick-lamar-three-90s-albums |url-status=live |access-date=October 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180222010110/djbooth.net/features/2017-11-21-kendrick-lamar-three-90s-albums |archive-date=February 22, 2018}}</ref> He also listened and took influence from [[Mos Def]] and [[Snoop Dogg]] during his childhood,<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Barshad |first=Amos |date=October 23, 2011 |title=Kendrick Lamar Makes New Friends |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/kendrick-lamar-is-a-friendly-guy-20111023 |url-status=live |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924202156/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/kendrick-lamar-is-a-friendly-guy-20111023 |archive-date=September 24, 2015 |access-date=May 2, 2015}}</ref> and said, "I wouldn't be here today if it wasn't for [[Eazy-E]]."<ref>{{cite web |author=Kuperstein, Slava |date=September 23, 2012 |title=Kendrick Lamar Cites DMX As An Influence & Discusses Learning From Dr. Dre's Mistakes |url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.21262/title.kendrick-lamar-cites-dmx-as-an-influence-discusses-learning-from-dr-dres-mistakes |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121123083445/http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.21262/title.kendrick-lamar-cites-dmx-as-an-influence-discusses-learning-from-dr-dres-mistakes |archive-date=November 23, 2012 |access-date=March 10, 2013 |work=HipHopDX}}</ref> [[50 Cent]]'s mixtape success inspired Lamar to become an [[Independent music|independent artist]],<ref name="Hopper" /> while his view on being categorized as a [[Conscious rap|conscious rapper]], "Yeah, I'm a conscious artist because I have a [[conscience]]," gave him a sense of perspective.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gonzalez |first=Alex |date=August 30, 2023 |title=Kendrick Lamar Said He Admired 50 Cent's 'Conscious Rapper' Take |url=https://uproxx.com/music/kendrick-lamar-50-cent-conscious-rapper/ |access-date=October 20, 2023 |website=Uproxx |language=en-US |archive-date=September 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230923173705/https://uproxx.com/music/kendrick-lamar-50-cent-conscious-rapper/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[Prodigy (rapper)|Prodigy]] of [[Mobb Deep]] was a key influence on Lamar's earlier mixtapes,<ref>{{cite web |last=Marsh |first=Steve |url=https://www.gq.com/blogs/the-feed/2013/11/four-rappers-that-influenced-kendrick-lamar.html |title=The Four MC's That Made Kendrick Lamar: The Q |work=GQ |date=November 13, 2013 |access-date=April 22, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714163125/http://www.gq.com/blogs/the-feed/2013/11/four-rappers-that-influenced-kendrick-lamar.html |archive-date=July 14, 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref> while his rapping technique was stemmed from [[Lil Wayne]] and his longevity.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.22242/title.kendrick-lamar-explains-how-lil-wayne-influenced-his-style |title=Kendrick Lamar Explains How Lil Wayne Influenced His Style |magazine=HipHopDX |last=Horowitz |first=Steven |date=December 17, 2012 |access-date=October 14, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150506081647/http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.22242/title.kendrick-lamar-explains-how-lil-wayne-influenced-his-style |archive-date=May 6, 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref> [[Eminem]] and his album ''[[The Marshall Mathers LP]]'' (2000) introduced him to songwriting elements, such as [[Ad libitum|ad-libs]], and impacted his aggressive approach to records such as "[[Backseat Freestyle]]".<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Platon |first=Adelle |date=October 20, 2016 |title=Kendrick Lamar Chats with Rick Rubin about Making 'Alright', Studying Eminem for 'GQ Style' |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/kendrick-lamar-rick-rubin-gq-style-7549720/ |access-date=October 3, 2023 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US |archive-date=November 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231124032042/https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/kendrick-lamar-rick-rubin-gq-style-7549720/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGMQQNoUn0M |title=Kendrick Lamar Says Eminem "Definitely" Influenced His Style, Calls Him A "Genius" |publisher=YouTube |date=September 28, 2012 |access-date=April 22, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151127194120/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGMQQNoUn0M |archive-date=November 27, 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.vibe.com/article/kendrick-lamar-says-backseat-freestyle-was-influenced-eminem |title=Kendrick Lamar Says 'Backseat Freestyle' Was Influenced By Eminem |work=Vibe |last=Kennedy |first=John |date=October 14, 2013 |access-date=April 22, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140409053039/http://www.vibe.com/article/kendrick-lamar-says-backseat-freestyle-was-influenced-eminem |archive-date=April 9, 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref> He took inspiration from [[N.W.A]]'s tenacity of representing his hometown with "courage, honesty and artistic brilliance."<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Lamar |first=Kendrick |date=August 12, 2015 |title=Kendrick Lamar Pays Tribute to N.W.A and Eazy-E: They 'Gave Voice to the Voiceless' |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/kendrick-lamar-nwa-tribute-essay-eazy-e-dre-6663126/ |access-date=October 3, 2023 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US |archive-date=October 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231001104619/https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/kendrick-lamar-nwa-tribute-essay-eazy-e-dre-6663126/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Various [[Rhythm and blues|R&B]] and [[Soul music|soul]] artists, including [[Marvin Gaye]],<ref name="Ryon12">{{Cite web |last=Ryon |first=Sean |date=August 28, 2012 |title=Kendrick Lamar Describes His Family Life, Parents' Influence On Music |url=https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.20944/title.kendrick-lamar-describes-his-family-life-parents-influence-on-music |access-date=October 19, 2023 |website=HipHopDX |language=en |archive-date=November 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231124032044/https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.20944/title.kendrick-lamar-describes-his-family-life-parents-influence-on-music |url-status=live }}</ref> [[the Isley Brothers]],<ref name="Ryon12" /> [[Michael Jackson]],<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 21, 2014 |title=Kendrick Lamar talks dream collaboration with Michael Jackson, Marvin Gaye, Tupac Shakur |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/video/kendrick-lamar-talks-dream-collaboration-with-michael-jackson-marvin-gaye-tupac-shakur/ |access-date=October 19, 2023 |website=CBS News |language=en-US |archive-date=November 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231124032042/https://www.cbsnews.com/video/kendrick-lamar-talks-dream-collaboration-with-michael-jackson-marvin-gaye-tupac-shakur/ |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Teddy Pendergrass]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Amfo |first=Clara |author-link=Clara Amfo |date=February 23, 2018 |title=When Kendrick met Clara: The best bits from the exclusive Radio 1 interview |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/5DJrf4tXM5RRPlc00zf84Hs/when-kendrick-met-clara-the-best-bits-from-the-exclusive-radio-1-interview |access-date=October 20, 2023 |website=BBC |language=en-GB |archive-date=November 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231124033544/https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/5DJrf4tXM5RRPlc00zf84Hs/when-kendrick-met-clara-the-best-bits-from-the-exclusive-radio-1-interview |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Sade (singer)|Sade]], and [[Anita Baker]], have influenced Lamar.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gonik |first=Michael |date=November 21, 2017 |title=Kendrick Lamar Wants to Work with Anita Baker and Sade |url=https://www.okayplayer.com/video/kendrick-lamar-wants-work-anita-baker-sade.html |access-date=October 20, 2023 |website=Okayplayer |language=en |archive-date=November 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231124032042/https://www.okayplayer.com/video/kendrick-lamar-wants-work-anita-baker-sade.html |url-status=live }}</ref> He performed with [[Prince (musician)|Prince]], who impacted his [[vocal register]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Stern |first=Claire |date=October 26, 2020 |title=Kendrick Lamar Talks Thrifting, Prince, and Starting His Own Fashion Line |url=https://www.essence.com/celebrity/kendrick-lamar-style-prince-fashion-line/ |access-date=October 19, 2023 |website=Essence |language=en-US |archive-date=September 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230923210327/https://www.essence.com/celebrity/kendrick-lamar-style-prince-fashion-line/ |url-status=live }}</ref> at [[Paisley Park]] to celebrate the release of the latter's 2014 albums ''[[Plectrumelectrum]]'' and ''[[Art Official Age]]'', which ''[[GQ]]'' described as "five minutes of brilliant insanity."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Silverburg |first=Nicole |date=May 5, 2016 |title=Let This Video of Prince and Kendrick Lamar Performing Together Blow Your Mind |url=https://www.gq.com/story/prince-kendrick-lamar-paisley-park |access-date=October 20, 2023 |website=GQ |language=en-US |archive-date=November 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231124032043/https://www.gq.com/story/prince-kendrick-lamar-paisley-park |url-status=live }}</ref> ''To Pimp a Butterfly'' was influenced by the works of [[jazz]] trumpeter [[Miles Davis]] and [[funk]] collective [[Parliament-Funkadelic]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Eustice |first=Kyle |date=March 2, 2022 |title=Kendrick Lamar Says Crafting 'To Pimp A Butterfly' Was A Lot Of 'Throwing Paint At The Wall' |url=https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.68484/title.kendrick-lamar-says-crafting-to-pimp-a-butterfly-was-a-lot-of-throwing-paint-at-the-wall |access-date=October 3, 2023 |website=HipHopDX |language=en |archive-date=November 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231113232305/https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.68484/title.kendrick-lamar-says-crafting-to-pimp-a-butterfly-was-a-lot-of-throwing-paint-at-the-wall |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Musical style ===
The nature of Lamar's musical style has been described as "anti-flamboyant, interior and complex."<ref name="NYT Review" /> He is rooted in [[West Coast hip hop]],<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Larsen|first=Peter|date=September 13, 2016|url=https://www.ocregister.com/2016/09/13/george-clinton-talks-about-working-with-kendrick-lamar-and-other-young-artists/|title=George Clinton talks about working with Kendrick Lamar and other young artists|magazine=[[PopMatters]]|access-date=July 20, 2021|archive-date=July 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210720033939/https://www.ocregister.com/2016/09/13/george-clinton-talks-about-working-with-kendrick-lamar-and-other-young-artists/|url-status=live}}</ref> and has continually reinvented his sound by branching out into other genres.<ref name="Timeline">{{Cite web |last=Williams |first=Aaron |date=April 8, 2022 |title=How Kendrick Lamar Made Good On His Potential |url=https://uproxx.com/music/kendrick-lamar-timeline/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220409073011/https://uproxx.com/music/kendrick-lamar-timeline/ |archive-date=April 9, 2022 |access-date=October 23, 2023 |website=Uproxx |language=en-US}}</ref> Due to his contributions to its audience growth, through his appeal to [[Mainstream media|mainstream]] listeners, music critics generally categorize Lamar as a [[progressive rap]] artist.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Grant |first=Shawn |date=September 30, 2021 |title=The New Era & Genre Of Hip Hop is Progressive Music |url=https://thesource.com/2021/09/30/the-new-era-genre-of-hip-hop-is-progressive-music/ |access-date=November 9, 2022 |website=The Source |language=en-US |archive-date=November 10, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221110025158/https://thesource.com/2021/09/30/the-new-era-genre-of-hip-hop-is-progressive-music/ |url-status=live }}</ref> He suggests that his music is genreless, explaining in a 2012 interview, "You really can't categorize my music, it's human music."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://youheardthatnew.com/2012/09/video-kendrick-lamar-you-really-cant-categorize-my-music-its-human-music/ |title=Video: Kendrick Lamar: "You Really Can't Categorize My Music, It's Human Music." |last=Ivey |first=Nile |website=YouHeardThatNew |date=September 23, 2012 |access-date=October 29, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170821002757/http://youheardthatnew.com/2012/09/video-kendrick-lamar-you-really-cant-categorize-my-music-its-human-music/ |archive-date=August 21, 2017 |url-status=dead }}</ref> ''PopDust'' opined that during the 2010s, a decade that was arguably defined by hip hop, Lamar constantly pushed the boundaries of what the genre could be.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gordon |first=Eden Arielle |date=December 12, 2019 |title=Artists of the 2010s: Frank Ocean, Bon Iver, Mitski, and Kendrick Lamar - Popdust |url=https://www.popdust.com/best-artists-of-the-decade-2641572042.html |access-date=October 24, 2023 |website=PopDust |language=en}}</ref>

Lamar did not care for [[Record producer|music production]] during the beginning of his career.<ref name="Barker">{{Cite web |last=Barker |first=Andrew |date=November 21, 2017 |title=How Kendrick Lamar Became the Defining Hip-Hop Artist of His Generation |url=https://variety.com/2017/music/features/kendrick-lamar-career-damn-to-pimp-a-butterfly-1202619725/ |access-date=October 24, 2023 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref> However, as he placed an emphasis on songwriting and "making material that's universal", he grew more exacting and adventurous with his [[Musical composition|compositions]].<ref name="Barker" /> He is heavily involved with every aspect of his production process, including the [[Audio mixing (recorded music)|mixing]] and [[Mastering (audio)|mastering]] stages, and is known for working long hours in the recording studio.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Cirisano |first=Tatiana |date=February 8, 2019 |title=Meet the Man Competing Against Himself in Multiple Big Four Categories at This Year's Grammys |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/awards/childish-gambino-kendrick-lamar-mastering-engineer-mike-bozzi-interview-grammys-8497072/ |access-date=October 24, 2023 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}}</ref> "You gotta be hands on and know the different sounds and [[Audio frequency|frequencies]]," Lamar explained to ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]''.<ref name="Barker" /> "What makes people move, what [[Melody|melodies]] stick with you, taking the higher [[octave]]s and the lower octaves and learning how to intertwine that in a certain frequency, how to manipulate sound to your advantage."<ref name="Barker" /> Lamar chooses to work with a close-knit team of musicians, rather than constantly seek high-profile talent.<ref name="hiphopdx1">{{cite web |last=Horowitz |first=Steven J. |date=August 2, 2012 |title=Kendrick Lamar Says "good kid, m.A.A.d City" Will Sound "Nothing" Like "Section.80" |url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.20658/title.kendrick-lamar-says-good-kid-maad-city-will-sound-nothing-like-section80/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121104212338/http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.20658/title.kendrick-lamar-says-good-kid-maad-city-will-sound-nothing-like-section80 |archive-date=November 4, 2012 |access-date=December 15, 2012 |work=HipHopDX}}</ref> He has been working with his longtime producer, [[Sounwave]], since his 2009 self-titled EP.<ref name="Mixtapes" />

