Kendrick Lamar#Discography

Kendrick Lamar Duckworth was born on June 17, 1987, in Compton, California.{{Cite web |date=2024-12-13 |title=Kendrick Lamar {{!}} Songs, Albums, Not Like Us, & Discography {{!}} Britannica |url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Kendrick-Lamar#:~:text=Kendrick%20Lamar%20(born%20June%2017,%201987,%20Compton,%20California,%20U.S.) |access-date=2024-12-15 |website=www.britannica.com |language=en}} He is the first child of former gang hustler Kenneth "Kenny" Duckworth and hairdresser Paula Oliver. Both of his parents are African Americans from the South Side of Chicago. When they were teenagers, they relocated to Compton in 1984, due to his father's affiliation with the Gangster Disciples.{{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 |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}} Lamar was named after singer-songwriter Eddie Kendricks of the Temptations.{{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}} He was an only child until the age of seven and was described as a loner by his mother.{{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}}{{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/http://spin.com/2012/10/kendrick-lamar-not-your-average-everyday-rap-savior/ |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |access-date=April 27, 2023 |website=Spin}} Eventually, his parents had his two younger brothers and younger sister, businesswoman Kayla Sawyer (née Duckworth).{{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}} His cousins include basketball player Nick Young and rapper Baby Keem.{{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 }}{{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}}

Lamar and his family lived in Section 8 housing, were reliant on welfare and food stamps, and experienced homelessness.{{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}}{{sfn|Thomas|2019|p=51–66}} Although he is not a member of a particular gang, he grew up with close affiliates of the Westside Pirus. 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 parties.{{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 }} He was raised secular, although he occasionally attended church services and was taught the Bible by his grandmother.{{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/http://buzzfeed.com/reggieugwu/the-radical-christianity-of-kendrick-lamar |archive-date=April 8, 2016 |access-date=September 25, 2023 |website=BuzzFeed |language=en}} He felt "spiritually unsatisfied" as a child due to the "empty" and "one-sided" nature of the sermons.{{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/http://djbooth.net/features/2017-04-28-kendrick-lamar-god-response |archive-date=February 17, 2018}}

After hearing a recording of his voice for the first time, Lamar became interested in rapping.{{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 }} He was introduced to police brutality after experiencing the first day of the 1992 Los Angeles riots. When he was five years old, Lamar 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. "It done 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."{{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}} His parents nicknamed him "Man-Man" due to his 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."{{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/http://rollingstone.com/music/music-features/kendrick-lamar-the-rolling-stone-interview-199817/ |archive-date=July 16, 2018 |access-date=April 27, 2023}}

In school, Lamar was a quiet and observant student who excelled academically and had a noticeable stutter.{{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}} 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".{{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 }} As a seventh grade student at Vanguard Learning Center, Lamar was introduced to poetry by his English teacher, Regis Inge.{{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}} Inge integrated the literary form into his curriculum as a response to the growing racial tensions amongst his students. 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." Instead of completing assignments for other classes, Lamar would scribe lyrics in his notebooks. His initial writing was entirely profane, but it helped him manage his psychological trauma and depression, which he struggled with during his adolescence.{{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 }} Inge played a vital role in his intellectual growth, often criticizing his lexicon and suggesting prompts to strengthen his prose.

Lamar later attended Centennial High School.{{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 }} He was enrolled in summer school during the tenth grade, which he dreaded because it forced him to be embroiled in a gang war. Despite his efforts to avoid them, Lamar soon became heavily involved with Compton's hedonistic gang culture, which led to numerous health scares and encounters with the police. He distanced himself from the lifestyle following an intervention staged by his father. When he was 16, Lamar was baptized and converted to Christianity following the death of a friend.{{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}}{{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}} He graduated from high school in 2005 as a straight-A student.{{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}}{{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}} He considered studying psychology and astronomy in college, but suspended his academic pursuits to focus on his music career.{{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 }}

File:Centennial High School Compton Calif.jpg]]

During high school, Lamar adopted the stage name K.Dot and began freestyling and battle rapping at school.{{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}} His performances caught the attention of fellow student Dave Free, who traveled from Inglewood to watch him rap. They quickly formed a friendship over their love of hip-hop and the television sitcom Martin. They recorded music together at Free's makeshift garage studio and at his older brother's Hyde Park apartment. Lamar's earliest performances were held at a "super hood" comedy club and behind a tattoo parlor. Free was his hype man during that time, while his older brother was his manager and disc jockey. Lamar recorded five mixtapes throughout the 2000s; his first, Youngest Head Nigga in Charge (Hub City Threat: Minor of the Year), was released on April 15, 2003, through Konkrete Jungle Musik.{{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}} The mixtapes primarily consisted of freestyles over the production of popular hip-hop songs.

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 "clumsy" lyricism and that his flow was "overly beholden to ... Jay-Z and Lil Wayne". Free, who was working as a computer technician, introduced the mixtape to record producer Anthony "Top Dawg" Tiffith while attempting to repair his computer.{{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 }} 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). During his audition, Lamar freestyled for Tiffith and record executive Terrence "Punch" Henderson for two hours, a strategy that impressed Henderson but bewildered Tiffith.{{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/http://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}} He was offered a recording contract by TDE in 2005, joining Jay Rock as the label's first signings. Upon signing, he purchased a minority stake in the label for an undisclosed amount.

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.{{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 }} The bond he formed with him, Ab-Soul and Schoolboy Q led to the formation of the hip-hop supergroup, Black Hippy.{{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}} Lamar released his second mixtape, Training Day, on December 30, 2005. Reeves complemented its varied production and "well-executed" concept, which was based on the 2001 film. In 2006, Lamar signed an artist development deal with Def Jam Recordings and was featured on two singles by 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.{{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/http://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}} 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."{{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}}{{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}} Lamar and Jay Rock released a collaborative mixtape, title No Sleep 'til NYC, on December 24, 2007. Reeves thought the project was a "fun cypher session, nothing more, nothing less."

Lamar's third mixtape C4, released on January 30, 2009, is a tribute project to Lil Wayne's Tha Carter III (2008) and was supported by his co-sign.{{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}} Reeves felt that the mixtape was a "wrongheaded homage to a year-old, well-worn album." From February to July, he toured with the Game on his LAX Tour as a hype man for Jay Rock.{{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}}{{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}} Lamar disliked how his stage name diverted attention away from his true identity, and decided to retire it.{{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}} He opted to use his first and middle names professionally and regards the name change as part of his career growth.{{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 }} For his eponymous debut extended play (2009),{{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}} Lamar eschewed the creative process of his mixtapes in favor of a project heavily focused on his songwriting over "lovely yet doleful" production. Reeves described the EP as the "first standout project" of his career, praising its melancholic tone. He felt that the project restored his reputation following the sting of criticism he received over C4.

