Are we on track?

What really is there to say about this Cali native? Well... There’s actually quite a lot. Where shall I start? How about his debut studio album Section.80? I know that this is no where the MC originates, but this is where really started to get a big buzz. Kendrick’s first effort in the studio as an independent artist was a nice calm sound, fairly contradictory to what we are hearing nowadays, with him threatening every rapper out there. Well, I say that it’s calm, but the subject matter is actually quite harsh. Kendrick follows the lives of Tammy and Keisha, explicitly on Tammy’s Song (Her Evils) and Keisha’s Song (Her Pain). Kendrick talks about what it was like for all the 80’s babies out there. Now I can’t really relate as much, being a 90’s baby, but the album really helps me understand the life of a kid in the 1980’s. Kendrick talks about everything from prostitution (Keisha’s Song) to drug addiction (A.D.H.D). It’s a concept album that is heard read cover to cover.

The album was pretty well received and racked up some pretty good numbers for an album that had virtually no promotion as was sold independently. Kendrick ended 2011 pretty well with a few guest verses here and there, but what really gained him an audience was Buried Alive Interlude. Drake recognised the kid had talent, so he gave Kendrick an interlude all to himself on Take Care. Lamar showcased his skill with words as well as his immaculate flow. Lamar carried on giving out some guest verses for quite a while. Then February 2012 hit and Kendrick released a banger that still goes hard today. Cartoons and Cereal was leaked and featured MMG artist Gunplay. It was supposed to be on the album, but with the amount of samples that it had, it would have taken years and ridiculous amounts of money to clear. But luckily for us, he still uses it to close out his concerts!

K.Dot was quickly building a name for himself and finally, in March, he inked a deal with Interscope and Aftermath, relinquishing his independency. It was only right that he signed to the veteran of West Coast rap, Dr. Dre. About a month later Kendrick released a track with Dre that had a distinctively West Coast sound to it. I should say that Kendrick doesn’t really have a West coast sound to his music. The way he utilises different flows and his lyrics makes him sound more like a rapper straight outta NY rather than Compton. But nevertheless, he released a song that furthered his reputation. We were told that a rather nostalgic video would be released to accompany the video, but almost 2 years later, and it still hasn’t seen the light of day. We’re still waiting, Kendrick. Any time now.

Kendrick released the first single, Swimming pools, for his Major Label Debut Album, Good Kid, m.A.A.d City in July. For a fairly small rapper, the song was welcome to much success having peaked at number 17 and spreading through the hip hop world like wildfire. A couple months went by where we heard glimpses of Kendrick on guest verses which helped build the hype for his album. And finally, on October 22^nd Kendrick unleashed the beat that is Good Kid, m.A.A.d City. (NP: ‘m.A.A.d stands not only for My Angry Adolescence Dived, but also My Angels on Angel Dust. Go look up angel dust kids. Lamar gave us another concept album with this gem. He said in an interview that this is literally the life in a day of Kendrick Lamar. One day. Kenny said that this will be one of the greatest rap albums for about 10 years. I’m starting to agree with him. I haven’t had this much love since The Black Album came out, in 2003. Everything from the subject matter, to the flow, to the lyrics, to the production. It’s all amazing. This album is like the perfect story of a kid that was raised in Compton. (For those who don’t know, it’s the hood). If you haven’t heard this album, go listen to it. A few times. Then you’ll really appreciate it. If you’re already a fan of his work, go listen to it again. It just gets better every time.

Around the same time the album dropped, Kendrick gave us a little bonus track: The Heart Part 3. If you’ve heard the first two parts then you know what this song is all about. It pretty much gives you a breakdown of everything that is on Kendrick’s mind. It’s an amazing song, which I think doesn’t get as much credit as it deserves. Maybe because it was a sidetrack or something, I dunno. A couple weeks after the album came out, Shyne spoke out and was the first to criticise the album. It was actually a pretty petty comment, saying that the production was sloppy and the beats didn’t go well with one another, which is so contrary to popular opinion, that everyone just disregarded him. But anyway, Kendrick went on to spit some fire over a J. Cole produced track, The Jig Is Up. He calls out Shyne and made it pretty comical saying “I pray to God this beat is good enough for Shyne/If not, J. Cole your shit is traaaaash/Well, at least my opinion made everyone laugh!” Eeesh. Harsh.

Since then Kendrick has notched up a fair share of accolades. He was at the top of everyone’s list. He’s won awards spanning from Best Newcomer to AOTY.  This guy really has made a name for himself.  Earlier this year, he released a Remix to the song BDKMV which featured the GOAT, Jay Z. The song was hot. Let me just say that. The flame on Kendrick started to flicker as Drake took over 2013, but he wasn’t just done yet. Kendrick dropped the hottest verse of the year on Big Sean’s song Control. Everyone one of you know about that song. He fucked up the game in about 2 minutes and 10 seconds. Social media exploded. It was clear that Kendrick Lamar is not going to settle for second place.

We’re on track. Watch out guys.