''Kendrick Lamar'' marked a pivotal change in Lamar's artistry. Unlike his earlier mixtapes, which consisted of freestyles over [[Contemporary hit radio|CHR]] and [[Urban contemporary music|urban radio]] singles, the EP incorporated melancholic and "doleful" original production that emphasized his lyrics.<ref name="Mixtapes" /> Austere jazz production was blended with [[Alternative hip hop|alternative rap]] styles on ''Section.80'',<ref>{{Cite web |last=Breihan |first=Tom |date=July 2, 2021 |title=Kendrick Lamar 'Section.80' Review: Looking Back 10 Years Later |url=https://www.stereogum.com/2152402/kendrick-lamar-section-80-review/reviews/the-anniversary/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221031143439/stereogum.com/2152402/kendrick-lamar-section-80-review/reviews/the-anniversary/ |archive-date=October 31, 2022 |access-date=April 20, 2023 |website=Stereogum |language=en}}</ref> with instrumentals drawing from R&B, [[boom bap]], [[Psychedelic music|psychedelia]], and [[downtempo]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dart |first=Chris |date=July 19, 2011 |title=Kendrick Lamar, ''Section.80'' |url=https://exclaim.ca/music/article/kendrick_lamar-section80 |access-date=October 27, 2023 |website=Exclaim!}}</ref> ''Good Kid, M.A.A.D City'' abandoned the tastes of contemporary hip hop by exploring a subtle, atmospheric side of West Coast hip hop and [[gangsta rap]].<ref name="Caramanica">{{cite web |last=Caramanica |first=Jon |date=October 29, 2012 |title=Storytelling Rappers, Cool and Hot |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/29/arts/music/kendrick-lamar-and-meek-mill-rappers-with-debut-albums.html?adxnnl=1&pagewanted=all&adxnnlx=1353690918-7E2jie3vlz5/l0x7XzzxfQ&_r=0 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141231161419/http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/29/arts/music/kendrick-lamar-and-meek-mill-rappers-with-debut-albums.html?adxnnl=1&pagewanted=all&adxnnlx=1353690918-7E2jie3vlz5%2Fl0x7XzzxfQ&_r=0 |archive-date=December 31, 2014 |access-date=November 23, 2012 |work=[[The New York Times]] |page=C1}}</ref><ref name="Madden">{{cite web |last=Madden |first=Mike |date=October 24, 2012 |title=Album Review: Kendrick Lamar – good kid, m.A.A.d city |url=http://consequenceofsound.net/2012/10/album-review-kendrick-lamar-good-kid-m-a-a-d-city/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121127034916/http://consequenceofsound.net/2012/10/album-review-kendrick-lamar-good-kid-m-a-a-d-city/ |archive-date=November 27, 2012 |access-date=November 23, 2012 |work=[[Consequence (publication)|Consequence]]}}</ref> ''To Pimp a Butterfly'' is an amalgamation of genres synonymous with [[African-American music]], most prominently jazz, [[funk]], and soul.<ref name="Anderson">{{cite magazine |last=Anderson |first=Kyle |date=March 26, 2015 |title='To Pimp a Butterfly' by Kendrick Lamar: EW review |url=https://www.ew.com/article/2015/03/26/kendrick-lamar-review |url-status=live |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |location=New York |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150407075907/http://www.ew.com/article/2015/03/26/kendrick-lamar-review |archive-date=April 7, 2015 |access-date=April 3, 2015}}</ref><ref name="oral history">{{cite web |author=Hale |first=Andreas |date=February 9, 2016 |title=The Oral History Of Kendrick Lamar's To Pimp A Butterfly |url=http://www.grammy.com/news/the-oral-history-of-kendrick-lamars-to-pimp-a-butterfly |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160211020705/http://www.grammy.com/news/the-oral-history-of-kendrick-lamars-to-pimp-a-butterfly |archive-date=February 11, 2016 |access-date=February 11, 2016 |publisher=The Recording Academy}}</ref> It redefined [[jazz rap]] by highlighting [[Jazz improvisation|improvisation]] and [[Solo (music)|soloing]] rather than primarily using [[Sampling (music)|sampling]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Fusilli |first=Jim |date=October 21, 2015 |title=The Metamorphosis of Kendrick Lamar's 'Butterfly' |language=en-US |work=[[The Wall Street Journal]] |url=http://www.wsj.com/articles/the-metamorphosis-of-kendrick-lamars-butterfly-1445463824 |access-date=October 27, 2023 |issn=0099-9660}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Weiss |first=Dan |date=March 20, 2015 |title=Review: Kendrick Lamar Returns With the Great American Hip-Hop Album, 'To Pimp a Butterfly |url=https://www.spin.com/2015/03/kendrick-lamar-to-pimp-a-butterfly/ |access-date=October 27, 2023 |website=Spin}}</ref> [[Minimal music|Minimalist]] [[arrangement]]s are incorporated in ''Damn'' and ''Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers.''<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wang |first=Oliver |date=April 17, 2017 |title=Kendrick Lamar's 'DAMN.' Is Introspective And Unforgiving |url=https://www.npr.org/2017/04/17/524351436/kendrick-lamars-damn-is-introspective-and-unforgiving |access-date=October 27, 2023 |website=NPR Music}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Amorosi |first=A. D. |date=August 11, 2022 |title=Kendrick Lamar: Myth, Mirth and Mr. Morale |url=https://philadelphiaweekly.com/kendrick-lamar-myth-mirth-and-mr-morale/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220908033541/https://philadelphiaweekly.com/kendrick-lamar-myth-mirth-and-mr-morale/ |archive-date=September 8, 2022 |access-date=September 8, 2022 |website=[[Philadelphia Weekly]] |language=en-US}}</ref> ''Damn'' appealed to mainstream listeners through its [[Pop music|pop]] and R&B-influenced production,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lewis |first=Alyson |date=April 14, 2023 |title='DAMN.': Kendrick Lamar's Pursuit For Higher Learning |url=https://www.udiscovermusic.com/stories/kendrick-lamar-damn-album/ |access-date=October 28, 2023 |website=uDiscover Music |language=en-US}}</ref> while the scattered and [[Distortion (music)|distorted]] instrumentals of ''Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers'' was designed to make listeners feel anxious and uncomfortable.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Svetz |first=Josh |date=May 18, 2022 |title=Kendrick Lamar Tears Down the Persona on Revealing Opus Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers |url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/music/kendrick-lamar/mr-morale-the-big-steppers-album-review |access-date=October 28, 2023 |website=Paste Magazine |language=en-US}}</ref>

=== Voice ===
Several media outlets consider Lamar to be the greatest and most important rapper of his generation.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Miller |first=Matt |date=January 25, 2016 |title=Watch Kendrick Lamar Rap 'Alright' With the People of Compton |url=https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/music/news/a41487/kendrick-lamar-alright-compton/ |access-date=October 19, 2023 |website=Esquire |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Lochrie |first=Conor |date=December 17, 2022 |title=Kendrick Lamar Mixes Energy and Profundity at Final Tour Show |url=https://au.rollingstone.com/music/music-live-reviews/kendrick-lamar-auckland-live-review-44418/ |access-date=October 19, 2023 |website=Rolling Stone Australia |language=en-AU}}</ref> ''Billboard'', ''[[Forbes]]'' and ''[[Vibe (magazine)|Vibe]]'' named him the [[Billboard and Vibe's 50 Greatest Rappers of All Time|second-greatest rapper of all time]], behind [[Jay-Z]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bustard |first=Andy |date=February 9, 2023 |title=JAY-Z Named Billboard's No. 1 Rapper Of All Time, Social Media Reacts |url=https://hiphopdx.com/news/jay-z-greatest-rapper-all-time-billboard-reactions |access-date=October 19, 2023 |website=HipHopDX |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Bossi |first=Andrea |date=March 16, 2024 |title=The 50 Top Rappers Of All Time |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/entertainment/article/best-rappers-of-all-time/ |url-access=limited |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240410201118/https://www.forbes.com/sites/entertainment/article/best-rappers-of-all-time/?sh=634321681a27 |archive-date=April 10, 2024 |access-date=May 27, 2024 |website=Forbes |language=en}}</ref> Described as a "blazing" technical rapper and "relentless searcher" by ''[[The New York Times]]'',<ref name="NYT Review">{{Cite news |last=Caramanica |first=Jon |date=July 13, 2017 |title=Review: Kendrick Lamar, Rap's Skeptical Superstar, Avoids Arena Spectacle |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/13/arts/music/kendrick-lamar-damn-tour-review.html |url-status=live |access-date=August 12, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170812034629/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/13/arts/music/kendrick-lamar-damn-tour-review.html |archive-date=August 12, 2017 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Lamar's "limber, dexterous" flow switches from [[Morphological derivation|derivative]] to [[generative metrics]],<ref>{{Cite news |last=Taylor, Jr. |first=Otis R. |date=August 5, 2017 |title=Kendrick Lamar fans feel the spirit, the words and the light |work=SFGate |url=http://www.sfgate.com/music/article/Kendrick-Lamar-fans-feel-the-spirit-the-words-11737245.php |url-status=live |access-date=August 12, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170811191522/http://www.sfgate.com/music/article/Kendrick-Lamar-fans-feel-the-spirit-the-words-11737245.php |archive-date=August 11, 2017}}</ref>{{sfn|Mattessich|2019|p=1–12}} while incorporating [[Internal rhyme|internal]] and [[Multisyllabic rhymes|multisyllabic]] [[rhyme scheme]]s.{{sfn|Wadsworth|Needle|2022|p=69–94}} His rhymes are typically manipulated within [[Time signature|common time]], allowing him to subtly control his [[metrical phonology]] and suggest formal [[Ambiguity|ambiguities]] similar to pop and [[Rock music|rock]] repertoires.{{sfn|Wadsworth|Needle|2022|p=69–94}} Some of his rhyme manipulations feature "flexible" [[New-school hip hop|new school]] styles evoking the 1990s, while others use "rigid" [[Old-school hip hop|old school]] elements recalling the 1980s.{{sfn|Wadsworth|Needle|2022|p=69–94}} Lamar frequently uses [[syncopation]] in his melodies to create contradictions between his lyrical content and rhythms.{{sfn|Sloan|Harding|Gottlieb|2019|p=87–C9.F1}} With ''Good Kid, M.A.A.D City'', he liberally plays with [[pronunciation]], [[inflection]]s, and delivery to mirror the album's emotional range.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cowie |first=Del F. |date=October 24, 2012 |title=Kendrick Lamar: good kid, m.A.A.d. city |url=https://exclaim.ca/music/article/kendrick_lamar-good_kid_md_city |access-date=October 20, 2023 |website=Exclaim!}}</ref> 

Lamar possesses a versatile [[tenor]] [[vocal range]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Charity |first=Justin |date=August 1, 2017 |title=The Best Kendrick Lamar Songs |url=https://www.complex.com/music/a/insanul-ahmed/25-best-kendrick-lamar-songs |access-date=October 20, 2023 |website=Complex |language=en-us}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Powers |first=Ann |author-link=Ann Powers |date=April 14, 2017 |title=Basking In Sin: Some Initial Thoughts On Kendrick Lamar's 'DAMN.' |url=https://www.npr.org/sections/therecord/2017/04/14/523976211/basking-in-sin-some-initial-thoughts-on-kendrick-lamars-damn |access-date=October 20, 2023 |website=NPR Music}}</ref> and a raspy, half-shout [[timbre]], where "his throat sounds dry and his mouth sounds wet."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Richards |first=Chris |date=April 19, 2017 |title=Kendrick Lamar gives a 'Damn' |work=The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier |url=https://wcfcourier.com/kendrick-lamar-gives-a-damn/article_513656e8-d4c5-5890-932e-0e4ec91984bd.html |access-date=October 20, 2023}}</ref> [[André 3000]] was the first rapper that introduced him to singing sensibilities in hip hop,<ref name="Hiatt2">{{Cite magazine |last=Hiatt |first=Brian |date=August 9, 2017 |title=Kendrick Lamar: The Best Rapper Alive on Bono, Mandela, Stardom and More |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/kendrick-lamar-the-rolling-stone-interview-199817/ |access-date=October 20, 2023 |magazine=Rolling Stone |language=en-US}}</ref> and he writes melody-driven songs as practice for his rap albums.<ref name="Hiatt2" /> Lamar became comfortable with his vocals over time, to the point where he feels confident enough to create singing-based albums.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Welch |first=Will |date=October 20, 2016 |title=Kendrick Lamar Talks to Rick Rubin About "Alright," Eminem, and Kendrick's Next Album |url=https://www.gq.com/story/kendrick-lamar-rick-rubin-gq-style-cover-interview |archive-url=https://archive.today/20231020185158/https://www.gq.com/story/kendrick-lamar-rick-rubin-gq-style-cover-interview |archive-date=October 20, 2023 |access-date=October 20, 2023 |website=GQ |language=en-US}}</ref> ''Pitchfork'' noticed how his [[Vocal harmony|harmonies]] on ''To Pimp a Butterfly'' never made him sound alone throughout his "desolate" performance; comparing his [[Double tracking|vocal layering]] to "standing in the middle, unnoticed, of a large quarrelsome crowd."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Greene |first=Jayson |date=April 8, 2015 |title=Evolve With the Flow: How Drake and Kendrick Found Their Voices |url=https://pitchfork.com/features/overtones/9623-evolve-with-the-flow-how-drake-and-kendrick-found-their-voices/ |access-date=October 19, 2023 |website=Pitchfork |language=en}}</ref>