File:KendrickLive.jpg in 2011, prior to the release of Section.80|left]]

After striking a music publishing deal with Warner/Chappell Music,{{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 |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}} Lamar released his fourth mixtape, Overly Dedicated, on September 14, 2010. It was his first project to be purchased through digital retailers.{{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/http://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}} Reeves described Overly Dedicated as a partial "victory lap" that marked a shift in his songwriting. The mixtape peaked at number 72 on Billboard{{'}}s Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.{{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 }} 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.{{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/http://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}} 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.{{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/http://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}} He also considered signing him to his record label, Aftermath Entertainment, and was encouraged to by artists such as J. Cole.{{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 }}{{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 }}

Lamar entered a brief relationship with Nitty Scott,{{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/http://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}}{{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}} and was featured on XXL{{'}}s 2011 Freshman Class list.{{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=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221202030036/http://mtv.com/news/r02jyh/xxl-magazine-freshmen |archive-date=December 2, 2022 |access-date=August 4, 2023 |website=MTV |language=en}} He released his debut studio album, Section.80, on July 2, 2011,{{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 }} which was supported by its lead single "HiiiPower".{{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 }} The album explored conscious and alternative hip-hop styles and experimented with "stripped-down" jazz production.{{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/http://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 }}{{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 |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 }} Ogden Payne of Forbes considers it to be "the genesis to [Lamar] successfully balancing social commentary with mass appeal."{{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}} Section.80 marked Lamar's first appearance on the 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.{{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}} To promote the album, Lamar performed at small venues and college campuses across the U.S.{{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/http://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}}{{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/http://complex.com/music/a/insanul-ahmed/interview-kendrick-lamar |archive-date=August 19, 2023 |access-date=June 4, 2023 |website=Complex |language=en}} He was dubbed the "New King of the West Coast" by Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre and the Game during a performance in West Los Angeles.{{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 }}{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4T8aWtAsQHs |title=Dream Urban Presents : Kendrick Lamar Experience (Snoop Dogg Passes Torch) |via=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 }} 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, and Drake's Take Care.{{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=dead |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}}

File:Kendrick Lamar Pitchfork 2012.jpg in 2012]]

Lamar began planning his second album before Section.80 was released.{{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/http://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}} From February to April 2012, he opened for Drake on his Club Paradise Tour.{{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=dead |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}} He began working with J. Cole on a collaborative album around that time.{{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}}{{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 }} On February 14, Lamar would release the song "Cartoon & Cereal" for digital download, a track that features Gunplay.{{Cite web |date=2015-07-06 |title=Inside Kendrick Lamar's Unreleased Classic, "Cartoons & Cereal" |url=https://djbooth.net/features/2015-07-06-kendrick-lamar-cartoons-cereal/ |access-date=2025-03-26 |website=DJBooth |language=en-US}} On March 8, The Fader reported that Lamar had signed a joint venture recording contract with Aftermath Entertainment and Interscope Records; under the deal, TDE continued to serve as his primary label.{{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=dead }} His first commercial single, "The Recipe" featuring Dr. Dre, premiered on rhythmic crossover radio on April 2.{{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 }}

Good Kid, M.A.A.D City, Lamar's second album and first under a major record label, was released on October 22, 2012.{{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 }}{{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}} He 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.{{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}} Its lead single, "Swimming Pools (Drank)",{{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}} marked Lamar's first top 20 single on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100.{{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}} Its other singles, "Backseat Freestyle", "Poetic Justice", and "Bitch, Don't Kill My Vibe", enjoyed moderate commercial success.{{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}}{{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 }} Good Kid, M.A.A.D City was met with widespread critical acclaim, who lauded Lamar's nonlinear songwriting and thematic scope. Greg Kot of the Chicago Tribune applauded him for giving gangsta 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."{{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 }} The album debuted at number two on the Billboard 200 with 242,000 copies sold;{{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}} the highest first-week album sales of the year by a male rapper.{{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=https://www.bet.com/article/abhkc5/kendrick-lamar-s-good-kid-m-a-a-d-city-debuts-at-no-2 |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=}} Good Kid, M.A.A.D City surpassed The Eminem Show (2002) to become the longest-charting hip-hop studio album on the Billboard 200.{{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 }} In October 2022, it became the first hip-hop studio album to spend over ten consecutive years on the chart.{{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}}

From September to October 2012, Lamar headlined the BET Music Matters Tour with Black Hippy and Stalley.{{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 }} He won Lyricist of the Year at the BET Hip Hop Awards,{{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=dead }} and was featured on ASAP Rocky's single "Fuckin' Problems" alongside Drake and 2 Chainz, which reached the top 10 in the U.S.{{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/http://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}} Lamar embarked on two headlining concert tours in 2013: a national college tour with Steve Aoki and his first international tour.{{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/http://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}}{{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}} He struggled with depression, survivor's guilt and suicidal ideation during promotional events upon learning of the deaths of three close friends.{{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/http://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}} From October to December 2013, Lamar opened for Kanye West on his Yeezus Tour, despite disapproval from his label and management team.{{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 }}{{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}} He was baptized for a second time during the beginning of the tour, and experienced a nervous breakdown near the end.{{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}}{{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/http://theguardian.com/music/2015/jun/21/kendrick-lamar-interview-to-pimp-a-butterfly-trayvon-martin |archive-date=June 22, 2015 |issn=0029-7712}} Lamar won three awards each during the BET Awards and BET Hip Hop Awards,{{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=dead |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}}{{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}} including Best New Artist at the former.{{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}}{{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/http://complex.com/pigeons-and-planes/2013/07/kendrick-lamar-brings-out-erykah-badu-at-the-2013-bet-awards |archive-date=June 19, 2021}}

Lamar was featured on six songs throughout the year: "YOLO" by the Lonely Island featuring Adam Levine,{{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=dead |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}} the remix of "How Many Drinks?" by Miguel,{{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 }} "Collard Greens" by Schoolboy Q,{{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/ }} "Control" with Big Sean and Jay Electronica,{{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/http://npr.org/sections/therecord/2013/08/21/214145432/the-blast-radius-of-kendrick-lamars-control-verse |archive-date=June 20, 2015 |website=NPR}} "Give It 2 U" by Robin Thicke featuring 2 Chainz,{{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/http://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}} and "Love Game" by Eminem.{{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}} His performance on "Control" was described as a "wake up call" for the hip-hop industry and commenced his decade-long feud with Drake.{{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}} Rolling Stone noted that his verse made the track one of the most important hip-hop songs of the last decade.{{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/http://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}} Lamar was named Rapper of the Year by GQ during their annual Men of the Year edition.{{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] 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}} 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".{{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 }}{{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}}

After his opening stint for the Yeezus Tour ended, Lamar began work on his third album. He earned seven nominations at the 56th Annual Grammy Awards (January 2014), including Best New Artist, Best Rap Album, and Album of the Year for Good Kid, M.A.A.D City.{{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 }} He was winless at the ceremony, which several media outlets felt was a snub.{{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 }}{{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/http://vulture.com/article/the-greatest-grammys-snubs-of-all-time.html |archive-date=January 21, 2020 |access-date=July 31, 2023}} 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.{{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=Stereogum |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}} The incident was the subject of widespread media attention, controversy and Internet memes.{{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}} During the awards ceremony, Lamar performed a mashup of "M.A.A.D City" and "Radioactive" with rock band Imagine Dragons, which was met with critical acclaim.{{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 }}{{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}}

Lamar opened for Eminem on the Rapture Tour from February to July 2014.{{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}}{{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}} 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.{{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}} He released "I" as the lead single to his third album, To Pimp a Butterfly, on September 23, which won Best Rap Performance and Best Rap Song at the 57th Annual Grammy Awards.{{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 }}{{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}} His performance of "I" during his appearance as a musical guest on Saturday Night Live was lauded by contemporary critics.{{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}} Lamar was featured on three songs in 2014: "It's On Again" by Alicia Keys,{{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}} "Babylon" by SZA,{{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 }} and "Never Catch Me" by Flying Lotus.{{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/http://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}} He won Lyricist of the Year for the second consecutive time at the BET Hip Hop Awards.{{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/http://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}}

File:Kendrick 2015.jpg before the 57th Annual Grammy Awards (2015), where he won Best Rap Performance and Best Rap Song for "I"]]

