KENDRICK LAMAR: WHO IS HE?

KENDRICK LAMAR: Let's get it out of the way right now . . . this writer had no idea who he was prior to this article.  Brainstorming led her to research the top ten rappers.  Guess what?  Lamar headed the list!  I am sure you knew that . . . o' well.  Before we embark on what research revealed about Lamar, if you live in the Detroit area, you may want to know when and where you can see him. . .

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Concert Tickets for Kendrick Lamar

Little Caesars Arena

The place is Detroit's Little Caesars Arena.  The date is August 14, 2022 at 7:30 PM.  Get your tickets here.
Prices range from 101.00 to 944.00.  Are you going?

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Five Things to Know About Lamar

1. He Was Born in Compton, CA in 1987
2. His Full Name is Kendrick Lamar Duckworth
3. His Net Worth is 75 Million
4. His Fiancée is Whitney Ashford
5. He Began Dating Ms. Ashford in High School

Answering - "Kendrick Lamar: Who is He?"

Kendrick Lamar​ is a songwriter and rapper who broke into the American spotlight in 2010 with ​"Mixtape O(verly D(edicated.."  He is not only one of the highest paid rappers, he is one of the most popular.  "Mixtape" follows much of the language and social issues many rappers expressed at that time . . . not main street appreciation.  It sold 12,000 copies a year later. 

What did Lamar learn from the Mixtape release?  One can say, he learned that in order to reach a wider audience, he had to make some changes.  So, in 2013, a more mainstream album called "good, m.A.A.d City" was released.  Some declare it to be a classic.  From my perspective, the lyrics describe an angry young man seeking to find not only himself, but a pathway in life that he (himself) can live and respect.  Music can be a means of working through mental confusion.  The song may or may not have been a "life lesson" for Lamar, but it certainly was a "listen my friends and you will hear" advice for his male counterparts.     

Career Highlights

Some of Kendrick's song hits are: The Heart Pt. 2, Keisha's Song, The Recipe, Hood Politics, P&P, R.O.T.C. and She Needs Me.  A list of his awards and successes include:
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• 10 Grammy Awards
• A Pulitzer Prize Album
• He Ranked #9 on Billboard's 10 Best Rappers of All Time List
• ​He has been called one of the most influential rappers of his generation.

Now You Can Answer:  Kendrick Lamar: Who is He?

Chuck Arnold refers to Lamar as "the truth-telling voice and consciousness of hip-hop."  My experience in the rap world is limited.  Therefore, I cannot dispute that analysis.   What I can say is, researching this man has been an informative and exciting journey!   He is inspirational, intuitive and "tuned-in" to America's (problem) cultural issues.  We need all three.

Finally, after a 5-year hiatus, Lamar burst on the scene in May 2022 with the album "Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers."   If it follows the history of Lamar's music, it will be a success.   However, as a biblical reader and writer, the album cover gives me pause. . ..  So, I ask, "Is the crowned head of Lamar symbolizing the suffering of Jesus Christ?"  And . . . is the woman holding the baby trying to relive what it means to hold "the baby in a manger?"