Praised for his willingness to use his voice as an instrument,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Zisook |first=Brian “Z” |date=February 12, 2018 |title=Kendrick Lamar & The Importance of Cadence in Rap |language=en |website=DJBooth |url=https://djbooth.net/features/2017-05-31-kendrick-lamar-cadence-in-rap |access-date=November 9, 2022}}</ref> Lamar adopts different [[cadence]]s, [[Tone (linguistics)|tones]], [[Modulation (music)|modulations]], and timbres to suggest conflicting personalities, paint distinct emotions, and communicate stories using [[Character (arts)|characters]] and [[persona]]s.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Reiff |first=Corbin |date=April 17, 2017 |title='DAMN.' Proves That Kendrick Lamar Is The Greatest Rapper Alive |url=https://uproxx.com/music/damn-makes-kendrick-lamar-greatest-alive/ |access-date=October 10, 2023 |website=Uproxx |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name="Félix">{{Cite magazine |last=Félix |first=Doreen St |date=July 26, 2017 |title=The Autofictions of Kendrick Lamar |language=en-US |magazine=The New Yorker |url=https://www.newyorker.com/culture/culture-desk/the-autofictions-of-kendrick-lamar |access-date=October 30, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170728222413/newyorker.com/culture/culture-desk/the-autofictions-of-kendrick-lamar |archive-date=July 28, 2017 |issn=0028-792X}}</ref> His [[falsetto]] register, which he calls the "ghetto falsetto",<ref name="Hiatt2" /> has been likened to [[Curtis Mayfield]]'s.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tucker |first=Ken |date=April 27, 2017 |title=Kendrick Lamar Extends His Vocal And Emotional Range On 'DAMN.' |url=https://www.npr.org/2017/04/27/525879802/kendrick-lamar-extends-his-vocal-and-emotional-range-on-damn |access-date=October 20, 2023 |website=NPR Music}}</ref> [[MTV]] writes that by manipulating his voice, Lamar calls back to a lineage that runs through [[James Brown]]'s foundational work in the 1960s, 1970s psychedelia, Prince's "sweaty" [[phantasmagoria]] in the 1980s, and 1990s [[gangsta rap]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Love |first=Tirhakah |date=June 14, 2017 |title=Kendrick Lamar's Journey Into The Funk |url=https://www.mtv.com/news/rbxnfu/kendrick-lamar-voice-funk |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221110030649/https://www.mtv.com/news/rbxnfu/kendrick-lamar-voice-funk |archive-date=2022-11-10 |access-date=November 9, 2022 |website=MTV |language=en}}</ref> He was ranked the tenth-best solo singer of the 21st century by ''[[The Times]]'' in 2023.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Cairns |first1=Dan |last2=Wollocombe |first2=Luz |date=January 22, 2023 |title=Ranked: the best 20 solo singers of this century |language=en |work=The Times |url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/ranked-the-best-20-solo-singers-of-this-century-3bxk7zt93 |access-date=October 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230131030654/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/ranked-the-best-20-solo-singers-of-this-century-3bxk7zt93 |archive-date=January 31, 2023 |issn=0140-0460}}</ref>

=== Songwriting ===
{{Further|List of songs recorded by Kendrick Lamar}}
Branded as a "master of [[storytelling]]" by ''[[The New Yorker]]'',<ref name="Félix" /> Lamar has been referred to as one of the greatest [[lyricist]]s in modern hip hop by several publications and his peers.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cridlin |first=Jay |date=May 17, 2018 |title=Kendrick Lamar and the Pulitzer Prize: Here's why he's the best songwriter alive |url=https://www.tampabay.com/things-to-do/music/Kendrick-Lamar-and-the-Pulitzer-Prize-Here-s-why-he-s-the-best-songwriter-alive_168121681/ |access-date=November 1, 2023 |website=Tampa Bay Times |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Shifferaw |first=Abel |date=February 10, 2022 |title=Eminem Calls Kendrick Lamar One of the 'Top Tier Lyricists' of All Time |url=https://www.complex.com/music/a/abel-shifferaw/eminem-calls-kendrick-lamar-one-of-the-top-tier-lyricists-of-all-time |access-date=November 1, 2023 |website=Complex |language=en-us}}</ref> [[Pharrell Williams]] suggests that what makes his songwriting stand out is because he "knows how to be very disciplined with a subject matter, he knows that stickiness is important, and he knows that it has to be great."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Robinson |first=Ellie |date=June 11, 2022 |title=Pharrell calls Kendrick Lamar "one of the greatest writers of our time" |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/pharrell-calls-kendrick-lamar-one-of-the-greatest-writers-of-our-time-3244927 |access-date=October 31, 2023 |website=NME |language=en-GB}}</ref> ''[[American Songwriter]]'' notes that for as much as Lamar is a musician, lyricist, and emcee, he is also "a [[playwright]], a [[novelist]], a [[short story]] author. He's [[Literature|literary]] within the art form of music."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Uitti |first=Jacob |date=October 16, 2022 |title=The 40 Best Kendrick Lamar Quotes |url=https://americansongwriter.com/the-40-best-kendrick-lamar-quotes/ |access-date=November 11, 2022 |website=American Songwriter |language=en-US}}</ref> Lamar's [[Reflective writing|reflective]] narrative songwriting pulls from a wide range of [[List of narrative techniques|literary]] and [[cinematic techniques]], such as [[hip hop skit]]s and [[voice-over]]s, to allow his audience to follow internal and external [[Plot (narrative)|storylines]].<ref name="Hellerbach">{{Cite web |last=Hellerbach |first=Miki |date=August 11, 2023 |title=How Kendrick Lamar Used Narration to Become Rap's Best Storyteller |url=https://www.okayplayer.com/url-kendrick-lamar-albums-narrator |access-date=October 31, 2023 |website=Okayplayer |language=en}}</ref> His fusion of various [[film styles]] and his sonic influence has elevated his works to be some of the most "consistently poignant" in hip hop, and promoted the advancement of the [[Plot device|narrative device]].<ref name="Hellerbach" />

Lamar, who self-identifies as a musician and writer,<ref name="Mason" /> begins his songwriting process with an assortment of premeditated thoughts that he jotted down over the course of one year.<ref name="GQ16">{{Cite web |date=October 20, 2016 |title=Watch Kendrick Lamar Meet Rick Rubin and Have an Epic Conversation |url=https://www.gq.com/video/watch/watch-kendrick-lamar-meet-rick-rubin-and-have-an-epic-conversation |access-date=October 31, 2016 |website=GQ |language=en-US}}</ref> His personal experiences are a common source of inspiration, but he also pulls ideas from meeting new people, traveling, and experiencing different [[culture]]s.<ref name="GQ16" /> A devout [[Christians|Christian]], he additionally shares his [[Spirituality|spiritual]] triumphs and struggles on his songs.<ref>{{cite news |last=Funaro |first=Vincent |date=January 12, 2015 |title='We're in the Last Days, I Truly in My Heart Believe That,' Says Kendrick Lamar |newspaper=[[The Christian Post]] |url=http://www.christianpost.com/news/were-in-the-last-days-i-truly-in-my-heart-believe-that-says-kendrick-lamar-132450/ |url-status=live |access-date=September 15, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150908020326/http://www.christianpost.com/news/were-in-the-last-days-i-truly-in-my-heart-believe-that-says-kendrick-lamar-132450/ |archive-date=September 8, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Bassil |first=Ryan |date=April 19, 2017 |title=Kendrick's 'DAMN.' Is a Spiritual Reawakening |url=https://noisey.vice.com/en_uk/article/jpzppp/kendrick-lamar-damn-spiritual-reawakening-religion |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170822055311/https://noisey.vice.com/en_uk/article/jpzppp/kendrick-lamar-damn-spiritual-reawakening-religion |archive-date=August 22, 2017 |access-date=August 22, 2017 |website=Noisey |language=en-uk}}</ref> He is an avid [[Note-taking|note-taker]], and has developed keywords, [[phrase]]s, and sounds to help him "trigger the exact emotions" he felt when writing the initial [[Demo (music)|demo]].<ref name="GQ16" />

Considered to be a "radio-friendly but overtly [[Politics|political]] rapper" by ''Pitchfork'',<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 30, 2017 |title=Explore Kendrick Lamar's ''DAMN.'' on Pitchfork's "Instant Classic" |url=https://pitchfork.com/tv/56-liner-notes/kendrick-lamar-or-damn-or-instant-classic/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180209063231/https://pitchfork.com/tv/56-liner-notes/kendrick-lamar-or-damn-or-instant-classic/ |archive-date=February 9, 2018 |access-date=February 8, 2018 |website=Pitchfork |language=en}}</ref> and a [[Populism|populist]] by ''[[The Wall Street Journal]]'',<ref>{{Cite news |last=Shah |first=Neil |date=August 19, 2017 |title=The Case for Kendrick Lamar |language=en-US |work=[[The Wall Street Journal]] |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-case-for-kendrick-lamar-1503140436 |url-status=live |access-date=August 20, 2017 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20171004222939/https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-case-for-kendrick-lamar-1503140436 |archive-date=October 4, 2017 |issn=0099-9660}}</ref> Lamar's songwriting regularly infuses [[political criticism]] and [[social commentary]] concerning [[African-American culture]].<ref name=":2">{{Cite news |last=Kornhaber |first=Spencer |date=February 11, 2015 |title=What Kendrick Lamar's "The Blacker the Berry" Really Means |language=en-US |work=The Atlantic |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2015/02/kendrick-lamar-is-not-a-hypocrite/385384/ |url-status=live |access-date=February 8, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180219203526/https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2015/02/kendrick-lamar-is-not-a-hypocrite/385384/ |archive-date=February 19, 2018}}</ref> Common themes explored include [[Social inequality|racial inequality]], [[institutional discrimination]], and [[Black power|black empowerment]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Petridis |first=Alexis |author-link=Alexis Petridis |date=March 4, 2016 |title=Kendrick Lamar's Untitled Unmastered: 'The work of someone who's in it for the long haul' – first-listen review |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2016/mar/04/kendrik-lamar-untitled-unmastered-first-listen-review-alexis-petridis |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180209182343/https://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2016/mar/04/kendrik-lamar-untitled-unmastered-first-listen-review-alexis-petridis |archive-date=February 9, 2018 |access-date=February 8, 2018 |website=The Guardian |language=en}}</ref> Lamar's [[critique]]s has been compared to the [[State of the Union|State of the Union Address]] by ''[[The Guardian]]'',<ref>{{Cite web |last=Petridis |first=Alexis |date=April 14, 2017 |title=Kendrick Lamar: Damn review – more mellow but just as angry |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2017/apr/14/kendrick-lamar-damn-review |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170422012038/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2017/apr/14/kendrick-lamar-damn-review |archive-date=April 22, 2017 |access-date=February 8, 2018 |website=The Guardian |language=en}}</ref> while ''Billboard'' described it as "[[William Shakespeare|Shakespearean]]".<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Alysse |first=Bianca |date=February 5, 2018 |title=Kendrick Lamar's 20 Best Songs: Critic's Picks |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/8097320/kendrick-lamar-songs-best-hits-list |url-status=live |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180529130115/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/8097320/kendrick-lamar-songs-best-hits-list |archive-date=May 29, 2018 |access-date=May 28, 2018}}</ref> ''[[HuffPost]]'' opined that his work is a "great" piece of [[journalism]] because it "speaks from the prerogative of black communities facing [[oppression]] and directly attacks the [[institution]]s responsible for their pain," an achievement most [[Journalist|reporters]] cannot attain.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Craven |first=Julia |date=April 18, 2018 |title=Kendrick Lamar Won A Pulitzer Because 'DAMN.' Is Journalism |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/kendrick-lamar-pulitzer-damn-journalism_n_5ad66e49e4b03c426da92b81 |access-date=November 1, 2023 |website=HuffPost |language=en}}</ref>