Originally scheduled to arrive at a later date, To Pimp a Butterfly was released on March 15, 2015.{{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 }} The album incorporated various genres synonymous with African American music, such as jazz, funk, and soul.{{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}} To capture its essence, Lamar recruited producers such as Sounwave, Pharrell Williams, Terrace Martin, and Thundercat.{{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}} Whitney Alford, Lamar's fianceé, contributed background vocals on select tracks.{{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/http://djbooth.net/features/2015-03-18-kendrick-lamar-to-pimp-a-butterfly-album-credits |archive-date=February 22, 2018}} Other singles from the album were "The Blacker the Berry",{{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}} "King Kunta",{{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=}} "Alright", and "These Walls"–all of which enjoyed moderate commercial success.{{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=}} Selling 324,000 copies in its first week, To Pimp a Butterfly became Lamar's first number-one album on the Billboard 200 and the UK Albums Chart.{{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}}{{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 }} 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."{{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 }} Pitchfork opined that the album "forced critics to think deeply about music."{{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/http://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}}

He earned his first number-one single in the U.S. through the remix of singer-songwriter Taylor Swift's "Bad Blood".{{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 }}{{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}} It won Video of the Year and Best Collaboration at the MTV Video Music Awards, while the music video for "Alright" won Best Direction.{{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 }} Lamar later re-recorded his featured appearance on the "Bad Blood" remix in support of Swift's counteraction to her masters dispute.{{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 }}{{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 }} He opened the BET Awards with a controversial performance of "Alright" and won Best Male Hip Hop Artist.{{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}} He also won three awards at the BET Hip Hop Awards.{{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}} 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.{{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/http://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}} For his work on the album and other collaborations throughout the year, Lamar earned 11 nominations at the 58th Annual Grammy Awards, the most by a rapper in a single night.{{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 }} 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 Best Rap/Sung Performance, and "Bad Blood" won Best Music Video.{{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 }}

During the ceremony, Lamar performed a critically acclaimed medley of "The Blacker the Berry", "Alright", and an untitled song.{{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 }} He previously performed untitled songs on The Colbert Report (December 2014) and The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon (January 2016).{{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}}{{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}} 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.{{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/http://billboard.com/music/music-news/kendrick-lamar-surprise-untitled-unmastered-album-6898193/ |archive-date=May 19, 2022 |access-date=March 3, 2016 |magazine=Billboard}} 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 styles.{{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 }} Untitled Unmastered received critical acclaim and debuted atop the Billboard 200 with 178,000 album-equivalent units, becoming Lamar's second consecutive number-one project.{{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}} Throughout the year, he was featured on four commercially successful songs: Beyoncé's "Freedom",{{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}} Maroon 5's "Don't Wanna Know",{{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/http://billboard.com/music/pop/maroon-5-dont-wanna-know-kendrick-lamar-new-7540939/ |archive-date=June 5, 2022 |access-date=January 28, 2020}}{{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 |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}} the Weeknd's "Sidewalks",{{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 }} and Travis Scott's "Goosebumps".{{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 }}

File:Kendrick Lamar- The DAMN. Tour @ TD Garden (Boston, MA) (36059988466).jpg (2017)|left]]

On March 1, 2017, during a cover story for T, Lamar confirmed that he was working on his fourth album, Damn.{{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}} He released the promotional single "The Heart Part 4" on March 23, before releasing the album's lead single "Humble" on March 30.{{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}}{{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}} 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 chart.{{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}} Damn was released on April 14.{{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 }} It utilized a more mainstream musical palette than To Pimp a Butterfly, exploring R&B and pop elements.{{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}} Rolling Stone described its sonics as a "brilliant combination of the timeless and the modern, the old school and the next-level."{{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 }} Damn became Lamar's most commercially successful album. It spent four non-consecutive weeks atop the Billboard 200, marking his third consecutive number-one album, and debuted with 603,000 units sold.{{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}}{{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}} All of the album's 14 songs debuted on the Hot 100, including the top-20 singles "Loyalty" and "Love".{{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/http://billboard.com/pro/kendrick-lamar-all-14-tracks-damn-hot-100/ |archive-date=April 18, 2022 |access-date=July 29, 2017}} Damn was the seventh best-selling album of 2017, according to the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI), while "Humble" was the sixth best-selling single of the year.{{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 }} By June 2018, it became the first album by a rapper or solo artist to have every song featured earn a gold certification or higher from the Recording Industry Association of America.{{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 }}

To support Damn, Lamar embarked on his first headlining arena tour, the Damn Tour, from July 2017 to July 2018.{{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/http://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}} It grossed $62.7 million in worldwide revenue, becoming one of the highest-grossing hip-hop tours in history.{{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}} At the 2017 MTV Video Music Awards, Lamar opened the ceremony with a performance of "DNA" and "Humble".{{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/http://hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/miley-cyrus-ed-sheeran-weeknd-perform-at-2017-mtv-vmas-1027298/ |archive-date=October 19, 2021}} He later won five awards, including Best Hip Hop Video, Best Direction, and Video of the Year for "Humble"; the latter win marked the first time an artist won the prize for a video they co-directed.{{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=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221116032304/http://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}}{{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}} Throughout the year, he was featured on the remix to Future's "Mask Off",{{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/http://xxlmag.com/kendrick-lamar-future-mask-off-remix/ |archive-date=November 28, 2020 |access-date=May 23, 2017 |work=XXL}} SZA's "Doves in the Wind",{{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}}{{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/http://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}} and Rich the Kid's "New Freezer".{{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 |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}} He won Best Male Hip Hop Artist at the BET Awards,{{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}} while Damn won Favorite Rap/Hip Hop Album at the American Music Awards.{{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=}} A collector's edition of the album, which featured its tracklist in reverse order, was released in December.{{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=dead}}{{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}}

On January 4, 2018, Lamar announced that he would be curating and executive producing Black Panther: The Album, the soundtrack from the 2018 film.{{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}} It was released on February 9 and was supported with three commercially successful singles: "All the Stars",{{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=National Public Radio}} "King's Dead",{{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}} and "Pray for Me".{{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}}{{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}} Lamar contributed lead and background vocals to every track on the album, regardless of credit, and produced on select songs.{{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}}{{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}} Music critics consider Black Panther: The Album to be a milestone achievement, giving praise towards its lyrics and cultural significance.{{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/http://esquire.com/entertainment/music/a16839683/black-panther-soundtrack-review/ |archive-date=February 27, 2018 |access-date=February 27, 2018}}{{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}} It spent two consecutive weeks atop the Billboard 200,{{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}} and earned the most single-week streams for a soundtrack album in history.{{Cite web |last=Rolli |first=Bryan |date=January 8, 2019 |title=Why Kendrick Lamar Was Smart To Not Release A Solo Album In 2018 |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/bryanrolli/2019/01/08/why-kendrick-lamar-was-smart-to-not-release-a-solo-album-in-2018/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240617192957/https://www.forbes.com/sites/bryanrolli/2019/01/08/why-kendrick-lamar-was-smart-to-not-release-a-solo-album-in-2018/ |archive-date=June 17, 2024 |access-date=July 15, 2024 |website=Forbes |language=en}} Lamar opened the 60th Annual Grammy Awards with a critically acclaimed medley.{{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}} He won five awards during the 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.{{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|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}} 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.{{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/http://wane.com/entertainment-news/kendrick-lamar-the-1st-rapper-to-win-pulitzer/ |archive-date=September 17, 2020}}{{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 }}

