Anyone who’s a fan of Kendrick Lamar’s music and has spent extensive time with his catalog — from Section .80 to DAMN. — knows his past was riddled with violence.
Growing up in Compton, California, it was just a daily part of his life. In a new interview with Vanity Fair, K. Dot opens up about his upbringing and reveals the moment he realized he was destined for another path. When asked about a line on good kid, m.A.A.d city that implies he put a bullet in someone as a teenager, he admits to participating in the madness.
“I’ll put it this way: I’ve seen my own blood shed, and I’ve been the cause of other people shedding their blood as well,” he said. “There was a split second when I felt what my homeboys were feeling—like I don’t give a fuck anymore — and that’s when I knew something else had to happen.”
From there, Lamar became a devout Christian and was baptized twice — once at 16 and again in his 20s.
With all of Lamar’s success and accolades (he recently won the 2018 BET Award for Best Male Hip Hop Artist), he moves differently these days but maintains his integrity. Although he relocated from Compton to the picturesque shores of Malibu, he’s able to juggle fame and a strong work ethic because of those challenging early years.
“You can get put in an environment that can bring down your integrity and your fight,” he said. “What gives me an advantage in my upbringing is the duality of seeing one of the most beautiful moments of me being 6 years old, to the most tragic moment of being 13 or 14, and make that connection so the person [listening] can really see the conflict.
“It was a mindfuck, for sure. I would wake up one morning, and it would be cartoons and cereal and walking back from school. And at 4 p.m., we’d be having a house party ‘til 11 p.m. … and people [were] shooting each other outside the door. That was my lifestyle. And it’s not only mine; it’s so many other individuals. And I wanted to tell that story.”
Elsewhere in the interview, he describes Pharrell Williams as “the Bob Dylan, the Miles Davis of our time” and briefly touches on Kanye West’s “slavery is a choice” comment.
“He has his own perspective, and he’s on this whole agree to disagree thing, and I would have this conversation with him personally if I want to.” [apple_news_ad type=”any”]
Oh no Kendrick maf and violent, let me lift a barbell so I’m beefed up enough to handel the 12 yr old frame of MTV’s favorite thug lyfe rep
lil dudes like kendrick might have a natural disadvantage when it comes to having to throw up hands, but that dont mean theyre not capable of violence (not that thats anything to brag about), especially with weapons. not condoning it, I feel this younger generation is too quick to pick up a gun or knife instead of talking it out or even settling things with their bare hands.
True short mans syndrome aka below 6’0 more feistier and go from chill to fuck the world in seconds I’ve seen it many times
I’m 5’7, slightly taller then Kendrick and i’ll put the hands of God on you. Don’t get it twisted, you just haven’t eaten a fist from a real one yet. Keep talkin, it’ll come Mr Softee. Praises to Kdot for providing balance to consumers who THINK its beneficial to be negative for no reason.
u all talk pussyboi
Lol u sound like an absolute clown
He has never ruffled a feather in his life give me a break. This guy sounds like a lesbian when he raps.
Kendrick need to go make some good music instead of addressing trivial shit like this. Leave that pop shit alone, let’s hear some real hip hop…..
fuck you talking about? Thats all he makes, real hip hop
Kendrick Lamar is official. He grew up in Westside Piru. My cousin is from WSP and went to Centennial High with Kdot.
He told me Kendrick never got jump in but backed up the homies from WSP to the fullest. Thats why in his songs he be throwing up Piru and Westside Bompton.
You’re full of shit.