Lamar tries to carry a [[Concept album|conceptual]] idea inside of his music, "whether it's a big [[concept]] or it's so subtle you can't even tell until you get to 20 listens."<ref name="Barker" /> Fans and publications have theorized that his albums are related to different forms of [[mass media]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 12, 2022 |title=There's a wild fan theory about the true meaning behind all of Kendrick Lamar's albums |url=https://www.maifm.co.nz/home/archive/2022/05/theres-a-wild-fan-theory-about-the-true-meaning-behind-all-of-kendrick-lamars-albums-.html |access-date=November 1, 2023 |website=MaiFM |language=en}}</ref> ''[[Section.80]]'' is regarded as a short story collection inspired and themed around events that impacted the [[Millennials|millennial generation]], such as [[Presidency of Ronald Reagan|Ronald Reagan's presidency]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Phillips |first=Yoh |date=March 12, 2015 |title=My Pain: Why Kendrick Lamar's 'Section.80' is Better Than 'GKMC' |language=en |work=DJBooth |url=https://djbooth.net/features/kendrick-lamar-section80-better-than-gkmc |access-date=November 1, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Ramirez |first=Erika |date=September 2, 2011 |title=Kendrick Lamar Talks 'Section.80,' New Album and Upcoming Videos |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/kendrick-lamar-talks-section80-new-album-and-upcoming-videos-467608/ |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US |access-date=November 10, 2022}}</ref> The [[nonlinear narrative]] structure of ''[[Good Kid, M.A.A.D City]]'' is billed as a [[Coming-of-age story|coming-of-age]] [[short film]] that chronicles Lamar's harsh teenage experiences in his native Compton.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Morpurgo |first=Joseph |date=October 23, 2012 |title=Good Kid, m.A.A.d City |url=https://www.factmag.com/2012/10/23/kendrick-lamar-good-kid-m-a-a-d-city/ |access-date=November 10, 2022 |website=Fact Magazine |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Wood |first=Mikael |date=October 24, 2012 |title=Kendrick Lamar roams Compton in 'good kid, m.A.A.d city' |url=http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/music/posts/la-et-ms-kendrick-lamar-review-20121024%2C0%2C6292536.story |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121126060511/http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/music/posts/la-et-ms-kendrick-lamar-review-20121024%2C0%2C6292536.story |archive-date=November 26, 2012 |access-date=November 9, 2022 |website=Los Angeles Times}}</ref> Its cinematic scope has been compared to the [[screenplay]]s written by [[Martin Scorsese]] and [[Quentin Tarantino]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Saponara |first=Michael |date=October 12, 2022 |title=Kendrick Lamar's 'good kid, m.A.A.d city' Crowned Greatest Concept Album Of All Time |url=https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.74117/title.kendrick-lamar-good-kid-maad-city-greatest-concept-album |access-date=November 1, 2023 |website=HipHopDX |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Hale |first=Andreas |date=October 22, 2017 |title=How Kendrick Lamar's 'good kid, m.A.A.d city' is Hip-Hop's 'Pulp Fiction' |url=https://www.okayplayer.com/originals/good-kid-maad-city-retrospective-andreas-hale-kendrick-lamar-tde.html |access-date=November 1, 2023 |website=Okayplayer |language=en}}</ref> ''To Pimp a Butterfly'' unfolds as both a [[Poetry|poem]] and blank [[Letter (message)|letter]] that explores the responsibilities of being a [[role model]] and documents life as an African American during [[Presidency of Barack Obama|Barack Obama's presidency]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ward |first=Priscilla |date=March 19, 2015 |title="To Pimp a Butterfly": Kendrick Lamar's unapologetic black American dream |url=https://www.salon.com/2015/03/18/to_pimp_a_butterfly_kendrick_lamars_unapologetic_black_american_dream/ |access-date=November 10, 2022 |website=Salon |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Miller |first=Monica |date=April 4, 2015 |title=Butterfly Flow: Tupac, Kendrick Lamar, and the Resurrection of New Black Godz |url=https://daily.jstor.org/butterfly-flow-tupac-kendrick-lamar-and-the-mythic-pantheon-of-new-black-godz/ |access-date=November 10, 2022 |website=JSTOR Daily |language=en-US}}</ref> ''Damn'' is labeled as an [[Introspection|introspective]] [[satire]] that explores the dualities of [[human nature]] and [[morality]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chinapen |first=Mark |date=October 21, 2021 |title=Is It Wickedness? Is It Weakness? DAMN. By Kendrick Lamar |url=https://medium.com/modern-music-analysis/is-it-wickedness-is-it-weakness-damn-by-kendrick-lamar-fc918a20707f |access-date=November 10, 2022 |website=Modern Music Analysis |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Davey |first=Jacob |date=April 18, 2017 |title=Kendrick Lamar's 'DAMN.' Reflects the Duality of Human Nature |url=https://www.highsnobiety.com/p/kendrick-lamar-damn-review/ |access-date=November 10, 2022 |website=Highsnobiety |language=en}}</ref> ''Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers'' takes on the form of a [[Play (theatre)|theatrical play]], with [[Confessional writing|confessional]] lyrics based on Lamar's experiences in [[Psychotherapy|therapy]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Holmes |first=Charles |date=May 16, 2022 |title=Kendrick Lamar's 'Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers' Is As Messy and Complicated As the Man Who Made It |url=https://www.theringer.com/2022/5/16/23074781/kendrick-lamar-mr-morale-big-steppers-review |access-date=November 10, 2022 |website=The Ringer |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last1=Gee |first1=Andre |last2=Skelton |first2=Eric |last3=Rose |first3=Jordan |last4=McKinney |first4=Jessica |date=May 13, 2022 |title=10 Big Themes on Kendrick Lamar's 'Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers' |url=https://www.complex.com/music/kendrick-lamar-mr-morale-theme-breakdown/ |access-date=November 10, 2022 |website=Complex |language=en}}</ref> Lamar has won the [[BET Hip Hop Awards|BET Hip Hop Award]] for Lyricist of the Year nine times, the most wins by any artist.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bustard |first=Andy |date=October 11, 2023 |title=Kendrick Lamar Makes History As He Wins Big At 2023 BET Hip Hop Awards |url=https://hiphopdx.com/news/bet-hip-hop-awards-2023-winners-kendrick-lamar |access-date=November 1, 2023 |website=HipHopDX |language=en}}</ref> He has also published articles for ''Billboard'',<ref>{{Cite magazine |last1=Lamar |first1=Kendrick |last2=Ritz |first2=David |author-link2=David Ritz |date=August 13, 2015 |title=Billboard Cover: Kendrick Lamar Interviews N.W.A About Coming 'Straight Outta Compton' and Changing the World |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/kendrick-lamar-nwa-interview-straight-outta-compton-movie-eazy-e-legacy-6663160/ |access-date=November 1, 2023 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}}</ref> ''[[Interview (magazine)|Interview]]'',<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lamar |first=Kendrick |date=August 29, 2023 |title="I Was Prepared to Die": Tems and Kendrick Lamar on Inspiration and Obsession |url=https://www.interviewmagazine.com/music/i-was-prepared-to-die-tems-and-kendrick-lamar-on-inspiration-and-obsession |access-date=November 1, 2023 |website=Interview Magazine |language=en-US}}</ref> ''[[Paper (magazine)|Paper]]'',<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lamar |first=Kendrick |date=October 6, 2015 |title="He Was Telling a Different Type of Truth:" Kendrick Lamar Pays Tribute to Eazy-E |url=http://papermag.com/2015/10/kendrick_lamar_eazy_e_nwa_hip_hops_lost_leaders.php |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151008144327/papermag.com/2015/10/kendrick_lamar_eazy_e_nwa_hip_hops_lost_leaders.php |archive-date=October 8, 2015 |access-date=November 1, 2023 |website=Paper}}</ref> and ''[[XXL (magazine)|XXL]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lamar |first=Kendrick |date=January 6, 2015 |title=Writer At War: Kendrick Lamar's XXL Cover Story |url=https://www.xxlmag.com/writer-war-kendrick-lamar-own-words/ |access-date=November 1, 2023 |website=XXL |language=en}}</ref>

== Reception ==
=== Legacy ===
[[File:Kendrick Lamar 3 F.I.B. 2016 (cropped).jpg|right|thumb|347x347px|Lamar performing at the [[Festival Internacional de Benicàssim]] in 2016]]
As one of the most influential musicians of the [[2010s in music|2010s decade]], Lamar has been deemed a [[paradigm shift]] in contemporary [[Hip hop (culture)|hip hop]] and [[popular culture]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Braboy |first=Mark |date=December 4, 2019 |title=Kendrick Lamar is the artist of the decade |url=https://www.insider.com/kendrick-lamar-artist-of-the-decade-2010s-2019-12 |access-date=August 18, 2020 |website=Insider}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=The 10 artists who transformed music this decade |work=CNN |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2019/12/31/entertainment/2010s-music-artists-define-decade-trnd/index.html |url-status=live |access-date=March 18, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200226212102/https://edition.cnn.com/2019/12/31/entertainment/2010s-music-artists-define-decade-trnd/index.html |archive-date=February 26, 2020}}</ref> His discography became a catalyst in the upsurge of [[social conscience]] across multiple generations; challenging the [[status quo]] by encouraging listeners to reexamine social institutions.<ref name=":6">{{cite magazine |last=Legaspi |first=Althea |date=January 14, 2016 |title=Kendrick Lamar to Receive Key to Compton |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/kendrick-lamar-to-receive-key-to-compton-20160114 |url-status=live |magazine=Rolling Stone |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160116024255/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/kendrick-lamar-to-receive-key-to-compton-20160114 |archive-date=January 16, 2016 |access-date=January 14, 2016}}</ref> Throughout the [[Black Lives Matter]] movement and events following the [[2016 United States presidential election|2016 U.S. presidential election]], his work has been used as [[Protest song|protest anthems]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 13, 2016 |title=Protestors disrupt Trump's Chicago rally by chanting Kendrick Lamar's 'Alright' |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/kendrick-lamar-alright-chanted-protestors-trump-chicago-rally-a6928731.html |access-date=October 1, 2021 |website=The Independent |language=en}}</ref> According to American studies and media scholar William Hoynes, Lamar's [[Progressive rap|progressive]] elements places him amongst other African American artists and activists who "worked both inside and outside of the mainstream to advance a [[counterculture]] that opposes the racist stereotypes being propagated in white-owned media and culture."<ref>{{cite book |last1=Croteau |first1=David |title=Media/Society: Technology, Industries, Content, and Users |last2=Hoynes |first2=William |last3=Childress |first3=Clayton |publisher=[[SAGE Publications]] |year=2021 |isbn=9781071819319 |page=274}}</ref> He has been credited with reviving [[jazz rap]] and the music video as a form of social commentary.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Miller |first=Matt |date=March 31, 2017 |title=Kendrick Lamar Just Made the Greatest Music Video in Years |work=Esquire |url=http://www.esquire.com/entertainment/music/news/a54233/kendrick-lamar-humble-video/ |url-status=live |access-date=March 31, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170401145509/http://www.esquire.com/entertainment/music/news/a54233/kendrick-lamar-humble-video/ |archive-date=April 1, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Moore |first=Marcus J. |date=April 7, 2020 |title=Kendrick Lamar Thinks Like A Jazz Musician |language=en |work=NPR |url=https://www.npr.org/2020/04/07/828115972/kendrick-lamar-thinks-like-a-jazz-musician |access-date=May 9, 2022}}</ref>

Lamar's music has consistently garnered critical acclaim and commercial success—a rare combination in the [[music industry]]—as well as support from artists who have paved the way for his advancement, earning him the nickname "[[Honorific nicknames in popular music|King Kendrick]]".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kellman |first=Andy |title=Kendrick Lamar Biography, Songs, & Albums |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/kendrick-lamar-mn0002709646/biography |access-date=October 12, 2023 |website=AllMusic |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Unterberger |first=Andrew |date=April 2, 2015 |title=Kendrick Lamar Gets His Whole City Behind Him for 'King Kunta' Video |url=https://www.spin.com/2015/04/kendrick-lamar-king-kunta-video/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150407064300/https://www.spin.com/2015/04/kendrick-lamar-king-kunta-video/ |archive-date=April 7, 2015 |access-date=January 1, 2024 |website=Spin}}</ref> His Pulitzer Prize win was considered a sign of the American [[Elitism|cultural elite]] formally recognizing hip hop as a "legitimate artistic medium".<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kendrick Lamar becomes the first rapper to win the Pulitzer Prize |url=https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/kendrick-lamar-wins-the-pulitzer-prize |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200317195654/https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/kendrick-lamar-wins-the-pulitzer-prize |archive-date=March 17, 2020 |access-date=March 17, 2020 |website=History}}</ref> Senior artists such as [[Nas]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bustard |first=Andy |date=November 11, 2022 |title=Nas Recalls First Time Hearing Kendrick Lamar — Before He Blew Up |url=https://hiphopdx.com/news/nas-first-time-hearing-kendrick-lamar |access-date=October 12, 2023 |website=HipHopDX |language=en}}</ref> [[Bruce Springsteen]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Josephs |first=Brian |date=September 29, 2016 |title=Bruce Springsteen Is a Fan of Kanye West and Kendrick Lamar |url=https://www.spin.com/2016/09/bruce-springsteen-kanye-west-kendrick-lamar-fan/ |access-date=May 16, 2024 |website=Spin}}</ref> Eminem,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Shifferaw |first=Abel |date=February 10, 2022 |title=Eminem Calls Kendrick Lamar One of the 'Top Tier Lyricists' of All Time |url=https://www.complex.com/music/a/abel-shifferaw/eminem-calls-kendrick-lamar-one-of-the-top-tier-lyricists-of-all-time |access-date=October 12, 2023 |website=Complex |language=en-us}}</ref> [[Dr. Dre]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Galindo |first=Thomas |date=July 17, 2023 |title=Dr. Dre Praises Kendrick Lamar, Calls Him a "Forever Artist" |url=https://americansongwriter.com/dr-dre-praises-kendrick-lamar-calls-him-a-forever-artist/ |access-date=October 12, 2023 |website=American Songwriter |language=en-US}}</ref> Prince,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Denhum |first=Jess |date=September 4, 2015 |title=Prince has been secretly fanboying two of the world's hottest rappers |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/prince-reveals-he-secretly-fanboys-kendrick-lamar-and-kanye-west-10486916.html |access-date=October 12, 2023 |website=The Independent |language=en}}</ref> and [[Madonna]] have praised his musicianship.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Kaufman |first=Gil |date=August 11, 2022 |title=Madonna Tells Jimmy Fallon Her Dream Collab List Has Just One Name On It |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/madonna-tonight-show-dream-collaborator-kendrick-lamar-1235125307/ |access-date=October 12, 2023 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}}</ref> [[David Bowie]]'s final album, ''[[Blackstar (album)|Blackstar]]'' (2016), was inspired by ''To Pimp a Butterfly'', and its producer [[Tony Visconti]] praised Lamar as a "rulebreaker" in the music industry.<ref>{{cite magazine |author=Greene, Andy |date=November 23, 2015 |title=The Inside Story of David Bowie's Stunning New Album, 'Blackstar' |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/features/the-inside-story-of-david-bowies-stunning-new-album-blackstar-20151123 |url-status=live |magazine=Rolling Stone |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161222195642/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/features/the-inside-story-of-david-bowies-stunning-new-album-blackstar-20151123 |archive-date=December 22, 2016 |access-date=December 6, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Milton |first=Jamie |date=March 30, 2017 |title=Bowie producer says music needs more 'rule-breakers' like Frank Ocean and Kendrick Lamar - NME |language=en-US |work=NME |url=https://www.nme.com/news/bowie-producer-says-music-needs-rule-breakers-like-frank-ocean-kendrick-lamar-2030618 |url-status=live |access-date=September 28, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170929000523/http://www.nme.com/news/bowie-producer-says-music-needs-rule-breakers-like-frank-ocean-kendrick-lamar-2030618 |archive-date=September 29, 2017}}</ref> Pharrell Williams called him "one of the greatest writers of our times" and likened him to [[Bob Dylan]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=France |first=Lisa Respers |date=March 19, 2015 |title=9 things to know about Kendrick Lamar |url=https://www.cnn.com/2015/03/19/entertainment/kendrick-lamar-things-to-know-feat/index.html |access-date=October 12, 2023 |website=CNN |language=en}}</ref> Lamar has also been cited as a strong influence on the works of various modern artists,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ovended |first=Olivia |date=March 13, 2020 |title=Kendrick Lamar Headlining Glastonbury 2020 Is Supremely Good |url=https://www.esquire.com/uk/culture/a31465640/glastonbury-2020-kendrick-lamar/ |website=Esquire UK}}</ref> including [[BTS]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Johar |first=Aranya |date=December 14, 2020 |title=Understanding BTS' Foundation in Hip-Hop |url=https://rollingstoneindia.com/understanding-bts-foundation-in-hip-hop/ |access-date=October 12, 2023 |website=Rolling Stone India |language=en-US}}</ref> [[Dua Lipa]],<ref>{{cite web |last=Pithers |first=Ellie |date=December 21, 2016 |title=Vogue Meets Dua Lipa |url=https://www.vogue.co.uk/article/dua-lipa-interview-vogue |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200128113853/https://www.vogue.co.uk/article/dua-lipa-interview-vogue |archive-date=January 28, 2020 |access-date=January 19, 2020 |website=[[Vogue (magazine)|Vogue]]}}</ref> [[Tyler, the Creator]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Skelton |first=Eric |date=May 23, 2019 |title=Everything We Learned From Tyler, the Creator's First Performance of 'IGOR' |url=https://www.complex.com/music/a/eric-skelton/tyler-live-performance-igor-everything-we-learned |access-date=October 12, 2023 |website=Complex |language=en-us}}</ref> [[Roddy Ricch]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=Roddy Ricch Explains How Meeting Kendrick Lamar As A Teenager Inspired His Career |url=https://genius.com/a/roddy-ricch-explains-how-meeting-kendrick-lamar-as-a-teenager-inspired-his-career |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200113014341/https://genius.com/a/roddy-ricch-explains-how-meeting-kendrick-lamar-as-a-teenager-inspired-his-career |archive-date=January 13, 2020 |access-date=March 17, 2020 |website=Genius}}</ref> and [[Rosalía]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Peláez |first=Sara |date=February 2, 2017 |title=rosalía es la cantaora que nuestra generación necesitaba |url=https://i-d.vice.com/es/article/j5pmxx/rosalia-los-angeles-entrevista |access-date=October 12, 2023 |website=i-D |language=es}}</ref> [[Lorde]] regards him as "the most popular and influential artist in modern music."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Uitti |first=Jacob |date=May 27, 2022 |title=Lorde on Kendrick Lamar: He's "the Most Popular and Influential Artist in Modern Music" |url=https://americansongwriter.com/lorde-on-kendrick-lamar-hes-the-most-popular-and-influential-artist-in-modern-music/ |access-date=November 10, 2022 |website=American Songwriter |language=en-US}}</ref>