From May to June 2018, Lamar co-headlined the Championship Tour with several TDE artists.{{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/http://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}}{{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 |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}} While on tour, he became embroiled in a public dispute with Spotify regarding the streaming service's Hate Content & Hateful Conduct policy.{{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|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}}{{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|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}} Lamar was featured on five songs throughout the year: "Dedication" by Nipsey Hussle,{{cite web |last=Fresh |first=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}}{{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 }} "Mona Lisa" by Lil Wayne,{{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}} "Tints" by Anderson .Paak,{{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 |publisher=Condé Nast}}{{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}} and "Wow Freestyle" by Jay Rock; he also executive produced the latter's album Redemption and provided background vocals for the album's second single "Win."{{cite web|last1=Purdom|first1=Clayton|url=https://www.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}}{{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}} At the American Music Awards, Black Panther: The Album won Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Album.{{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}} Lamar made his acting debut as a drug addict in the crime drama series Power (2018).{{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}} After his two concert tours ended, he entered a four-year recording hiatus;{{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}} although he contributed to Beyoncé's The Lion King: The Gift, Schoolboy Q's Crash Talk, and Sir's Chasing Summer (all 2019).{{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 }}{{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 }} As his publishing deal with Warner/Chappell Music was beginning to expire, Lamar signed a long-term worldwide deal with Broadcast Music, Inc.{{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 }}

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.{{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}}{{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}} In October, he signed a worldwide administration agreement with Universal Music Publishing Group.{{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}} 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 the year before that he would be leaving to focus on PGLang.{{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}}{{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 }} The following week, he appeared on Baby Keem's single "Family Ties", which won Best Rap Performance at the 64th Annual Grammy Awards.{{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}}{{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}} Lamar made additional contributions to Keem's album The Melodic Blue by providing background vocals and appearing on the song "Range Brothers".{{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}} In November, he held a "theatrical exhibition of his musical eras" during his second headlining performance at Day N Vegas,{{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 }}{{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 }} and featured on Terrace Martin's album Drones.{{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 }} 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).{{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/http://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}}{{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}}

After releasing the promotional single "The Heart Part 5",{{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 }}{{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 }} Lamar's fifth album, Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers, was released on May 13, 2022.{{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}} The double album drew on jazz, R&B, trap, and soul influences;{{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}}{{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}} Alford served as its primary narrator.{{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 }} It was widely acclaimed by critics, who applauded Lamar's vulnerable songwriting and scope.{{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}} Every track from the album charted on the Hot 100; its three singles–"N95", "Silent Hill", and "Die Hard"–debuted in the top-10.{{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/http://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}} 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.{{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}} It later became the first hip-hop album of the year to reach one billion streams on Spotify.{{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}}

In support of Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers, Lamar embarked on the Big Steppers Tour, which ran from July 2022 to March 2024.{{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}} The tour grossed $110.9 million in worldwide revenue, becoming the highest-grossing rap tour ever at the time.{{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}} Lamar wrote, co-directed, and executive produced the short film adaptation of the song "We Cry Together", which was released worldwide in September 2022.{{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/http://deadline.com/video/kendrick-lamar-taylour-paige-we-cry-together-film/ |archive-date=September 1, 2022 |access-date=July 28, 2023 |website=Deadline}} An accompanying concert film for the tour, Kendrick Lamar Live: The Big Steppers Tour, was released in November.{{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 }}{{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 }} Lamar won Favorite Male Hip Hop Artist at the American Music Awards, and Favorite Hip Hop Album for Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers. He received six awards at the BET Hip Hop Awards, including Album of the Year.{{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}}{{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}} 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.{{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}}

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".{{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}}{{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 |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 }} He won four awards at the BET Hip Hop Awards, and set four records in the process.{{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 }} Lamar was featured in the documentary concert film Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé and executive produced Baby Keem's short film adaptation of The Melodic Blue.{{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 }}{{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 }} He quietly shed his ties with Aftermath Entertainment and signed a new direct licensing agreement with Interscope.{{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}}

{{Further|Drake–Kendrick Lamar feud#2023–2024: Escalation|GNX (album)}}

Lamar's conflict with Drake re-escalated{{Broken anchor|date=2025-04-20|bot=User:Cewbot/log/20201008/configuration|target_link=Drake–Kendrick Lamar feud#2023–2024: Escalation|reason= The anchor (2023–2024: Escalation) has been deleted.|diff_id=1276138034}} in March 2024 with his surprise appearance on Future and Metro Boomin's track "Like That".{{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}} 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.{{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 }} From April to May, he released the Drake-aimed diss singles "Euphoria",{{Cite magazine |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 |magazine=Variety |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 }} "6:16 in LA",{{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}} "Meet the Grahams",{{cite news |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 |agency=BBC News |access-date=May 5, 2024 |date=May 4, 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 }} and "Not Like Us"; all of which were either positively received or acclaimed by critics.{{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}} The latter installment marked the first rap song to lead the Hot 100 with a limited tracking week.{{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}} A celebratory one-off concert, titled The Pop Out: Ken & Friends, was held on Juneteenth.{{Cite magazine |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 |magazine=Variety}} "Not Like Us" went on to win five awards at the 67th Annual Grammy Awards on February 2, 2025: "Record of the Year", "Song of the Year", "Best Rap Performance", "Best Rap Song" and "Best Music Video".{{Cite web |title=2025 GRAMMYs: See The Full Winners & Nominees List |url=https://www.grammy.com/news/2025-grammys-nominations-full-winners-nominees-list |access-date=February 7, 2025 |publisher=Grammy Awards}}

Lamar released "Watch the Party Die" to his Instagram account in September.{{Cite web |last=Horowitz |first=Steven J. |date=September 12, 2024 |title=Kendrick Lamar Drops First New Song Since 'Not Like Us' |url=https://variety.com/2024/music/news/kendrick-lamar-drops-first-song-since-not-like-us-1236141721/ |access-date=September 12, 2024 |magazine=Variety}} On November 22, he shared a song titled "GNX", exclusively on YouTube, followed with a surprise release of the album of the same name on streaming the same day.{{Cite web |last=Breihan |first=Tom |date=22 November 2024 |title=Kendrick Lamar Releases Surprise Album GNX |url=https://www.stereogum.com/2288515/kendrick-lamar-releases-surprise-album-gnx/music/ |access-date=November 22, 2024 |website=Stereogum}}{{Cite magazine |last=Cowen |first=Trace William |date=November 22, 2024 |title=Kendrick Lamar Surprise-Drops 'GNX' Project |url=https://www.complex.com/music/a/tracewilliamcowen/kendrick-lamar-gnx |access-date=22 November 2024 |magazine=Complex}} On December 17, he released a song called "Money Without Me" on YouTube, rumored to be from Section.80 sessions. In December, he had a guest appearance on SZA's Lana, the deluxe reissue to SOS (2022). Billboard listed Lamar as the greatest pop star of 2024, highlighting his "new releases or revelations that captured headlines and captivated the culture".{{Cite magazine |last=Unterberger |first=Andrew |date=December 23, 2024 |title=Billboard Staff's Greatest Pop Stars of 2024: No. 1— Kendrick Lamar |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/kendrick-lamar-greatest-pop-stars-2024-1235864455/ |access-date=December 24, 2024 |magazine=Billboard}} Outside of music, Lamar starred in the animated biographical film Piece by Piece (2024).{{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}}

