Rapper, Songwriter, Record Producer
Brief info
Kendrick Lamar Duckworth (born June 17, 1987) is an American rapper, songwriter and record producer. Since his mainstream debut in 2012 with Good Kid, M.A.A.D City, Lamar has been regarded as one of the most influential rappers of his generation and is regarded as one of the greatest rappers of all time.
Aside from his solo career, he is also known as a member of the hip hop supergroup Black Hippy alongside his Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE) label-mates Ab-Soul, Jay Rock, and Schoolboy Q.
Raised in Compton, California, Lamar embarked on his musical career as a teenager under the stage name K.Dot, releasing a mixtape that garnered local attention and led to his signing with indie record label Top Dawg Entertainment. He began to gain recognition in 2010 after his first retail release, Overly Dedicated. The following year, he independently released his first studio album, Section.80, which included his first single "HiiiPoWeR". By that time, he had amassed a large online following and collaborated with several prominent hip hop artists.
Following their success, Kendrick Lamar and Black Hippy announced their signing to Dr. Dre's Aftermath Entertainment and Interscope Records in 2012.