Short Summary
In this interview they went over the day in the life of
Kendrick Lamar. He wakes up at 11 a.m. works out a little then takes a nap, and then starts work at 9 p.m. all the way to 5 a.m. At the time of the interview he was working on
To Pimp A Butterfly so they also mentioned things that happened at the studio.The article mentions how so many celebrities love Kendrick Lamar music especially Taylor Swift who said "
Backseat Freestyle" is her theme song. Kendrick's response to this was,“I thought she just liked the song. That’s a beautiful thing, Taylor Swift enjoying that song and knowing the words.”Kendrick said that when he was 8 years old he was kicked out of their apartment and had to live in a hotel for 6 months. His uncle was in jail and only when Kendrick Lamar was able to afford it himself was his Mom able to own a home.He also talks about the
police violence in Ferguson and Kendrick's responsem ended up causing controversyThe article mentions that
Control is what truly gave Kendrick Lamar huge recognition, Kendrick Lamar then said,“
Drake is definitely a great artist in this world,” Lamar now says. Then he grins. “I’m a great artist in my world.”
Long Summary
Early Life and Rise to Prominence
Kendrick Lamar emerged from Compton, California, overcoming significant hardship to become a leading voice in hip-hop. In his 2015 Billboard interview with Gavin Edwards, Lamar revealed that his parents moved from Chicago's South Side to Compton before his birth. His family relied on food stamps and was evicted when he was eight, coinciding with Tupac Shakur's death and his uncle's incarceration. Before music, Lamar had limited aspirations, simply wanting "to hang out, make a little money from whatever I had to do." His breakthrough came in 2011 when he signed to Dr. Dre's Aftermath label, with Schoolboy Q recalling, "I was his hype man. I saw his first check for a show: $4,000. We thought that was the most money in the world."
Musical Approach and Creative Process
Kendrick Lamar distinguishes himself through his literary approach to hip-hop. "I pride myself on writing now rather than rapping," he told Billboard, emphasizing "constructing a full body of work, rather than just a 16-bar verse." This philosophy was evident when
he performed an untitled track on The Colbert Report, which may not end up on his
next album, with his "vampires"—a live band including Thundercat, Bilal, Anna Wise, and Terrace Martin. His 2012 album
good kid, m.A.A.d city reached No. 2 on the Billboard 200 and achieved platinum certification, drawing comparisons to literary classics—"less Boyz in the Hood, more Catcher in the Rye." Lamar's daily routine begins around 5 a.m. after overnight studio sessions, followed by workouts featuring "penitentiary push-ups," listening to artists like Marvin Gaye and Rick James, and returning to the studio around 9 p.m.
Personal Values and Relationships
The Billboard interview portrays Lamar as introspective and private. "I've been called a recluse," he acknowledged, adding "I like to spend time alone." Lamar rarely frequents clubs and abstained from alcohol and marijuana since age 16-17, observations that inspired his hit "
Swimming Pool (Drank)" which peaked at No. 17 on the Hot 100. He has maintained a relationship with his high school girlfriend, Whitney Alford, describing her as his "best friend" and "somebody I can tell my fears to." His authenticity extends to his performances, as seen on Saturday Night Live where he wore black contact lenses evoking Method Man and braids honoring Ol' Dirty Bastard. Despite his success, Lamar lives modestly in a three-level condo near Compton rather than a mansion.
Views on Social Issues and Industry Relationships
When
addressing police violence in Ferguson (Michael Brown) and Staten Island, Lamar offered a nuanced perspective: "What happened to [Michael Brown] should've never happened. Never. But when we don't have respect for ourselves, how do we expect them to respect us?" He cited The Autobiography of Malcolm X as influential to his thinking about legacy. Regarding industry relationships, following his provocative verse on Big Sean's "
Control" challenging rappers including
Drake and
J. Cole, Lamar remained diplomatic, calling Drake "definitely a great artist in this world" while adding he's "a great artist in my world." Similarly, when asked about Iggy Azalea, who faced substantial criticism at the time, Lamar refused to join detractors, stating, "She's doing her thing. Let her. People have to go through trials and tribulations to get where they at. Do your thing, continue to rock it, because obviously God wants you here." This gracious attitude extended to his response after
losing seven Grammy nominations to Macklemore, whom he called "a genuine dude" after
Macklemore texted an apology for winning. "That's not my overall goal," Lamar said of winning awards. "I appreciate them recognizing me. It's best to just go and enjoy the festivities."
Artistic Evolution and Cultural Impact
At the time of the interview, Kendrick Lamar was completing his follow-up to Good Kid, M.A.A.D City, with the single "
i" already earning two Grammy nominations despite peaking at No. 39. The song's chorus ("I love myself") served as what Lamar called a "psychological trick" for himself during periods of self-doubt. His artistic integrity earned praise from diverse figures including comedian Chris Rock, pop star Taylor Swift (who called "
Backseat Freestyle" her personal theme song), and Imagine Dragons frontman Dan Reynolds, who
performed with Lamar at the 2014 Grammy Awards, praised his meticulous approach to lyricism: "I know when I'm listening to Kendrick Lamar that each word was put there for a reason. A lot of thought goes into it." Interscope CEO John Janick observed that "Kendrick pulls culture toward him. He doesn't mirror it," highlighting why Lamar—who reportedly commanded $250,000 for guest verses—had become hip-hop's artistic conscience while maintaining his connection to his Compton roots.*There may be errors on this page.