On February 9, 2025, Lamar performed at the Super Bowl LIX halftime show. His show also featured cameos and musical performances from SZA, Samuel L. Jackson, Serena Williams, and Mustard.{{cite magazine |title=America Has a Problem: Unpacking Kendrick Lamar's Super Bowl symbolism |url=https://www.dazeddigital.com/music/article/66062/1/symbolism-behind-kendrick-lamar-super-bowl-performance-donald-trump-drake |access-date=February 10, 2025 |magazine=Dazed}}{{cite news |last1=Jokic |first1=Natasha |title=17 Easter Eggs And Small Details From Kendrick Lamar's Super Bowl Halftime Show |url=https://www.buzzfeed.com/natashajokic1/kendrick-lamar-super-bowl-halftime-show-details |access-date=February 10, 2025 |agency=BuzzFeed}}{{cite news |title='40 Acres and a Mule': Kendrick Lamar's Super Bowl 59 Wasn't Just for Drake When Donald Trump Was His Real Target |url=https://fandomwire.com/40-acres-and-a-mule-kendrick-lamars-super-bowl-59-wasnt-just-for-drake-when-donald-trump-was-his-real-target/ |access-date=February 10, 2025 |agency=FandomWire}} His halftime show broke viewership records, becoming the most-watched Super Bowl performance of all time with 133.5 million viewers, surpassing for the first time Michael Jackson's 1993 Super Bowl XXVII halftime show.{{Cite web |last=Zucker |first=Joseph |title=Kendrick Lamar's NFL Super Bowl 59 Halftime Show Draws Record 133.5M Viewers |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/25142804-kendrick-lamars-nfl-super-bowl-59-halftime-show-draws-record-1335m-viewers |access-date=February 11, 2025 |publisher=Bleacher Report}} He signed on to produce a comedy feature with Free, Trey Parker and Matt Stone for Paramount Pictures, which is slated to be released on July 4, 2025.{{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 |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 }}{{cite magazine |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/matt-stone-trey-parker-comedy-kendrick-lamar-paramount-1235872023/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240411200926/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/matt-stone-trey-parker-comedy-kendrick-lamar-paramount-1235872023/ |last=Gajewski |first=Ryan |title='South Park' Creators Matt Stone, Trey Parker Set Live-Action Comedy With Kendrick Lamar at Paramount |magazine=Hollywood Reporter |date=April 11, 2024 |archive-date=April 11, 2024 |access-date=January 2, 2024}} On February 17, Lamar became the ninth overall artist and first rapper ever to reach over 100 million monthly listeners on Spotify.{{Cite web |date=February 17, 2025 |title=Kendrick Lamar Is The First Rapper With 100 Million Spotify Listeners |url=https://uproxx.com/music/kendrick-lamar-first-rapper-100-million-spotify/ |access-date=February 17, 2025 |website=Uproxx}} He further became the first rapper to have three top-10 albums in the US simultaneously.{{cite web | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cj3n1k8edzjo | title=Kendrick Lamar earns first UK number one with Drake diss Not Like Us | date=February 21, 2025 }} On March 14, 2025, Lamar was featured thrice on the album Music by Playboi Carti, appearing on the tracks "Backd00r", "Good Credit", and "Mojo Jojo".{{cite web | url=https://variety.com/2025/music/news/playboi-carti-releases-i-am-music-kendrick-lamar-1236336542/ | title=Kendrick Lamar featured on Playboi Carti's Music | date=March 14, 2025 }}

Lamar began dating his fiancée Whitney Alford when they were in high school. Lamar announced his engagement to Alford in April 2015.{{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/http://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}}{{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}} They welcomed their first child, Uzi, on July 26, 2019.{{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 }}{{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 }} The couple used the cover art for Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers to announce the birth of their second son, Enoch, in 2022.{{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 }}{{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 }}

Lamar is a teetotaler and lives a drug-free lifestyle.{{cite web|last=Jones|first=Lorraine|title=Kendrick Lamar: "This Is One Thing I Will Never Do"|date=October 18, 2013|website=BET|url=https://www.bet.com/article/0g9i2c/kendrick-lamar-this-is-one-thing-i-will-never-do|access-date=February 6, 2025}} In an October 2012 interview, he stated that he once tried marijuana, but the blunt had been laced with PCP, and he has not used any drugs since.{{cite AV media|format=YouTube video|url=https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=YlFL32aeW28 |title=Kendrick Lamar Breaks Down The Meaning Behind good kid, m.A.D.D city w/ The L.A. Leakers|author=LA Leakers|date=October 19, 2012 |access-date=February 4, 2025 }} In an interview with Starz, Lamar stated he asked to play a drug abuser on the TV series Power, saying: "[Laces] is just a character that I know. I know so well, just growing up in Compton. You grow this type of love for them, you know, in this weird kind of way. You know, you don't want to see nothing happen to them, but you know he's dangerous."{{cite web |url=https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=wM8aPko5VMA |title=Courtney Kemp Talks With Kendrick Lamar, Power Season 5, STARZ|via=YouTube |date=July 30, 2018 |access-date=February 4, 2025 }}

File:Tupac's passport headshot.jpg to be his biggest influence.]]

Tupac Shakur is Lamar's biggest influence, having impacted both his professional and personal lives.{{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 }} 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 Swap Meet. Lamar has described himself as an "offspring" of Shakur's artistry and sociopolitical views.{{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=dead }} Although some publications have regarded him as the Shakur of his generation,{{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 }}{{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 }} he has strived to maintain his individuality.{{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 }}

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 (1998) influenced Lamar's artistic direction: "I don't look at these albums like just music; it sounds like an actual film."{{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/http://djbooth.net/features/2017-11-21-kendrick-lamar-three-90s-albums |archive-date=February 22, 2018}} He also listened and took influence from Mos Def and Snoop Dogg during his childhood,{{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}} and said, "I wouldn't be here today if it wasn't for Eazy-E."{{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}} 50 Cent's mixtape success inspired Lamar to become an independent artist, while his view on being categorized as a conscious rapper, "Yeah, I'm a conscious artist because I have a conscience", gave him a sense of perspective.{{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 }}

Prodigy of Mobb Deep was a key influence on Lamar's earlier mixtapes,{{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 }} while his rapping technique was stemmed from Lil Wayne and his longevity.{{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 }} Eminem and his album The Marshall Mathers LP (2000) introduced him to songwriting elements, such as ad-libs, and impacted his aggressive approach to records such as "Backseat Freestyle".{{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 }}{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGMQQNoUn0M |title=Kendrick Lamar Says Eminem "Definitely" Influenced His Style, Calls Him A "Genius" |via=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 }}{{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 }} He took inspiration from N.W.A's tenacity of representing his hometown with "courage, honesty and artistic brilliance".{{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 }} Various R&B and soul artists, including Marvin Gaye,{{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 }} the Isley Brothers, Michael Jackson,{{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 }} Teddy Pendergrass,{{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 }} Sade, and Anita Baker, have influenced Lamar.{{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 }} He performed with Prince, who impacted his vocal register,{{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 }} 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".{{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 }} To Pimp a Butterfly was influenced by the works of jazz trumpeter Miles Davis and funk collective Parliament-Funkadelic.{{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 }}

The nature of Lamar's musical style has been described as "anti-flamboyant, interior and complex." He is rooted in West Coast hip hop,{{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}} and has continually reinvented his sound by branching out into other genres.{{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}} Due to his contributions to its audience growth, through his appeal to mainstream listeners, music critics generally categorize Lamar as a progressive rap artist.{{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 }} He suggests that his music is genreless, explaining in a 2012 interview, "You really can't categorize my music, it's human music."{{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 }} 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.{{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}}

Lamar did not care for music production during the beginning of his career.{{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}} However, as he placed an emphasis on songwriting and "making material that's universal", he grew more exacting and adventurous with his compositions. He is heavily involved with every aspect of his production process, including the mixing and mastering stages, and is known for working long hours in the recording studio.{{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}} "You gotta be hands on and know the different sounds and frequencies," Lamar explained to Variety. "What makes people move, what melodies stick with you, taking the higher octaves and the lower octaves and learning how to intertwine that in a certain frequency, how to manipulate sound to your advantage." Lamar chooses to work with a close-knit team of musicians, rather than constantly seek high-profile talent.{{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}} He has been working with his longtime producer, Sounwave, since his 2009 self-titled EP.