=== Public image ===
{{Further|Drake–Kendrick Lamar feud}}
Despite becoming a prominent figure in popular culture, publications have noted Lamar's unconventional approach to [[celebrity culture]].<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Odee |first1=Michelle |last2=Corrigan |first2=Graham |date=February 15, 2018 |title=14 Videos Every Kendrick Lamar Fan Should Watch |url=https://www.complex.com/pigeons-and-planes/a/michelleodee/videos-kendrick-fans-should-watch |access-date=October 10, 2023 |website=Complex |language=en-us}}</ref> He is notoriously reserved; he is reluctant to publicly discuss his personal life and generally avoids using [[social media]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Price |first=Joe |date=December 27, 2022 |title=Kendrick Lamar Explains Why He Avoids Social Media, Strives for 'Hood Beethoven' With Live Shows |url=https://www.complex.com/music/a/backwoodsaltar/kendrick-lamar-on-why-he-doesnt-use-social-media |access-date=October 10, 2023 |website=Complex |language=en-us}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Viera |first=Bené |date=October 27, 2020 |title=ESSENCE Fest Artist Kendrick Lamar's 11 Realest Quotes |url=http://www.essence.com/festival/2016-essence-festival/kendrick-lamars-11-realest-quotes-past-interviews/ |access-date=October 10, 2023 |website=Essence |language=en-US}}</ref> He is also decisive when engaging with [[mainstream media]] outlets, although journalists have complimented his "[[Zen]]-like" calmness and down to earth personality.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Weiss |first=Jeff |date=December 17, 2018 |title=Amid the accolades, Kendrick Lamar refuses to compromise his vision, keeping it homegrown |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/la-en-ms-kendrick-lamar-20181217-story.html |access-date=October 10, 2023 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Younger |first=Briana |date=October 11, 2022 |title=Kendrick Lamar's Life Lessons |url=https://www.wmagazine.com/culture/kendrick-lamar-interview-2022 |access-date=October 10, 2023 |website=W Magazine |language=en}}</ref> According to Lamar, he has become "so invested in who I am outside of being famous, sometimes that's all I know. I've always been a person that really didn't dive too headfirst into wanting and needing attention. I mean, we all love attention, but for me, I don't necessarily adore it."<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Mier |first=Tomás |date=August 23, 2022 |title='I Just Remove Myself:' Kendrick Lamar on Dealing with Fame and Staying Off Social Media |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/kendrick-lamar-on-dealing-with-fame-1234580217/ |access-date=October 10, 2023 |magazine=Rolling Stone |language=en-US}}</ref> His lyrics have been a topic of media scrutiny, leading to both praise and controversy.<ref name="NPR 2015" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Kornhaber |first=Spencer |date=May 18, 2022 |title=The Impossible Ambition of Kendrick Lamar's New Album |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/culture/archive/2022/05/kendrick-lamar-mr-morale-and-the-big-steppers-album-review/629879/ |website=[[The Atlantic (magazine)|The Atlantic]] |language=en-us}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Aswad |first=Jem |date=May 13, 2022 |title=Kendrick Lamar's 'Auntie Diaries' Is a Powerful, Genre-Shifting Statement on Transphobia |url=https://variety.com/2022/music/news/kendrick-lamar-auntie-diaries-trans-rights-transphobia-1235266310/ |access-date=May 17, 2022 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref> Lamar's public perception has also been influenced by the various [[Feud|feuds]] he has been involved with.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lavin |first=Will |date=February 17, 2020 |title=Big Sean finally addresses whether he actually had beef with Kendrick Lamar |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/big-sean-addresses-kendrick-lamar-beef-2610669 |access-date=November 24, 2023 |website=NME |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Miller |first=Matt |date=April 23, 2020 |title=French Montana's Claim He Has More Hits Than Kendrick Lamar Sparked the Funniest Hip-Hop Feud in Years |url=https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/music/a32250630/french-montana-kendrick-lamar-young-thug-feud-hits-explained/ |access-date=November 24, 2023 |website=Esquire |language=en-US}}</ref> Although journalists unanimously declared him the winner of his [[Drake–Kendrick Lamar feud|highly publicized conflict]] with Drake,<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Gee |first=Andre |date=May 6, 2024 |title=The Results Are In: Kendrick Lamar Won the Great Rap War |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/kendrick-lamar-drake-beef-who-won-1235014499/ |access-date=May 13, 2024 |magazine=Rolling Stone |language=en-US}}</ref> some felt that his victory was [[Pyrrhic victory|pyrrhic]] due to the severity of accusations introduced and the spread of [[Misinformation#Online misinformation|online misinformation]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pierre |first=Alphonse |date=May 6, 2024 |title=Drake and Kendrick's Beef Is the Most Miserable Spectacle in Rap History |url=https://pitchfork.com/thepitch/drake-and-kendricks-beef-is-the-most-miserable-spectacle-in-rap-history/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240510075101/https://pitchfork.com/thepitch/drake-and-kendricks-beef-is-the-most-miserable-spectacle-in-rap-history/ |archive-date=May 10, 2024 |access-date=May 13, 2024 |website=Pitchfork |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Davenport |first=Khal |date=April 6, 2017 |title=A Timeline of Kendrick Lamar and Drake's Complicated Relationship |url=https://www.complex.com/music/a/khal/kendrick-lamar-drake-relationship-timeline |access-date=November 24, 2023 |website=Complex |language=en-us}}</ref>

Following the release of ''Good Kid, M.A.A.D City'', media outlets have described Lamar as the "modern hip hop [[messiah]]".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kang |first=Jay Caspian |date=March 24, 2015 |title=Notes on the Hip-Hop Messiah |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/24/magazine/notes-on-the-hip-hop-messiah.html |access-date=October 10, 2023 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Some critics dislike his "grating" political infusions,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kornhaber |first=Spencer |date=March 17, 2015 |title=Kendrick Lamar's 'To Pimp a Butterfly' Is Noisy, Complicated, and Brilliant |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2015/03/kendrick-lamars-bittersweet-cacophony-to-pimp-a-butterfly/387949/ |access-date=October 10, 2023 |website=The Atlantic |language=en}}</ref> causing him to be viewed as having a [[savior complex]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Weiss |first=Jeff |date=September 25, 2014 |title=The King & "i": Hip-Hop's Savior Complex & Kendrick Lamar's New Single |url=https://www.passionweiss.com/2014/09/25/kendrick-lamar-i-2/ |access-date=October 10, 2023 |website=Passion of the Weiss |language=en-US}}</ref> He uses his music to critique and deconstruct his attributed perception; on ''Section.80'', he raps, "I'm not the next pop star, I'm not the next socially aware rapper / I am a human motherfucking being over dope-ass instrumentation."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Robinson |first=Collin |date=January 5, 2016 |title=Kendrick Lamar And Mainstream Rap's Growing Conscience |url=https://www.stereogum.com/1850795/kendrick-lamar-and-mainstream-raps-growing-conscience/columns/sounding-board/ |access-date=October 10, 2023 |website=Stereogum |language=en}}</ref> However, Lamar has declared himself to be the "greatest rapper alive" due to his personal connection to hip hop.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Roth |first=Madeline |date=August 18, 2017 |title=Why Kendrick Lamar May Be The Greatest Rapper Alive In 2017 |url=https://www.mtv.com/news/f7ucdd/kendrick-lamar-greatest-rapper-2017 |access-date=October 10, 2023 |website=MTV |language=en}}</ref> "I'm not doing it to have a good song, or one good rap, or a good [[Hook (music)|hook]], or a good [[Bridge (music)|bridge]]," he explained to [[Zane Lowe]]. "I want to keep doing it every time, period. And to do it every time, you have to challenge yourself and you have to confirm to yourself—not anybody else, confirm to yourself that you're the best, period. [...] That's my drive and that's my hunger, I will always have."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cea |first=Max |date=April 22, 2017 |title=Kendrick Lamar has all the answers |url=https://www.salon.com/2017/04/21/kendrick-lamar-has-all-the-answers/ |access-date=October 10, 2023 |website=Salon |language=en}}</ref>

=== Entrepreneurship ===
Lamar has been described as an "authentic" businessman who takes "calculated steps to establish his brand from the ground-up" and leaves nothing to chance.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Roche |first=Donovan |date=November 8, 2018 |title=Next-Level Marketing Lessons From Kendrick Lamar |url=https://www.entrepreneur.com/starting-a-business/next-level-marketing-lessons-from-kendrick-lamar/322514 |access-date=October 11, 2023 |website=Entrepreneur |language=en}}</ref> He approaches traditional album rollouts with an unorthodox method, using creative [[Easter egg (media)|Easter eggs]] and leaving cryptic messages.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rose |first=Jordan |date=June 2, 2022 |title=Grading Rap's Recent Major Album Rollouts |url=https://www.complex.com/music/a/j-rose/grading-recent-rap-album-rollouts |access-date=October 11, 2023 |website=Complex |language=en-us}}</ref> Before releasing a studio album, Lamar shares a [[Promotional recording|promotional single]] taken from "The Heart", a [[timestamp]] song series designed to "observe the beating pulse behind his music."<ref name=
"Malone">{{Cite web |last=Malone |first=Anthony |date=May 14, 2022 |title=A Definitive Ranking Of Kendrick Lamar's 'The Heart' Series |url=https://hiphopdx.com/editorials/id.4752/title.a-definitive-ranking-of-kendrick-lamars-the-heart-series |access-date=October 11, 2023 |website=HipHopDX |language=en}}</ref> The vulnerable themes explored on the non-album singles have strengthened his relationship with his "inquisitive" [[Fandom|fanbase]] known as Kenfolk.<ref name="Malone" /><ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Penrose |first=Nerisha |date=December 5, 2017 |title=4 Wildest Fan Theories About Kendrick Lamar's 'DAMN.' Album |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/kendrick-lamar-damn-conspiracy-theories-8061639/ |access-date=October 11, 2023 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}}</ref> His real estate portfolio includes properties in [[Brooklyn]],<ref>{{Cite news |last=Marino |first=Vivian |date=December 1, 2023 |title=Kendrick Lamar Buys a Penthouse on the Brooklyn Waterfront |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/01/realestate/kendrick-lamar-brooklyn-penthouse.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20231214233247/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/01/realestate/kendrick-lamar-brooklyn-penthouse.html |archive-date=December 14, 2023 |access-date=February 8, 2024 |work=The New York Times |issn=1553-8095}}</ref> [[Bel Air, Los Angeles|Bel Air]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Duncan |first=Michelle |date=December 15, 2022 |title=Kendrick Lamar Buys 1950s Home in Bel Air for $16 Million |url=https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/kendrick-lamar-buys-1950s-home-bel-air |access-date=February 8, 2024 |website=Architectural Digest |language=en-US}}</ref> and [[Manhattan Beach, California|Manhattan Beach]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Price |first=Joe |date=September 19, 2019 |title=Kendrick Lamar Spends $9.7 Million on New Home in Manhattan Beach, California |url=https://www.complex.com/music/a/backwoodsaltar/kendrick-manhattan-beach-home |access-date=February 8, 2024 |website=Complex |language=en-us}}</ref>

