June 22, 2024
Jimin, one of the standout members of the globally renowned boy band BTS, has stirred excitement once again with the announcement of his second solo album, titled "MUSE." The announcement was made...
Read moreJune 22, 2024
BLACKPINK’s LISA has just announced her new solo single, “Rockstar,” set to arrive on June 27 at 8 p.m. ET. This highly anticipated track marks her first release since signing with RCA Records...
Read moreJune 22, 2024
The 2024 Libera Awards, held on June 11 at Gotham Hall, marked a significant celebration of the vibrant and diverse achievements in independent music. Presented by the American Association of...
Read moreJune 22, 2024
Khalid Donnel Robinson, known simply as Khalid, has become a defining voice of his generation with his soulful voice, relatable lyrics, and genre-blending sound. Since his breakthrough with the hit...
Read moreJune 21, 2024
Two years after her split from Gerard Piqué, Shakira has achieved significant milestones, including four major hits and a VMAs Vanguard Award, while preparing to release her next album, Las Mujeres...
Read moreJune 21, 2024
Taylor Swift's songwriting prowess has garnered admiration from numerous celebrities, who each hold special attachments to different tracks from her extensive catalog. Ryan Gosling, for instance...
Read moreJune 21, 2024
Celine Dion, one of the most iconic voices in the music industry, has faced a series of health challenges in recent years that have significantly impacted her singing career. Known for her powerful...
Read moreJune 21, 2024
Don Toliver, the Houston-born maestro of atmospheric melodies and genre-blending soundscapes, is once again redefining the boundaries of music and immersive experiences with his latest album...
Read moreJune 21, 2024
In the ever-evolving landscape of pop music, Sabrina Carpenter is a name that’s resonating louder with each passing day. This week, Billboard's Trending Up newsletter highlights Carpenter's...
Read moreJune 21, 2024
Selena Gomez has again raised the possibility of stepping away from the music industry, less than three years after contemplating retirement. During an appearance on the SmartLess podcast with...
Read moreJune 21, 2024
Throughout 2024, The Beatles have been consistently appearing and reappearing on the Billboard charts, with their presence often varying by week and by album. While the legendary band often charts...
Read moreJune 21, 2024
Badshah, born Aditya Prateek Singh Sisodia on November 19, 1985, has emerged as one of the most influential figures in the Indian music industry. Known for his unique style that blends hip-hop with...
Read morePitchfork
In the ever-evolving landscape of modern music, Kendrick Lamar stands out as a true musical genius. With a unique blend of deep and meaningful lyrics, masterful storytelling, and innovative production, Kendrick has become one of his generation's most influential and critically acclaimed artists. His impact on hip-hop and beyond is undeniable, making him a cultural icon for a new era.
Born on June 17, 1987, in Compton, California, Kendrick Lamar Duckworth grew up in a neighborhood infused with gang violence and social struggles. Nonetheless, he found peace in creating music early, and his talent quickly began to shine. Kendrick was influenced by many artists such as Tupac Shakur, Dr. Dre, and other legendary hip-hop artists.
He released his debut album titled “Section.80” on July 2nd, 2011. This project received a lot of positive recognition from listeners and other big hip-hop artists. Kendrick’s lyrical ability and his thought-provoking content became evident as he dove into subjects such as racial inequality, self-discovery, and the struggles of the modern African-American community. It would be his next album “good kid, m.A.A.d City” that would encapsulate Kendrick as a mainstream artist. This project contained songs such as “Swimming Pools (Drank)” and “B*tch Don’t Kill My Vibe”, which are the most popular songs on the album, with both of them being worldwide hits.
He continued to release albums such as “To Pimp a Butterfly” in 2015, and “DAMN.” in 2017. “DAMN.” included songs such as “DNA” and “HUMBLE” that solidified Kendricks's place in the music industry. These albums put Kendrick in a place where people started to include his name in the debate of which rapper is the greatest of all time. In 2018 he released an album for the Black Panther movie, which had contributions from many artists such as SZA, Future, and Travis Scott. He proceeded to go on a hiatus from releasing music for 4 years, which left everyone wondering what happened to Kendrick, and if and when he would release new music.
Kendrick returned from his break by releasing “Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers” after years of speculation and anticipation. As with many of Lamar's projects, it is clear that there is a deeper meaning behind the title, and fans are eager to delve into the themes and narratives explored throughout the album.
This most recent album solidified Kendrick Lamar as a legend in the rap game as he has proven that he can go years without releasing music, and as soon as he does, listeners are ready to see what he has up his sleeve.