Kendrick Lamar marked a pivotal change in Lamar's artistry. Unlike his earlier mixtapes, which consisted of freestyles over CHR and urban radio singles, the EP incorporated melancholic and "doleful" original production that emphasized his lyrics. Austere jazz production was blended with alternative rap styles on Section.80,{{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/http://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}} with instrumentals drawing from R&B, boom bap, psychedelia, and downtempo.{{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!}} 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.{{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/l0x7XzzxfQ&_r=0 |archive-date=December 31, 2014 |access-date=November 23, 2012 |work=The New York Times |page=C1}}{{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}} To Pimp a Butterfly is an amalgamation of genres synonymous with African-American music, most prominently jazz, funk, and soul.{{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}}{{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}} It redefined jazz rap by highlighting improvisation and soloing rather than primarily using sampling.{{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}}{{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}} Minimalist arrangements are incorporated in Damn and Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers.{{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}}{{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}} Damn appealed to mainstream listeners through its pop and R&B-influenced production,{{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}} while the scattered and distorted instrumentals of Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers was designed to make listeners feel anxious and uncomfortable.{{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}} GNX was an homage to the West Coast, with g-funk synths, West Coast-inspired beats and flows, and features from various underground Los Angeles rappers such as Hitta J3, YoungThreat, Peysoh, Lefty Gunplay, Wallie the Sensei, and Siete7x.{{Cite web |last=Baker |first=John |title=Kendrick Lamar continues to flaunt West Coast confidence in 'GNX' |url=https://theithacan.org/58403/life-culture/music/kendrick-lamar-continues-to-flaunt-west-coast-confidence-in-gnx/ |access-date=2025-02-06 |website=The Ithacan}}

Several media outlets consider Lamar to be the greatest and most important rapper of his generation.{{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}}{{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}} Billboard, Forbes and Vibe named him the second-greatest rapper of all time, behind Jay-Z.{{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}}{{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}} Described as a "blazing" technical rapper and "relentless searcher" by The New York Times,{{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}} Lamar's "limber, dexterous" flow switches from derivative to generative metrics,{{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}}{{sfn|Mattessich|2019|p=1–12}} while incorporating internal and multisyllabic rhyme schemes.{{sfn|Wadsworth|Needle|2022|p=69–94}} His rhymes are typically manipulated within common time, allowing him to subtly control his metrical phonology and suggest formal ambiguities similar to pop and rock repertoires.{{sfn|Wadsworth|Needle|2022|p=69–94}} Some of his rhyme manipulations feature "flexible" new school styles evoking the 1990s, while others use "rigid" 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, inflections, and delivery to mirror the album's emotional range.{{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!}}

Lamar possesses a versatile tenor vocal range{{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}}{{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}} and a raspy, half-shout timbre, where "his throat sounds dry and his mouth sounds wet."{{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}} André 3000 was the first rapper that introduced him to singing sensibilities in hip hop,{{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}} and he writes melody-driven songs as practice for his albums. Lamar became comfortable with his vocals over time, to the point where he feels confident enough to create singing-based albums.{{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}} Pitchfork noticed how his harmonies on To Pimp a Butterfly never made him sound alone throughout his "desolate" performance; comparing his vocal layering to "standing in the middle, unnoticed, of a large quarrelsome crowd."{{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}}

Praised for his willingness to use his voice as an instrument,{{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}} Lamar adopts different cadences, tones, modulations, and timbres to suggest conflicting personalities, paint distinct emotions, and communicate stories using characters and personas.{{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}}{{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/http://newyorker.com/culture/culture-desk/the-autofictions-of-kendrick-lamar |archive-date=July 28, 2017 |issn=0028-792X}} His falsetto register, which he calls the "ghetto falsetto", has been likened to Curtis Mayfield's.{{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}} 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.{{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}} He was ranked the tenth-best solo singer of the 21st century by The Times in 2023.{{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.com/culture/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 |url-status=live |issn=0140-0460}}

{{Further|List of songs recorded by Kendrick Lamar}}

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Branded as a "master of storytelling" by The New Yorker, Lamar has been referred to as one of the greatest lyricists in modern hip hop by several publications and his peers.{{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}}{{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}} 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."{{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}} 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 literary within the art form of music."{{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}} Lamar's reflective narrative songwriting pulls from a wide range of literary and cinematic techniques, such as hip hop skits and voice-overs, to allow his audience to follow internal and external storylines.{{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}} 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 narrative device.

Lamar, who self-identifies as a musician and writer, begins his songwriting process with an assortment of premeditated thoughts that he jotted down over the course of one year.{{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}} His personal experiences are a common source of inspiration, but he also pulls ideas from meeting new people, traveling, and experiencing different cultures. A devout Christian, he additionally shares his spiritual triumphs and struggles on his songs.{{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}}{{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}} He is an avid note-taker, and has developed keywords, phrases, and sounds to help him "trigger the exact emotions" he felt when writing the initial demo. Considered to be a "radio-friendly but overtly political rapper" by Pitchfork,{{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}} and a populist by The Wall Street Journal,{{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}} Lamar's songwriting regularly infuses political criticism and social commentary concerning African-American culture.{{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}} Common themes explored include racial inequality, institutional discrimination, and black empowerment.{{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}} Lamar's critiques has been compared to the State of the Union Address by The Guardian,{{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}} while Billboard described it as "Shakespearean".{{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 |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}} 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 institutions responsible for their pain," an achievement most reporters cannot attain.{{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}}

Lamar tries to carry a 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." Fans and publications have theorized that his albums are related to different forms of mass media.{{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}} Section.80 is regarded as a short story collection inspired and themed around events that impacted the millennial generation, such as Ronald Reagan's presidency.{{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}}{{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}} The nonlinear narrative structure of Good Kid, M.A.A.D City is billed as a coming-of-age short film that chronicles Lamar's harsh teenage experiences in his native Compton.{{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}}{{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}} Its cinematic scope has been compared to the screenplays written by filmmakers Martin Scorsese and Quentin Tarantino.{{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}}{{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}} To Pimp a Butterfly unfolds as both a poem and blank letter that explores the responsibilities of being a role model and documents life as an African American during Barack Obama's presidency.{{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}}{{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}} Damn is labeled as an introspective satire that explores the dualities of human nature and morality.{{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}}{{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}} Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers takes on the form of a theatrical play, with confessional lyrics based on Lamar's experiences in therapy.{{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}}{{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}}

File:Kendrick Lamar 3 F.I.B. 2016 (cropped).jpg in 2016]]

Insider Inc. and CNN editors have opined that Lamar is one of the most influential musicians of the 2010s decade, deeming him a paradigm shift in contemporary hip hop and popular culture.{{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 |publisher=Insider Inc.}}{{cite news |title=The 10 artists who transformed music this decade |agency=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}} Throughout the Black Lives Matter movement and events following the 2016 U.S. presidential election, his work has been used as protest anthems.{{Cite news |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 |newspaper=The Independent}} According to American studies and media scholar William Hoynes, Lamar's 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."{{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}} Matt Miller of Esquire opined that in recent years Lamar revived music videos as a form of social commentary.{{Cite magazine |last=Miller |first=Matt |date=March 31, 2017 |title=Kendrick Lamar Just Made the Greatest Music Video in Years |magazine=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}}