In 2011, Lamar crafted an original song with record producer [[Nosaj Thing]] to promote [[Microsoft]]'s [[Windows Phone]] in 2011.<ref>{{cite web |author=Kuperstein, Slava |date=October 4, 2011 |title=Kendrick Lamar "Cloud 10 [Prod. Nosaj Thing]" |url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/singles/id.16996/title.kendrick-lamar-cloud-10-prod-nosaj-thing |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111207231814/http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/singles/id.16996/title.kendrick-lamar-cloud-10-prod-nosaj-thing |archive-date=December 7, 2011 |access-date=March 15, 2013 |work=HipHopDX}}</ref> He starred alongside DJ [[Calvin Harris]] and singer [[Ellie Goulding]] in a marketing campaign for [[Bacardi]] in 2014.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Joseph |first=Seb |date=November 13, 2014 |title=Bacardi mixes Kendrick Lamar and Calvin Harris to win back young males |url=https://www.marketingweek.com/bacardi-mixes-kendrick-lamar-and-calvin-harris-to-win-back-young-males/ |access-date=October 11, 2023 |website=Marketing Week |language=en}}</ref> As a minority shareholder of TDE, Lamar was set to serve as the executive producer for the label's film division.<ref name="Billboard17" /> He partnered with [[American Express]] on [[advertising campaign]]s for [[Art Basel]] and [[Small Business Saturday]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fresh |first=Mikey |date=November 28, 2016 |title=Kendrick Lamar Teams Up With American Express For Art Basel 2016 |url=https://www.vibe.com/music/music-news/kendrick-lamar-teams-up-with-american-express-for-art-basel-2016-469909/ |access-date=October 11, 2023 |website=VIBE |language=en-US}}</ref> and is an [[angel investor]] of the music creation platform EngineEars.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Rouhani |first=Neena |date=May 5, 2021 |title=MixedByAli's EngineEars Announces Star-Studded Investors: Kendrick Lamar, DJ Khaled & More |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/mixedbyali-engine-ears-investors-exclusive-9567193/ |access-date=October 19, 2023 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}}</ref>

Lamar has also partnered with several fashion designers and outlets. As a [[brand ambassador]], he was involved with designing sneakers for [[Reebok]] and [[Nike, Inc.|Nike]].<ref>{{cite web |author=Marissa G. Muller |date=December 10, 2014 |title=Kendrick Lamar Is Reebok's New Brand Ambassador |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/2022213/kendrick-lamar-reebok-ambassador/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141230153611/http://www.mtv.com/news/2022213/kendrick-lamar-reebok-ambassador/ |archive-date=December 30, 2014 |access-date=December 18, 2014 |publisher=MTV}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |last=Gray |first=Yasmine |date=August 29, 2017 |title=It's Official: Kendrick Lamar Switches from Reebok to Nike |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/lifestyle/7948957/kendrick-lamar-leaves-reebok-for-nike-report |url-status=live |magazine=Billboard |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190510062243/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/lifestyle/7948957/kendrick-lamar-leaves-reebok-for-nike-report |archive-date=May 10, 2019 |access-date=March 5, 2020}}</ref> He has developed working relationships with [[Grace Wales Bonner]] and [[Martine Rose]]; through their respective eponymous brands, they have dressed Lamar for several public events.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rodgers |first=Daniel |date=November 14, 2023 |title="We Understand Each Other": Martine Rose On Her Surprise Collaboration With Kendrick Lamar |url=https://www.vogue.co.uk/article/martine-rose-kendrick-lamar-baby-keem-the-hillbillies |access-date=December 16, 2023 |website=British Vogue |language=en-GB}}</ref> For her Autumn/Winter 2023 collection, Twilight Reverie, Lamar worked with Bonner to create the show's soundtrack with [[Sampha]] and [[Duval Timothy]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chilvers |first=Simon |date=August 22, 2023 |title=Grace Wales Bonner on James Baldwin, Paris and bringing an 'Afro-Atlantic spirit' to luxury |url=https://www.ft.com/content/531bc772-76dd-411c-8ea4-e66a85e4de7d |access-date=December 16, 2023 |website=Financial Times}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Ferrier |first=Morwenna |date=January 18, 2023 |title=Grace Wales Bonner pays homage to black icons in Paris show |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/fashion/2023/jan/18/grace-wales-bonner-pays-homage-black-icons-paris-show |access-date=December 16, 2023 |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> Through PGLang, he composed the score and co-designed the stage for [[Chanel]]'s Spring/Summer 2024 [[haute couture]] collection.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cardini |first=Tiziana |date=January 23, 2024 |title=Chanel "From the Outside In"—Kendrick Lamar and Dave Free Discuss Their Collaboration With French House |url=https://www.vogue.com/article/chanel-kendrick-lamar-dave-free-interview-spring-2024-couture |access-date=February 8, 2024 |website=Vogue |language=en-US}}</ref>

=== Advocacy and philanthropy ===
A supporter of the Black Lives Matter movement, Lamar is a vocal advocate for [[racial equality]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Coscarelli |first=Joe |date=December 29, 2015 |title=Kendrick Lamar on the Grammys, Black Lives Matter and His Big 2015 |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/03/arts/music/kendrick-lamar-on-a-year-of-knowing-what-matters.html |access-date=July 19, 2023 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> He supported [[Frank Ocean]] when he [[Coming out|came out]] via an [[open letter]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Horowitz |first=Steven |date=August 13, 2012 |title=Kendrick Lamar Explains Why He Signed To Aftermath & Interscope |url=https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.20777/title.kendrick-lamar-explains-why-he-signed-to-aftermath-interscope |access-date=July 19, 2023 |website=HipHopDX |language=en}}</ref> After questioning the importance of [[voting]], Lamar endorsed [[Barack Obama]]'s [[Barack Obama 2012 presidential campaign|presidential re-election campaign]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Gray |first=Jazmine |date=August 27, 2012 |title=Kendrick Lamar Says No To Voting |work=Vibe |url=https://www.vibe.com/2012/08/kendrick-lamar-says-no-voting/ |url-status=live |access-date=September 22, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170822054301/https://www.vibe.com/2012/08/kendrick-lamar-says-no-voting/ |archive-date=August 22, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Aqua Blanco |first=Alvin |date=November 4, 2012 |title=Kendrick Lamar Will Be Voting For Barack Obama, Says Mitt Romney Doesn't Have A "Good Heart" |url=http://hiphopwired.com/193041/kendrick-lamar-will-be-voting-for-barack-obama-says-mitt-romney-doesnt-have-a-good-heart-video/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170822054402/http://hiphopwired.com/193041/kendrick-lamar-will-be-voting-for-barack-obama-says-mitt-romney-doesnt-have-a-good-heart-video/ |archive-date=August 22, 2017 |access-date=August 22, 2017 |website=Hip-Hop Wired |language=en-US}}</ref> He had a "humanizing" meeting with Obama in 2015, which was documented in a [[public service announcement]] in support of [[MENTOR|MENTOR: The National Mentoring Partnership]] and [[My Brother's Keeper Challenge]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Helman |first=Peter |date=January 11, 2016 |title=Watch Kendrick Lamar Meet President Obama In Mentorship PSA |url=https://www.stereogum.com/1852563/watch-kendrick-lamar-meet-president-obama-in-mentorship-psa/news/ |access-date=July 19, 2023 |website=Sterogum}}</ref> Lamar is also an advocate for [[mental health]] awareness,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tayag |first=Yasmin |date=August 31, 2015 |title=Kendrick Lamar Is Leading the Way for Kids with Mental Illness |url=https://www.inverse.com/article/5771-kendrick-lamar-mental-illness-awareness |access-date=November 23, 2023 |website=Inverse |language=en}}</ref> and has used his music to promote [[self-love]] and other mental health initiatives.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Roth |first=Madeline |date=October 17, 2016 |title=Here's How Kendrick Lamar's Music Is Being Used To Raise Mental Health Awareness |url=https://www.mtv.com/news/06p459/kendrick-lamar-kasier-ad-mental-health-awareness |access-date=November 23, 2023 |website=MTV |language=en}}</ref> He strongly dislikes [[Donald Trump]] and persistent conversations regarding him, believing it to be like "[[Flogging a dead horse|beating a dead horse]]".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Neblett |first=Touré |author-link=Touré (journalist) |date=October 16, 2017 |title=an in-depth conversation with kendrick lamar |url=https://i-d.vice.com/en/article/j5gwk7/an-in-depth-conversation-with-kendrick-lamar |access-date=July 19, 2023 |website=I-D |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Lynch |first=John |date=August 9, 2017 |title=Why Kendrick Lamar says speaking out against Trump is like 'beating a dead horse' |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/kendrick-lamar-making-protest-music-against-trump-like-beating-a-dead-horse-2017-8 |access-date=July 19, 2023 |website=Business Insider |language=en-US}}</ref> He was critical of the [[Supreme Court of the United States|U.S. Supreme Court]]'s [[Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization|landmark decision]] to overturn ''[[Roe v. Wade]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Qureshi |first=Arusa |date=June 26, 2023 |title=Kendrick Lamar closes Glastonbury with "godspeed for women's rights" chant |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/kendrick-lamar-closes-glastonbury-with-godspeed-for-womens-rights-chant-3256516 |access-date=October 12, 2022 |website=NME |language=en-GB}}</ref>

Lamar has headlined [[Benefit concert|charity concerts]] benefitting local and international [[Nonprofit organization|non-profit organizations]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Weiss |first=Jeff |date=November 18, 2011 |title=Kendrick Lamar to play charity concert for Downtown Women's Center |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/blogs/pop-hiss/story/2011-11-18/kendrick-lamar-to-play-charity-concert-for-downtown-womens-center |access-date=July 19, 2023 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Bruner |first=Raisa |date=September 15, 2017 |title=What It's Like Inside Rihanna Power Player-Filled Diamond Ball |url=https://time.com/4940425/rihanna-diamond-ball-report/ |magazine=Time |language=en |access-date=July 19, 2023}}</ref> He donated to the [[American Red Cross]] in November 2012 to support victims of [[Hurricane Sandy]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Selby |first=Daniele |date=September 20, 2016 |title=Activism & Charity: The Many Ways Kendrick Lamar Gives Back |url=https://www.globalcitizen.org/en/content/kendrick-lamar-global-citizen-festival-2016/ |access-date=July 19, 2023 |website=Global Citizen |language=en}}</ref> In December 2013, Lamar donated $50,000 to his alma mater, Centennial High School, in support of its music department.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jones |first=Tracy |date=May 16, 2017 |title=Kendrick Lamar and Dr. Dre's High School Has One of Best Music Programs in the Country |url=https://www.laweekly.com/kendrick-lamar-and-dr-dres-high-school-has-one-of-best-music-programs-in-the-country/ |access-date=July 19, 2023 |website=LA Weekly |language=en-US}}</ref> He embarked on a small concert tour in 2014, and donated all of the revenue to [[Habitat for Humanity]] and his hometown.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Barnes |first=Tom |date=June 4, 2014 |title=The $524,000 Reason Kendrick Lamar is the Most Humble Man in Hip-Hop |url=https://www.mic.com/articles/90411/the-524-000-reason-kendrick-lamar-is-the-most-humble-man-in-hip-hop |access-date=July 19, 2023 |website=Mic |language=en}}</ref> In July 2017, Lamar purchased a wheelchair-accessible van for a [[Tetraplegia|quadriplegic]] fan.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Kaufman |first=Gil |date=July 18, 2017 |title=Kendrick Lamar Changes Fan's Life With Wheelchair-Accessible Van |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/kendrick-lamar-fan-wheelchair-accessible-van-7872858/ |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US |access-date=July 19, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Moore |first=Sam |date=July 18, 2017 |title=Watch Kendrick Lamar surprise a disabled fan with promise to buy her a new wheelchair van |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/kendrick-lamar-surprises-disabled-fan-wheelchair-van-promise-2112849 |access-date=July 19, 2023 |website=NME |language=en-GB}}</ref> He has regularly performed at TDE's annual holiday [[toy drive]] at [[Nickerson Gardens]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ju |first=Shirley |date=December 18, 2019 |title=Kendrick Lamar, Tyga, Swae Lee Bring Love and Vibes to TDE's Holiday Benefit Concert |url=https://variety.com/2019/music/news/kendrick-lamar-tde-holiday-benefit-concert-1203448532/ |access-date=July 19, 2023 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Espinoza |first=Joshua |date=December 19, 2019 |title=Travis Scott and Kendrick Lamar Perform at TDE's 5th Annual Holiday Toy Drive |url=https://www.complex.com/music/a/cmplxjoshua-espinoza/travis-scott-kendrick-lamar-perform-tde-2018-holiday-concert-toy-drive |access-date=July 19, 2023 |website=Complex |language=en-us}}</ref> and organizes his own toy drive in Compton.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Goddard |first=Kevin |date=December 26, 2019 |title=Kendrick Lamar Spent Christmas Holiday At Toy Drive In Compton |url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/275086-kendrick-lamar-spent-christmas-holiday-at-toy-drive-in-compton-news |access-date=July 19, 2023 |website=Hot New Hip Hop |language=en}}</ref> In June 2020, he joined a [[peace walk]] to protest against the murders of [[George Floyd]] and [[Breonna Taylor]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Graves |first=Wren |date=June 8, 2020 |title=Kendrick Lamar marches in Compton Peace Walk supporting Black Lives Matter |url=https://consequence.net/2020/06/kendrick-lamar-compton-peace-walk-black-lives-matter/ |access-date=July 19, 2023 |website=Consequence |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Cowen |first=Trace William |date=June 8, 2020 |title=Kendrick Lamar, DeMar DeRozan, and Russell Westbrook Join Compton Peace Walk |url=https://www.complex.com/music/a/tracewilliamcowen/kendrick-lamar-demar-derozan-russell-westbrook-join-compton-peace-walk |access-date=July 19, 2023 |website=Complex |language=en-us}}</ref>

