A biography for Kendrick Lamarhasn’t been written yet.
“I think that's why I put my energy into making music. That's how I get my thoughts out, instead of being crazy all the time.”
“I don't vote. I don't do no voting.”
“I always felt like there was a certain standard of music that I had to do from the beginning, even when I didn't have the recognition that I have now.”
“I think my worst problem is actually living in the moment and understanding everything that's going on. I feel like I'm in my own bubble.”
“I'm just writing, writing, writing. I keep these tablets on me until I'm inspired to go back in and make the music. I never take a break from my pen, because I pride myself on that.”
“My mom's one of 13 siblings, and they all got six kids, and till I was 13 everybody was in Compton.”
“The majority of my interactions with police were not good. There were a few good ones who were actually protecting the community. But then you have ones from the Valley. They never met me in their life, but since I'm a kid in basketball shorts and a white T-shirt, they wanna slam me on the hood of the car. Sixteen years old.”
“I'm selfish.”
“When I'm in the studio, I'm looking for creativity I haven't matched yet, a feeling I haven't felt. It's a high.”
“It's a great, great experience to finally get the reception that you know you rightfully deserve.”
“From the moment I started writing raps, I was always aware of the pressure. I always wanted to live up to how huge Snoop got, how huge Dre got, how huge Pac got. I was always aware.”
“Black and brown pride have been taught in my household for a long time.”
“In all my days of schooling, from preschool all the way up to 12th grade, there was not one white person in my class. Literally zero.”
“If I'm gonna tell a real story, I'm gonna start with my name.”
“I'm constantly thinking.”
“When you go on your Twitter or look down your Timeline and it's all great positivity - I love that. But at the same time, it can really divert you from what your purpose is or what you're trying to do. And I've seen artists get caught up in that.”
“I look at where I'm at today and realize that most of my success is owed to the mentors that was in my life.”