Lamar's music has consistently garnered critical acclaim, commercial success, as well as support from artists who have paved the way for his advancement.{{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 |publisher=AllMusic}}{{Cite magazine |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 |magazine=Spin}} His Pulitzer Prize win was considered a sign of the American cultural elite formally recognizing hip hop as a "legitimate artistic medium".{{Cite web |title=Kendrick Lamar becomes the first rapper to win the Pulitzer Prize |date=November 12, 2019 |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 |publisher=History Channel}} Senior artists such as Nas,{{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 |magazine=HipHopDX }} Bruce Springsteen,{{Cite magazine |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 |magazine=Spin}} Eminem,{{Cite magazine |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 |magazine=Complex}} Dr. Dre,{{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 }} Prince,{{Cite news |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 |newspaper=The Independent}} and Madonna have praised his musicianship.{{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 }} David Bowie's final album, Blackstar (2016), was inspired by To Pimp a Butterfly, and its producer Tony Visconti praised Lamar as a "rulebreaker" in the music industry.{{cite magazine |last=Greene |first=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}}{{Cite magazine |last=Milton |first=Jamie |date=March 30, 2017 |title=Bowie producer says music needs more 'rule-breakers' like Frank Ocean and Kendrick Lamar |magazine=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}} Pharrell Williams called him "one of the greatest writers of our times" and likened him to Bob Dylan.{{Cite news |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 |agency=CNN}} Lamar has also been cited as a strong influence on the works of various modern artists,{{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}} including BTS,{{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 |magazine=Rolling Stone India}} Dua Lipa,{{cite magazine |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 |magazine=Vogue}} Tyler, the Creator,{{Cite magazine |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 |magazine=Complex}} Roddy Ricch,{{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 |publisher=Genius}} and Rosalía.{{Cite magazine |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 |magazine=i-D |language=es}} Lorde regards him as "the most popular and influential artist in modern music."{{Cite magazine |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 |magazine=American Songwriter}}

{{See also|Drake–Kendrick Lamar feud}}

Lamar maintains a low public profile,{{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 |magazine=Complex}} and is known to be reserved. He is reluctant to publicly discuss his personal life and generally avoids using social media.{{Cite magazine |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 |magazine=Complex}}{{Cite magazine |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 |magazine=Essence}} He is also decisive when engaging with mainstream media outlets, although journalists have complimented his "Zen-like" calmness and down to earth personality.{{Cite news |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 |newspaper=Los Angeles Times}}{{Cite magazine |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 |magazine=W}} 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."{{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}} His lyrics have been a topic of media scrutiny, leading to both praise and controversy.{{Cite magazine |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/ |magazine=The Atlantic}}{{Cite magazine |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 |magazine=Variety}}

Lamar's public perception has also been influenced by the various rap feuds he has been involved with.{{Cite magazine |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 |magazine=NME}}{{Cite magazine |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 |magazine=Esquire}} Although some journalists declared him the winner of his highly publicized conflict with Drake,{{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 }} some felt that his victory was pyrrhic due to the severity of accusations introduced and the spread of online misinformation.{{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 }}{{Cite magazine |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 |magazine=Complex}} Following the release of Good Kid, M.A.A.D City, media outlets have described Lamar as the "modern hip hop messiah".{{Cite news |last=Kang |first=Jay Caspian |date=March 24, 2015 |title=Notes on the Hip-Hop Messiah |newspaper=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}} Some critics dislike his "grating" political infusions,{{Cite magazine |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 |magazine=The Atlantic}} causing him to be viewed as having a savior complex.{{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}}{{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}} However, Lamar has declared himself to be the "greatest rapper alive" due to his personal connection to hip hop.{{Cite news |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 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220927132318/https://www.mtv.com/news/f7ucdd/kendrick-lamar-greatest-rapper-2017 |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 27, 2022 |access-date=October 10, 2023 |agency=MTV News}} "I'm not doing it to have a good song, or one good rap, or a good hook, or a good 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."{{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.com}}

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.{{Cite magazine |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 |magazine=Entrepreneur}} He approaches traditional album rollouts with an unorthodox method, using Easter eggs and leaving cryptic messages.{{Cite magazine |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 |magazine=Complex}} Before releasing a studio album, Lamar shares a promotional single taken from "The Heart", a timestamp song series designed to "observe the beating pulse behind his music."

"Malone">{{Cite magazine |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 |magazine=HipHopDX}} The vulnerable themes explored on the non-album singles have strengthened his relationship with his "inquisitive" fanbase known as Kenfolk.{{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}} His real estate portfolio includes properties in California and New York.{{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 |newspaper=The New York Times |issn=1553-8095}}{{Cite magazine |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 |magazine=Architectural Digest}} In 2011, Lamar crafted an original song with record producer Nosaj Thing to promote Microsoft's Windows Phone in 2011.{{cite magazine |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 |magazine=HipHopDX}} He starred alongside DJ Calvin Harris and singer Ellie Goulding in a marketing campaign for Bacardi in 2014.{{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}}

As a minority shareholder of TDE, Lamar was set to serve as the executive producer for the label's film division. He partnered with American Express on advertising campaigns for Art Basel and Small Business Saturday,{{Cite magazine |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 |magazine=Vibe}} and is an angel investor of the music creation platform EngineEars.{{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}} 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.{{cite news |first=Marissa G. |last=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=dead |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 News}}{{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}} He developed working relationships with Grace Wales Bonner and Martine Rose; through their respective eponymous brands, they have dressed him for several public events.{{Cite magazine |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 |magazine=British Vogue}} For her Autumn/Winter 2023 collection, Twilight Reverie, Lamar worked with Bonner to create the show's soundtrack with Sampha and Duval Timothy.{{Cite news |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 |newspaper=Financial Times}}{{Cite news |last=Ferrier |first=Morwenna |date=January 18, 2023 |title=Grace Wales Bonner pays homage to black icons in Paris show |newspaper=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}} Through PGLang, he composed the score and co-designed the stage for Chanel's Spring/Summer 2024 haute couture collection.{{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 |magazine=Vogue}}

A supporter of the Black Lives Matter movement, Lamar is a vocal advocate for racial equality.{{Cite news |last=Coscarelli |first=Joe |date=December 29, 2015 |title=Kendrick Lamar on the Grammys, Black Lives Matter and His Big 2015 |newspaper=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}} In 2012, he commended Frank Ocean for coming out.{{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}} Lamar developed a strong friendship with former US president Barack Obama, having worked on a promotional video for Obama's My Brother's Keeper initiative.{{Cite magazine |last=Platon |first=Adelle |date=February 4, 2016 |title=Kendrick Lamar Opens Up About Meeting President Obama: 'No Matter How High-Ranking You Get, You're Human' |url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/magazine-feature/6866105/kendrick-lamar-meeting-president-obama |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171023043033/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/magazine-feature/6866105/kendrick-lamar-meeting-president-obama |archive-date=October 23, 2017 |access-date=August 1, 2024 |magazine=Billboard}}{{Cite web |last=Chavez |first=Danette |date=July 5, 2016 |title=President Obama celebrates Independence Day with Kendrick Lamar and Janelle Monáe |url=https://www.avclub.com/president-obama-celebrates-independence-day-with-kendri-1798249011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220120082955/https://www.avclub.com/president-obama-celebrates-independence-day-with-kendri-1798249011 |archive-date=January 20, 2022 |access-date=August 1, 2024 |website=The A.V. Club}} He was critical of Donald Trump's first presidency and the U.S. Supreme Court's landmark decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.{{Cite web |last=Young |first=Alex |date=October 16, 2017 |title=Kendrick Lamar on Donald Trump's presidency: "It's just building up the fire in me" |url=https://consequence.net/2017/10/kendrick-lamar-on-donald-trumps-presidency-its-just-building-up-the-fire-in-me/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230627191119/https://consequence.net/2017/10/kendrick-lamar-on-donald-trumps-presidency-its-just-building-up-the-fire-in-me/ |archive-date=June 27, 2023 |access-date=August 1, 2024 |website=Consequence}}{{Cite magazine |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 |magazine=NME}}