==Achievements==
{{Further|List of awards and nominations received by Kendrick Lamar}}
[[File:Kendrick Lamar Obama Janelle Monáe 2016.jpg|thumb|right|Lamar (left) at the 2016 [[White House]] [[Independence Day (United States)|Independence Day]] celebration with President [[Barack Obama]] (center) and singer [[Janelle Monáe]] (right)]] Throughout his career, Lamar has won 17 [[Grammy Awards]] ([[Grammy Award milestones#Most Grammys won by a rapper|the third-most by a rapper in history]]),<ref>{{Cite web |last=Halperin |first=Shirley |date=January 29, 2018 |title=Grammys 2018: Bruno Mars, Kendrick Lamar Win Big; Jay-Z Shut Out |url=https://variety.com/2018/music/news/grammys-2018-bruno-mars-kendrick-lamar-win-jay-z-shut-out-1202679720/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180228110352/https://variety.com/2018/music/news/grammys-2018-bruno-mars-kendrick-lamar-win-jay-z-shut-out-1202679720/ |archive-date=February 28, 2018 |access-date=May 7, 2023 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=March 15, 2021 |title=Kanye West, JAY-Z, Kendrick Lamar + More: 10 Rappers With The Most Grammy Wins |url=https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.61094/title.kanye-west-jay-z-kendrick-lamar-more-10-rappers-with-the-most-grammy-wins |access-date=March 25, 2021 |website=HipHopDX}}</ref> a [[Primetime Emmy Awards|Primetime Emmy Award]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gonzalez |first=Alex |date=September 4, 2022 |title=Super Bowl LVI Halftime Performance Wins Three Emmys |url=https://uproxx.com/music/dr-dre-snoop-dogg-eminem-50-cent-mary-j-blige-kendrick-lamar-emmys/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221011073410/http://uproxx.com/music/dr-dre-snoop-dogg-eminem-50-cent-mary-j-blige-kendrick-lamar-emmys/ |archive-date=October 11, 2022 |access-date=May 7, 2023 |website=Uproxx |language=en-US}}</ref> four [[American Music Awards]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Peacock |first=Tim |date=November 21, 2022 |title=Taylor Swift, Kendrick Lamar, Machine Gun Kelly Among Winners At 2022 AMAs |url=https://www.udiscovermusic.com/news/taylor-swift-kendrick-lamar-winners-2022-amas/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221128060235/https://www.udiscovermusic.com/news/taylor-swift-kendrick-lamar-winners-2022-amas/ |archive-date=November 28, 2022 |access-date=May 7, 2023 |website=uDiscover Music |language=en-US}}</ref> 29 [[BET Hip Hop Awards]] (the most won by any artist),<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Grein |first=Paul |date=2022-10-05 |title=Kendrick Lamar Tops 2022 BET Hip Hop Awards: Full Winners List |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/awards/2022-bet-hip-hop-awards-full-winners-list-kendrick-lamar-1235150410/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221210053213/https://www.billboard.com/music/awards/2022-bet-hip-hop-awards-full-winners-list-kendrick-lamar-1235150410/ |archive-date=2022-12-10 |access-date=2023-05-07 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}}</ref> 11 [[MTV Video Music Awards]] (including two [[MTV Video Music Award for Video of the Year|Video of the Year]] wins),<ref>{{Cite news |last=Lee |first=Benjamin |date=August 28, 2017 |title=MTV VMAs: Kendrick Lamar wins big in politically charged ceremony |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2017/aug/28/mtv-vmas-kendrick-lamar-wins-big-in-politically-charged-ceremony |url-status=live |access-date=May 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171110162217/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2017/aug/28/mtv-vmas-kendrick-lamar-wins-big-in-politically-charged-ceremony |archive-date=November 10, 2017 |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> 6 [[Billboard Music Awards|''Billboard'' Music Awards]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=McIntyre |first=Hugh |date=May 20, 2018 |title=Billboard Music Awards 2018: Kendrick Lamar And Ed Sheeran Come Out On Top |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/hughmcintyre/2018/05/20/billboard-music-awards-2018-kendrick-lamar-leads-the-early-pack-of-winners/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180711084745/https://www.forbes.com/sites/hughmcintyre/2018/05/20/billboard-music-awards-2018-kendrick-lamar-leads-the-early-pack-of-winners/ |archive-date=July 11, 2018 |access-date=May 7, 2023 |website=Forbes |language=en}}</ref> and a [[Brit Awards|Brit Award]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Yeung |first=Vivian |date=February 21, 2018 |title=Brits 2018: Kendrick Lamar wins International Male Solo Artist |url=https://crackmagazine.net/2018/02/kendrick-lamar-wins-international-male-solo-artist-2018-brit-awards/ |access-date=May 7, 2023 |website=Crack}}</ref> As a songwriter, he has received nominations for an [[Academy Awards|Academy Award]] and a [[Golden Globe Awards|Golden Globe Award]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Young |first=Alex |date=January 22, 2019 |title=Kendrick Lamar receives Oscar nomination for Best Original Song |url=https://consequence.net/2019/01/kendrick-lamar-oscar-nomination/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220810212917/https://consequence.net/2019/01/kendrick-lamar-oscar-nomination/ |archive-date=August 10, 2022 |access-date=May 7, 2023 |website=Consequence |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Landrum Jr. |first=Jonathan |date=December 6, 2018 |title=Kendrick Lamar, Cooper and Lady Gaga earn Golden Globe nods |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/kendrick-lamar-cooper-and-lady-gaga-earn-golden-globe-nods/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181207133641/https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/kendrick-lamar-cooper-and-lady-gaga-earn-golden-globe-nods/ |archive-date=December 7, 2018 |access-date=May 7, 2023 |website=The Seattle Times |language=en-US}}</ref> At the [[58th Annual Grammy Awards]], Lamar received the [[Grammy Award milestones#Most nominations in one night|most Grammy nominations by a rapper in one night]], with 11.<ref>{{cite web |last=Kennedy |first=Gerrick D. |date=December 7, 2015 |title=Grammy Awards 2016: Kendrick Lamar made history with an unapologetically black album |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/music/posts/la-et-ms-grammys-2016-kendrick-lamar-grammy-history-20151206-story.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151207164523/http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/music/posts/la-et-ms-grammys-2016-kendrick-lamar-grammy-history-20151206-story.html |archive-date=December 7, 2015 |access-date=December 8, 2015 |work=Los Angeles Times}}</ref><ref name="grammys16noms" /> During the [[65th Annual Grammy Awards|65th ceremony]], he became the first artist from any genre to be nominated for [[Grammy Award for Album of the Year|Album of the Year]] with four consecutive lead studio albums since [[Billy Joel]] (1979–1983).<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Grein |first=Paul |date=2022-11-15 |title=Beyoncé Ties All-Time Grammy Nominations Record, Plus Other Highlights of 2023 Grammy Nods |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/awards/beyonce-2023-grammy-nominations-analysis-1235171262/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230313003239/https://www.billboard.com/music/awards/beyonce-2023-grammy-nominations-analysis-1235171262/ |archive-date=2023-03-13 |access-date=2023-05-07 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}}</ref>

Lamar has appeared in various power listings. In 2015, he was featured on ''[[Ebony (magazine)|Ebony]]''<nowiki/>'s Power 100 list that honors leaders within the African American community.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Polanco |first=Luis |date=December 2, 2015 |title=Janelle Monae, Kendrick Lamar, Prince & More Feature In Ebony Power 100 |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/janelle-monae-kendrick-lamar-prince-ebony-power-100-6784834/ |access-date=November 26, 2023 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}}</ref> ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' included him on its annual list of the [[Time 100|100 most influential people in the world]] in 2016.<ref name="time 100">{{cite magazine |last=Garza |first=Alicia |author-link=Alicia Garza |date=April 21, 2016 |title=Time 100: Kendrick Lamar |url=http://time.com/4301242/kendrick-lamar-2016-time-100/ |url-status=live |magazine=Time |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160424093701/http://time.com/4301242/kendrick-lamar-2016-time-100/ |archive-date=April 24, 2016 |access-date=April 21, 2016}}</ref> He has appeared on ''[[Forbes]]''<nowiki/>' [[Forbes Celebrity 100|Celebrity 100]] ranking (2019),<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Kaufman |first=Gil |date=2019-07-10 |title=Taylor Swift Tops Forbes' Highest-Paid Celebrity 100 List in 2019 With $185 Million; BTS Earn First Ranking |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/taylor-swift-tops-forbes-highest-paid-celebrity-100-list-2019-bts-8519360/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211119211715/https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/taylor-swift-tops-forbes-highest-paid-celebrity-100-list-2019-bts-8519360/ |archive-date=2021-11-19 |access-date=2023-05-07 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}}</ref> and its [[Forbes 30 Under 30|30 Under 30]] list twice in the music category (2014 and 2018).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Greenburg |first=Zack O'Malley |date=January 6, 2014 |title=30 Under 30: Bruno Mars And Music's Brightest Young Stars |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/zackomalleygreenburg/2014/01/06/30-under-30-bruno-mars-and-musics-brightest-young-stars/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140317054251/https://www.forbes.com/sites/zackomalleygreenburg/2014/01/06/30-under-30-bruno-mars-and-musics-brightest-young-stars/ |archive-date=March 17, 2014 |access-date=May 7, 2023 |website=Forbes |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Greenburg |first=Zack O'Malley |title=Kendrick Lamar, Conscious Capitalist: The 30 Under 30 Cover Interview |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/zackomalleygreenburg/2017/11/14/kendrick-lamar-conscious-capitalist-the-30-under-30-cover-interview/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200919193032/https://www.forbes.com/sites/zackomalleygreenburg/2017/11/14/kendrick-lamar-conscious-capitalist-the-30-under-30-cover-interview/#5438d1653979 |archive-date=2020-09-19 |access-date=2023-05-07 |website=Forbes |language=en}}</ref> Lamar was included twice in ''Billboard''{{'}}s lists of the greatest rappers of all time (2015 and 2023).<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/photos/6723017/the-10-best-rappers-of-all-time/1 |title=The 10 Best Rappers of All Time |magazine=Billboard |date=November 12, 2015 |access-date=February 14, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160212134520/http://www.billboard.com/photos/6723017/the-10-best-rappers-of-all-time/1 |archive-date=February 12, 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |last= |first= |date=2023-02-08 |title=50 Greatest Rappers of All Time |url=https://www.billboard.com/lists/best-rappers-all-time/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230331033823/http://billboard.com/lists/best-rappers-all-time/ |archive-date=2023-03-31 |access-date=2023-05-07 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}}</ref> ''Complex'' named him the best rapper alive twice (2013 and 2017),<ref>{{Cite web |last=Charity |first=Justin |date=December 20, 2013 |title=It's the End of 2013 and Kendrick Lamar Is The Best Rapper Alive |url=https://www.complex.com/pigeons-and-planes/2013/12/kendrick-lamar-best-rapper-alive |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210619150455/https://www.complex.com/pigeons-and-planes/2013/12/kendrick-lamar-best-rapper-alive |archive-date=June 19, 2021 |access-date=May 7, 2023 |website=Complex |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=February 1, 2018 |title=The Best Rapper Alive, Every Year Since 1979 |url=https://www.complex.com/music/the-best-rapper-alive-every-year-since-1979 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180203161718/http://www.complex.com/music/the-best-rapper-alive-every-year-since-1979 |archive-date=February 3, 2018 |access-date=May 7, 2023 |website=Complex |language=en}}</ref> and included him in their list of the 20 best rappers in their 20s thrice (2013, 2015, and 2016).<ref>''Complex''{{'}}s "The 20 Best Rappers in Their 20s":

*2013: {{cite web |author= |date=June 4, 2013 |title=The 20 Best Rappers in Their 20s (Right Now) |url=http://www.complex.com/music/2013/06/best-rappers-in-their-20s/kendrick-lamar |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160204121249/http://www.complex.com/music/2013/06/best-rappers-in-their-20s/kendrick-lamar |archive-date=February 4, 2016 |access-date=January 6, 2016 |publisher=Complex Media}}
*2015:{{cite web |author= |date=August 7, 2015 |title=The 20 Best Rappers in Their 20s (Right Now) |url=http://www.complex.com/music/2015/08/20-best-rappers-in-their-20s/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150807205052/http://www.complex.com/music/2015/08/20-best-rappers-in-their-20s/ |archive-date=August 7, 2015 |access-date=August 8, 2015 |publisher=Complex Media}}
*2016: {{cite web |author= |date=October 11, 2016 |title=The 20 Best Rappers in Their 20s (Right Now) |url=http://www.complex.com/music/2016/09/20-best-rappers-in-their-20s-2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160909003417/http://www.complex.com/music/2016/09/20-best-rappers-in-their-20s-2016 |archive-date=September 9, 2016 |access-date=September 7, 2016 |work=Complex}}</ref> In May 2015, Lamar was declared a [[Popular culture|generational icon]] by the [[California State Senate]] for his contributions to music and philanthropy.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Grow |first1=Kory |date=May 12, 2015 |title=Kendrick Lamar Named 'Generational Icon' by California Senate |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/videos/kendrick-lamar-named-generational-icon-by-california-senate-20150512 |url-status=live |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150513212027/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/videos/kendrick-lamar-named-generational-icon-by-california-senate-20150512 |archive-date=May 13, 2015 |access-date=May 12, 2015}}</ref> He was a [[grand marshal]] for the Compton Christmas Parade,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Montes |first=Patrick |date=2015-12-13 |title=Kendrick Lamar Serves as Grand Marshal of the Compton Christmas Parade |url=https://hypebeast.com/2018/12/kendrick-lamar-serves-as-grand-marshal-of-the-compton-christmas-parade |access-date=2023-05-07 |website=Hypebeast}}</ref> and was presented with the [[List of Keys to the City in the United States|key to the city]] of his hometown for representing its evolution.<ref name=":6" /> He served as [[Compton College]]'s surprise [[Commencement speech|commencement speaker]] on June 7, 2024.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Kreps |first1=Daniel |date=June 8, 2024 |title=See Kendrick Lamar Give Surprise Commencement Speech at Compton College |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/kendrick-lamar-surprise-commencement-speech-compton-college-1235036057/ |access-date=June 8, 2024 |magazine=Rolling Stone}}</ref>

