Summary
Introduction and Career Context
In an in-depth 2017 Rolling Stone interview conducted by Brian Hiatt,
Kendrick Lamar discusses his rise as one of the most innovative and commercially successful hip-hop artists. The interview portrays Lamar, then 30, as a uniquely grounded superstar who had just reached a new pinnacle of success with his album
"DAMN." following two previous acclaimed releases:
"good kid, m.A.A.d city" (2012) and
"To Pimp a Butterfly" (2015). Hiatt describes Lamar as having achieved the rare feat of becoming a major commercial success without compromising his artistic integrity.
Personal Philosophy and Background
Lamar reveals that his biggest "vice" is his obsessive dedication to his craft, sometimes at the expense of personal relationships. He discusses how growing up with his father present gave him emotional intelligence that many of his peers lacked. His maturity developed early - family members called him "Man Man" as a child because he carried himself like an adult. Despite witnessing trauma growing up in Compton, including murders, Lamar credits the balance of humor and love in his family for helping him process these experiences without breaking from them.
Musical Process and Artistic Identity
Regarding his creative process, Lamar emphasizes his hands-on approach to production, being involved "in every snare, every 808, every transition, every arrangement." He explains that finding his authentic voice came when he decided to record under his real name instead of K-Dot and committed to telling his own story. Lamar describes a major breakthrough moment in 2010 with
"The Heart Pt. 2", where he focused on conveying raw emotion rather than just technical skill.On the subject of authenticity in hip-hop, Lamar defines a "wack artist" as someone who "uses other people's music for their approval" rather than developing their own voice. He firmly believes ghostwriting is incompatible with claiming to be the best rapper, though he acknowledges writing for others himself, including Dr. Dre.
Commercial Success and Artistic Integrity
Lamar discusses the challenge of balancing commercial success with artistic integrity. With "DAMN.," he aimed to create "a hybrid of my first two commercial albums" that would be more accessible while maintaining his artistic vision. He distinguishes between "ear candy" (accessible music with integrity) and "corny" music, saying he's rejected potential hits that didn't align with his artistic brand. He expresses pride in achieving a #1 record while "still having them raps going crazy."
Collaborations and Influences
The interview covers Lamar's collaborations with major artists. He describes working with Beyoncé as confirmation of the importance of perfectionism, noting her meticulous attention to every aspect of performance. He recalls collaborating with Bono of U2 on the track
"XXX.", saying they had initially worked on a different song before repurposing elements for "DAMN." Lamar also mentions his respect for Future's melodic instincts and acknowledges André 3000 as a pioneering influence in combining rapping and singing.
Social Consciousness and Personal Growth
Lamar discusses his transformative trip to Africa, particularly visiting Nelson Mandela's prison cell, which deeply impacted his perspective and influenced "To Pimp a Butterfly." On American politics, Lamar expresses fatigue with merely talking about problems, preferring to "take action in my own community." He acknowledges his cousin Carl's Hebrew Israelite beliefs (featured on the album "DAMN.") and considers the meaning of white audiences singing along to his racially charged lyrics, seeing it as an educational opportunity about Black American experiences.
Outlook on Life and Future
Despite having experienced depression, Lamar describes himself as currently "cool" though not "content" or "satisfied." He remains "mothafuckin' optimistic" about the future, recognizing his privileged position compared to many childhood friends who are serving long prison sentences. He balances concerns about potential "End Times" by focusing on evolution of the mind rather than physical circumstances, and by dedicating himself to passing along knowledge to future generations.*There may be errors on this page.