Lamar has headlined charity concerts benefitting local and international non-profit organizations.{{Cite news |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 |newspaper=Los Angeles Times}}{{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 |access-date=July 19, 2023}} He donated to the American Red Cross in November 2012 to support victims of Hurricane Sandy.{{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 |publisher=Global Citizen}} In December 2013, Lamar donated $50,000 to his alma mater, Centennial High School, in support of its music department.{{Cite news |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 |newspaper=LA Weekly}} He embarked on a small concert tour in 2014, and donated all of the revenue to Habitat for Humanity and his hometown.{{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 |publisher=Mic}} In July 2017, Lamar purchased a wheelchair-accessible van for a quadriplegic fan.{{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 |access-date=July 19, 2023}}{{Cite magazine |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 |magazine=NME}} He has regularly performed at TDE's annual holiday toy drive at Nickerson Gardens,{{Cite magazine |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 |magazine=Variety}}{{Cite magazine |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 |magazine=Complex}} and organizes his own toy drive in Compton.{{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=HotNewHipHop}} He joined a peace walk in June 2020 to protest against the murder of George Floyd and the killing of Breonna Taylor.{{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}}{{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 |magazine=Complex}} In June 2024, Lamar spearheaded a $200,000 donation to 20 charities and community initiatives based in Los Angeles.{{Cite magazine |last=Lamarre |first=Carl |date=June 28, 2024 |title=Kendrick Lamar, pgLang and Free Lunch Donate $200,000 to L.A. Charities and Community Initiatives |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/kendrick-lamar-pop-out-donation-charities-los-angeles-1235720142/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240628201649/https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/kendrick-lamar-pop-out-donation-charities-los-angeles-1235720142/ |archive-date=June 28, 2024 |access-date=June 28, 2024 |magazine=Billboard}}

{{Further|List of awards and nominations received by Kendrick Lamar}}

File:Kendrick Lamar Obama Janelle Monáe 2016.jpg Independence Day celebration with President Barack Obama (center) and singer Janelle Monáe (right)]] Throughout his career, Lamar has won 22 Grammy Awards (the third-most by a rapper in history),{{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}}{{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}}{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2025-02-03 |title=What to know about Kendrick Lamar after the Grammys and ahead of the Super Bowl |url=https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Culture/kendrick-lamar-grammys-super-bowl-2025/story?id=118392998#:~:text=How%20many%20Grammy%20wins%20does,,%20Feb.%202,%202025.&text=Lamar's%202025%20Grammy%20wins%20bring%20his%20total%20Grammy%20Award%20count%20to%2022. |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=ABC News |language=en}} a Primetime Emmy Award,{{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}} four American Music Awards,{{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}} 37 BET Hip Hop Awards (the most won by any artist),{{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}} 11 MTV Video Music Awards (including two Video of the Year wins),{{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}} 7 Billboard Music Awards,{{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}} and a Brit Award.{{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}} As a songwriter, he has received nominations for an Academy Award and a Golden Globe Award.{{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}}{{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}} At the 58th Annual Grammy Awards, Lamar received the most Grammy nominations by a rapper in one night, with 11.{{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}} During the 65th ceremony, he became the first artist from any genre to be nominated for Album of the Year with four consecutive lead studio albums since Billy Joel (1979–1983).{{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}}

Lamar has appeared in various power listings. In 2015, he was featured on Ebony's Power 100 list that honors leaders within the African American community.{{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}} Time included him on its annual list of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2016.{{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}} He has appeared on Forbes' Celebrity 100 ranking (2019),{{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}} and its 30 Under 30 list twice in the music category (2014 and 2018).{{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}}{{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}} Lamar was included twice in Billboard{{'}}s lists of the greatest rappers of all time (2015 and 2023).{{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 }}{{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}} Complex named him the best rapper alive thrice (2013, 2017 and 2024),{{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}}{{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}} and included him in their list of the 20 best rappers in their 20s thrice (2013, 2015, and 2016).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}} In May 2015, Lamar was declared a generational icon by the California State Senate for his contributions to music and philanthropy.{{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}} He was a grand marshal for the Compton Christmas Parade,{{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}} and was presented with the key to the city of his hometown for representing its evolution.{{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 |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 |magazine=Rolling Stone}} He served as Compton College's surprise commencement speaker on June 7, 2024.{{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}} Lamar is the fifth man to appear solo on the cover of Harper's Bazaar.{{Cite magazine |last1=Rowe |first1=Solána |author-link1=SZA |last2=Greenidge |first2=Kaitlyn |author-link2=Kaitlyn Greenidge |date=October 21, 2024 |title=Kendrick Lamar Gets Personal |url=https://www.harpersbazaar.com/culture/art-books-music/a62568151/kendrick-lamar-sza-interview-2024/ |access-date=October 21, 2024 |magazine=Harper's Bazaar |language=en-US}}

Good Kid, M.A.A.D City, To Pimp a Butterfly, and Damn were featured in Rolling Stone{{'}}s industry-voted ranking of the 500 greatest albums of all time and the 200 greatest hip hop albums of all time.{{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}}{{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}} 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.{{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 }}{{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}} It was named the seventh greatest album of all time by Apple Music in 2024.{{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}} To Pimp a Butterfly was ranked by several publications as one of the greatest albums of the 2010s 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}} while "Alright" was deemed the greatest hip hop song of the streaming era by Spotify.{{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}} As of February 2023, it is the top ranked album on the online encyclopedia Rate Your Music.{{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}} 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.{{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}}{{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}} Its tour companion, along with the Big Steppers Tour (2022–2024), are two of the highest-grossing hip hop tours of all time.{{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}}

{{Main|Kendrick Lamar albums discography|Kendrick Lamar singles discography|List of songs recorded by Kendrick Lamar}}

Studio albums

• Section.80 (2011)
• Good Kid, M.A.A.D City (2012)
• To Pimp a Butterfly (2015)
• Damn (2017)
• Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers (2022)
• GNX (2024)

{{Main|Kendrick Lamar videography}}

• God Is Gangsta (2015)
• Quincy (2018)
• Kendrick Lamar Live: The Big Steppers Tour (2022)
• Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé (2023)
• Piece by Piece (2024)
• Whitney Springs (2025)

{{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 (with Top Dawg Entertainment artists) (2018)
• Grand National Tour (with SZA) (2025)

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

• 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
• Pulitzer Prize for Music

{{notelist}}

{{reflist|colwidth=20em}}

{{refbegin|colwidth=30em|indent=yes}}

• {{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=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 |doi=10.1093/oso/9780190056650.003.0010 |isbn=978-0-19-005665-0 |via=Oxford Academic}}
• {{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|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}}

{{refend}}

{{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}}
• {{MusicBrainz artist}}
• {{IMDb name}}

{{Kendrick Lamar|state=expanded}}

{{Kendrick Lamar songs}}

{{Navboxes

|title = 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}}

{{Brit International Male}}

{{ConsequenceOfSoundArtistBand}}

{{Grammy Award for Record of the Year}}

{{Grammy Award for Song of the Year}}

{{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 Video of the Year}}

{{MTV Video Music Award for Best Collaboration}}

{{MTV Video Music Award for Best Hip-Hop Video}}

{{NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Album}}

{{NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Duo or Group}}

{{NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Music Video}}

{{NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Song}}

{{PulitzerPrize Music}}

{{WSA for Best Original Song Written Directly for a Film}}

{{Billboard Year-End number one albums 2010-2029}}

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{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Lamar, Kendrick}}

Category:1987 births

Category:Living people

Category:21st-century African-American male singers

Category:21st-century 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:American music video directors

Category:American hip-hop record producers

Category:American hip-hop singers

Category:American male television actors

Category:American tenors

Category:African-American Christians

Category:African-American film directors

Category:African-American film producers

Category:African-American investors

Category:American investors

Category:African-American male rappers

Category:21st-century American male rappers

Category:20th-century 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:Grammy Award winners for rap music

Category:Hype men

Category:Interscope Records artists

Category:Juno Award for International Album of the Year winners

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: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