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Kendrick Lamar accepts the Record of the Year award for "Not Like Us" onstage during the 67th ... More Annual GRAMMY Awards at Arena.
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Long before his name was associated with one of the most infamous rap squabbles of all time, Kendrick Lamar had created a niche for himself as one of hip-hop’s most forward-thinking, conscious rappers. Because of that level of genius, his albums have become artifacts, specifically for Black culture. He began releasing mixtapes while still in high school, including Youngest Head N***a in Charge (Hub City Threat: Minor of the Year), which introduced him as a precocious voice from the West Coast. By 2005, he had signed with Top Dawg Entertainment, the label that would nurture his ascent into hip-hop royalty. Over the next few years, he dropped a string of increasingly polished mixtapes—Training Day (2005), No Sleep 'Til NYC (2007, with Jay Rock), and C4 (2009), a tribute to Lil Wayne’s Tha Carter III.
Kendrick Lamar performs onstage during Apple Music Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show at Caesars ... More Superdome.
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Shedding the moniker in favor of his birth name, Lamar released his self-titled EP in 2009, signaling a creative shift. His breakthrough moment came with 2010’s Overly Dedicated, which cracked the Billboard charts and introduced a wider audience to the future Pulitzer winner. Since then, Lamar has released six studio albums, one compilation, five mixtapes, a soundtrack and an EP. In the United States alone, he has achieved five number-one albums on the Billboard 200 and racked up over 71 million album sale units worldwide, according to the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). As one of hip-hop’s most prolific lyricists, Lamar’s discography is a blueprint of creative evolution, introspection and resistance. Since emerging from the streets of Compton, Lamar has contributed to the rap conversation with each release by honing his craft, studying the greats and effortlessly tackling subjects like race, faith, trauma and America’s long-standing tensions with Black identity.
Kendrick Lamar’s Discography
Lamar is a Pulitzer Prize-winning rapper, songwriter and producer from Compton, California. He began his musical journey as a teenager under the moniker , releasing his first mixtape at 16. His music is primarily inspired by West Coast rap, jazz, funk and soul with razor-sharp social commentary, storytelling and personal reflections. Known for concept-driven projects and a refusal to compromise his vision, Lamar has been praised for his witty lyricism, thematic depth and willingness to challenge the status quo. He has won 17 Grammy Awards and made history with his 2017 album DAMN., which earned him a Pulitzer Prize for Music, a first for a hip-hop artist. Despite his widespread success, Lamar hasn’t been immune to controversy. His layered verses sometimes attract criticism and debate, from critiques of mainstream hip-hop to religious allusions and social justice themes that unsettle listeners. Still, he represents a breath of fresh air in the hip-hop genre.
Kendrick Lamar performs during the Coachella Valley Music And Arts Festival in Indio, California.
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