Kendrick Lamar is a hip-hop savant from Compton, California, the defining city of West Coast rap. His hardcore rap features strong elements of funk and be-bop, with a lyrical style containing the depth and grace of artful poetry. He has been a fixture on the West Coast scene since his mid-teens, releasing independent tracks that built a strong audience throughout Southern California. Long before Lamar broke through to the big time, he built an impressive Internet following through iTunes and YouTube, and his talent put him in touch with some of the biggest names in hip hop, from Snoop Dogg to Drake and Lil Wayne. But his 2012 release good kid, m.A.A.d. city brought him the attention of the music-buying public. The album debuted at number two on the Billboard charts, and landed three hit singles inside the Top 40. The Grammys quickly certified what critics and fans already knew: Kendrick Lamar has serious skills. In 2014, the 27-year-old rapper earned seven Grammy nominations, including Best New Artist and Album of the Year, but a year later went one better, winning two awards, including Best Rap Song for i. He has continued his hot streak with the number one album To Pimp a Butterfly, which set a Spotify streaming record on its first day with nearly ten million downloads. Kendrick Lamar tasted tremendous pop success as a featured performer on Taylor Swift’s Bad Blood when that song struck gold in the number one spot on the Billboard Hot 100, while he continues touring and cutting albums to make sure he remains one of the “20 Best Rappers Under 20.”
Kendrick Lamar 2015 Tour
Kendrick Lamar takes to touring in 2015 in support of his number one album To Pimp a Butterfly. King Kunta, as he’s known to his fans thanks to his gold single of the same name, holds courts as a high-energy act known for bringing a stream of nonstop songs to the stage, and his 2015 tour is no different. There’s isn’t much banter, but a whole lot of hip-hop hits, including Swimming Pools (Drank) and Alright. Riding a wave of strong sales, Kendrick Lamar is hitting the three biggest cities in the United States: New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago, with other stops planned. The backing band is tight, providing very little room for improvisation, giving fans the straight-up radio versions of the songs they love. Kendrick Lamar holds the spotlight as a center-stage performer, weaving his way through a carefully crafted set list that covers the highlights of his still booming career.