Kendrick Lamar

Released: June 1, 2005

Featuring: Dave Free

Songwriter: Kendrick Lamar

[DJ Dave]
Oh, okay, okay. I understand that. Okay, now, for uhh people who don't know, where'd you grow up at, man? Like, you know, what type of city. What area?

[Kendrick Lamar]
Uhh, Compton. Straight Compton. No sides. No - just - niggas used to roll down Rosecrans, we used to be bumpin' that - pops used to be bumpin' that NWA shit. And, uh, shit - you know, "cruise down that street in my 6-4." We wasn't in no 6-4 though. We was in the brown dukie van and shit, same color as dukie

(laughs)

Know what I'm talkin' bout? But uh, yeah, we'd bump that shit all day

[DJ Dave]
Oh, okay. And what influenced you to become, you know, a rapper?

[Kendrick Lamar]
You know, the typical person would say, uh, "other rappers." I'mma be straight up honest, when I found out I was dope - Next question...

Kendrick Lamar Duckworth (born June 17, 1987) is an American rapper and songwriter from Compton, CA.

He first gained major attention after the release of his 2010 mixtape O(verly) D(edicated). In 2011, his album Section.80, released exclusively through iTunes, instantly ranked as one of the top digital hip-hop releases of the year. In 2012, he crossed over to mainstream audiences with his major label debut, good kid, m.A.A.d city, which was widely regarded as an instant classic. In 2015, he released To Pimp a Butterfly to widespread acclaim. The album debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 Albums Chart. The following year, untitled unmastered. was released by surprise. In April of 2017, Kendrick released DAMN. on Good Friday.

Known for his storytelling, imagery, wordplay, passion and varied song structures, Kendrick brings hard-hitting lyricism with narratives to the West Coast, not traditionally known for its lyricists.

more tracks from the album

Training Day

From the album

Training Day (2007)

Kendrick Lamar popular songs

Interview with DJ Dave Part 4Kendrick Lamar

Kendrick Lamar

Training Day