''Good Kid, M.A.A.D City'', ''To Pimp a Butterfly'', and ''Damn'' were featured in ''Rolling Stone''{{'}}s industry-voted ranking of the [[Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time|500 greatest albums of all time]] and the 200 greatest hip hop albums of all time.<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=September 22, 2020 |title=The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/best-albums-of-all-time-1062063/ |url-status=live |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230506185029/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/best-albums-of-all-time-1062063/ |archive-date=May 6, 2023 |access-date=September 22, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |last= |first= |date=2022-06-07 |title=The 200 Greatest Hip-Hop Albums of All Time |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/best-hip-hop-albums-1323916/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230420193843/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/best-hip-hop-albums-1323916/ |archive-date=2023-04-20 |access-date=2023-05-07 |magazine=Rolling Stone |language=en-US}}</ref> ''Good Kid, M.A.A.D City'' was additionally featured in the magazine's list of the 100 best debut albums of all time, and was named the greatest concept album ever.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/the-100-greatest-debut-albums-of-all-time-20130322/good-kid-m-a-a-d-city-19691231 |title=The 100 Best Debut Albums of All Time |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=March 22, 2013 |access-date=January 10, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160123182423/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/the-100-greatest-debut-albums-of-all-time-20130322/good-kid-m-a-a-d-city-19691231 |archive-date=January 23, 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |last= |first= |date=2022-10-12 |title=The 50 Greatest Concept Albums of All Time |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/best-concept-albums-1234604040/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230326032805/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/best-concept-albums-1234604040/ |archive-date=2023-03-26 |access-date=2023-05-07 |magazine=Rolling Stone |language=en-US}}</ref> It was named the seventh greatest album of all time by [[Apple Music]] in 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Landrum Jr. |first=Jonathan |date=May 22, 2024 |title=Lauryn Hill's classic ''Miseducation'' album tops Apple Music's list of best albums of all time |url=https://apnews.com/article/lauryn-hill-apple-music-best-albums-cc143b9c93a8ec5dd451b8a990b12564 |access-date=June 9, 2024 |publisher=[[Associated Press]] |language=en}}</ref> ''To Pimp a Butterfly'' was ranked by several publications as one of the greatest albums of the 2010s decade,<ref name="decade">Decade-end critics' lists:
*{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/features/best-albums-decade-2010s-frank-ocean-adele-taylor-swift-kanye-west-ranked-a9204121.html|work=The Independent|title=The 50 best albums of the decade, from Frank Ocean's 'Blond' to Adele's '21'|access-date=March 18, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191221103130/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/features/best-albums-decade-2010s-frank-ocean-adele-taylor-swift-kanye-west-ranked-a9204121.html|archive-date=December 21, 2019|url-status=live}}
*{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/best-albums-2010s-ranked-913997/kendrick-lamar-to-pimp-a-butterfly-album-917421/|magazine=Rolling Stone|title=The 100 Best Albums of the 2010s|date=December 3, 2019|access-date=March 18, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200420014432/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/best-albums-2010s-ranked-913997/kendrick-lamar-to-pimp-a-butterfly-album-917421/|archive-date=April 20, 2020|url-status=live}}
*{{cite web|url=https://consequence.net/2019/12/top-albums-of-the-2010s/full-post/|work=Consequence of Sound|title=Top 100 Albums of the 2010s|date=December 30, 2019|access-date=March 18, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200318053714/https://consequence.net/2019/12/top-albums-of-the-2010s/full-post/|archive-date=March 18, 2020|url-status=live}}
*{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/features/lists-and-guides/the-200-best-albums-of-the-2010s/|work=Pitchfork|title=The 200 Best Albums of the 2010s|access-date=March 18, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181214065629/https://pitchfork.com/features/lists-and-guides/the-50-best-albums-of-2018/?page=5|archive-date=December 14, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> while "Alright" was deemed the greatest hip hop song of the streaming era by [[Spotify]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ruff |first=Rivera |date=May 20, 2024 |title=Spotify CLASSICS: Check Out The 100 Greatest Hip-Hop Songs Of The Streaming Era |url=https://www.essence.com/entertainment/spotify-classics-100-greatest-hip-hop-songs-streaming-era/ |access-date=June 9, 2024 |website=Essence |language=en-US}}</ref> As of February 2023, it is the top ranked album on the online encyclopedia [[Rate Your Music]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Krol |first=Charlotte |date=February 2, 2023 |title=Kendrick Lamar's ''To Pimp A Butterfly'' overtakes Radiohead's ''OK Computer'' as top rated album on Rate Your Music |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/kendrick-lamars-to-pimp-a-butterfly-overtakes-radioheads-ok-computer-as-top-rated-album-on-rate-your-music-3391372 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240408084434/https://www.nme.com/news/music/kendrick-lamars-to-pimp-a-butterfly-overtakes-radioheads-ok-computer-as-top-rated-album-on-rate-your-music-3391372 |archive-date=April 8, 2024 |access-date=April 25, 2024 |website=NME}}</ref> ''Damn'' is the recipient of the 2018 [[Pulitzer Prize for Music]], the first time a musical work outside of the classical and jazz genres was honored.<ref>{{cite news |last=Fekadu |first=Mesfin |date=April 16, 2018 |title=Commercial and critical darling Kendrick Lamar wins Pulitzer |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/music/commercial-and-critical-darling-kendrick-lamar-wins-pulitzer/2018/04/16/eecd0ca2-41aa-11e8-b2dc-b0a403e4720a_story.html |url-status=dead |access-date=April 16, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180417172941/https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/music/commercial-and-critical-darling-kendrick-lamar-wins-pulitzer/2018/04/16/eecd0ca2-41aa-11e8-b2dc-b0a403e4720a_story.html |archive-date=April 17, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Beard|first1=David|title=Inviting someone new to the Pulitzer party|url=http://www.poynter.org/news/inviting-someone-new-pulitzer-party|access-date=June 12, 2018|work=Poynter|date=May 31, 2018}}</ref> Its [[The Damn Tour|tour companion]], along with [[The Big Steppers Tour|Big Steppers Tour]] (2022–2024), are two of the highest-grossing hip hop tours of all time.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Richards |first=Will |date=May 1, 2023 |title=Kendrick Lamar's 'Big Steppers Tour' is now the highest-grossing rap tour of all time |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/kendrick-lamars-big-steppers-tour-is-now-the-highest-grossing-rap-tour-of-all-time-3437754 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230503152822/https://www.nme.com/news/music/kendrick-lamars-big-steppers-tour-is-now-the-highest-grossing-rap-tour-of-all-time-3437754 |archive-date=May 3, 2023 |access-date=May 7, 2023 |website=NME |language=en-GB}}</ref>

==Discography==
{{Main|Kendrick Lamar discography|List of songs recorded by Kendrick Lamar|Black Hippy discography}}

'''Studio albums'''
* ''[[Section.80]]'' (2011) 
* ''[[Good Kid, M.A.A.D City]]'' (2012)
* ''[[To Pimp a Butterfly]]'' (2015)
* ''[[Damn (Kendrick Lamar album)|Damn]]'' (2017)
* ''[[Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers]]'' (2022)

==Filmography==
{{Main|Kendrick Lamar videography}}
* ''[[Lennon or McCartney]]'' (2014)
* ''[[Quincy (film)|Quincy]]'' (2018)
* [[Power (TV series)|Power]] (2018)
* ''[[Kendrick Lamar Live: The Big Steppers Tour]]'' (2022)
* ''[[Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé]]'' (2023)
* ''[[Piece by Piece (2024 film)|Piece by Piece]]'' (2024)

==Tours==
{{Main|List of Kendrick Lamar live performances}}

'''Headlining'''
* Good Kid, M.A.A.D City World Tour (2013)
* Kunta's Groove Sessions (2015)
* [[The Damn Tour]] (2017–2018)
* [[The Big Steppers Tour]] (2022–2024)

'''Co-headlining'''
* [[The Championship Tour]] {{small|(with [[Top Dawg Entertainment]] artists)}} (2018)

==See also==
* [[List of American Grammy Award winners and nominees]]
* [[List of artists who reached number one in the United States]]
* [[List of artists who reached number one on the U.S. Rhythmic chart]]
* [[List of black Golden Globe Award winners and nominees]]
* [[Music of California]]
{{clear}}

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{reflist|colwidth=20em}}

=== Cited literature ===
{{refbegin|colwidth=30em|indent=yes}}
* {{Cite journal|last=Thomas|first=Michael|date=October 3, 2019|title=Singing experience in Section.80: Kendrick Lamar's Poetics of Problems|url=https://www.academia.edu/49434088|journal=Kendrick Lamar and the Making of Black Meaning|pages=51–66|doi=10.4324/9781351010856-5|isbn=9781351010856|s2cid=210567234}}
* {{Cite journal|last=Mattessich|first=John J.|date=March 1, 2019|title=This Flow Ain't Free: Generative Elements in Kendrick Lamar's To Pimp a Butterfly|url=https://mtosmt.org/issues/mto.19.25.1/mto.19.25.1.mattessich.php|journal=Music Theory Online|language=en|volume=25|issue=1|pages=1–12|doi=10.30535/mto.25.1.11|s2cid=198512779|doi-access=free}}
* {{Cite journal|last1=Wadsworth|first1=Benjamin K.|last2=Needle|first2=Simon|date=2022|title=Rhyme, Metrical Tension, and Formal Ambiguity in Kendrick Lamar's Flow|url=https://www.esm.rochester.edu/integral/35-2022/wadsworth-and-needle/|journal=Intégral: The Journal of Applied Musical Thought|language=en-US|volume=35|pages=69–94}}
* {{Cite journal |last1=Sloan|first1=Nate|last2=Harding|first2=Charlie|last3=Gottlieb|first3=Iris|date=September 19, 2019|title=Drunk on Rhythm: Syncopation: Kendrick Lamar—"Swimming Pools (Drank)"|url=https://academic.oup.com/book/32340/chapter-abstract/268585529?redirectedFrom=fulltext|journal=Switched on Pop: How Popular Music Works, and Why It Matters|pages=87–C9.F1 |via=[[Oxford Academic]]}}
{{refend}}

==External links==
{{Sister project links |d=Q130798 |commons=y |q=y |wikt=no |n=no |s=no |v=no |voy=no |b=no |species=no}}
* {{official website}}
* {{AllMusic}}
* {{Discogs artist}}
* {{IMDb name}}
* {{MusicBrainz artist}}

{{Kendrick Lamar|state=expanded}}
{{Kendrick Lamar songs}}
{{Navboxes
|title = [[List of awards and nominations received by Kendrick Lamar|Awards for Kendrick Lamar]]
|list =
{{BET Award for Album of the Year}}
{{BET Award for Best Collaboration}}
{{BET Award for Best Male Hip-Hop Artist}}
{{BET Award for Best New Artist}}
{{BET Award for Video of the Year}}
{{Billboard Year-End number one albums 2010-2029}}
{{Brit International Male}}
{{ConsequenceOfSoundArtistBand}}
{{Grammy Award for Best Music Video}}
{{Grammy Award for Best Rap Album}}
{{Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance}}
{{Grammy Award for Best Melodic Rap Performance}}
{{Grammy Award for Best Rap Song}}
{{Hollywood Music in Media Award for Best Original Song in a Sci-Fi, Fantasy or Horror Film}}
{{MTV Video Music Award for Best Collaboration}}
{{MTV Video Music Award for Video of the Year}}
{{NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Duo or Group}}
{{NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Song}}
{{PulitzerPrize Music}}
{{WSA for Best Original Song Written Directly for a Film}}
}}

{{Portal bar|Biography|California|Music|United States}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Lamar, Kendrick}}
[[Category:Kendrick Lamar| ]]
[[Category:1987 births]]
[[Category:21st-century African-American male singers]]
[[Category:21st-century American rappers]]
[[Category:21st-century American singer-songwriters]]
[[Category:21st-century American philanthropists]]
[[Category:21st-century African-American businesspeople]]
[[Category:Alternative hip hop musicians]]
[[Category:American Christians]]
[[Category:American jazz musicians]]
[[Category:American music video directors]]
[[Category:American hip hop record producers]]
[[Category:American hip hop singers]]
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[[Category:African-American investors]]
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[[Category:African-American male rappers]]
[[Category:African-American male singer-songwriters]]
[[Category:American male singer-songwriters]]
[[Category:African-American record producers]]
[[Category:Aftermath Entertainment artists]]
[[Category:Black Hippy members]]
[[Category:Brit Award winners]]
[[Category:Centennial High School (Compton, California) alumni]]
[[Category:Christians from California]]
[[Category:Converts to Christianity]]
[[Category:Creative directors]]
[[Category:Def Jam Recordings artists]]
[[Category:Film directors from California]]
[[Category:Film producers from California]]
[[Category:Gangsta rappers]]
[[Category:Grammy Award winners for rap music]]
[[Category:Hype men]]
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[[Category:Jazz musicians from California]]
[[Category:Juno Award for International Album of the Year winners]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:MTV Europe Music Award winners]]
[[Category:MTV Video Music Award winners]]
[[Category:Musicians from Compton, California]]
[[Category:PGLang artists]]
[[Category:Philanthropists from California]]
[[Category:Progressive rap musicians]]
[[Category:Primetime Emmy Award winners]]
[[Category:Pulitzer Prize for Music winners]]
[[Category:Rappers from California]]
[[Category:Record producers from California]]
[[Category:Singer-songwriters from California]]
[[Category:Top Dawg Entertainment artists]]
[[Category:Universal Music Group artists]]
[[Category:West Coast hip hop musicians]]