Hip-Hop is clamoring for Kendrick Lamar’s highly anticipated sophomore album, which is due to arrive this year. Amid a late 2014 run of media appearances, the rap star gave some preliminary words in a self-written cover story that appears in the latest issue of XXL.
TDE’s first breakout MC discuses a bevy of topics, including the ever-present “fame monster” and how it affects an artist’s personal and professional life, the pressure of creating another classic and more. You know, the usual, but Lamar’s answers read more candid coming from his own pen.
After the jump, you’ll find 8 things we learned from the K. Dot’s XXL cover story.
—
Photo: YouTube
Dreams of Platinum Plaques
Kendrick Lamar admits that while his goals have change, he initially signed with a major label seeking commercial success. This may be a “No sh*t, Sherlock,” moment, but how often does an artist of his breed in rap actualize those expectations.
Un-bothered
The pressure on Lamar to deliver an album better than or at the very least as good as GKMC would crush most artists if they were in a similar position. However, he claims not to be phased by the XXL piece.
“It’s almost confirmation, like, go in there and challenge yourself just the same way you challenged yourself the first time,” the rapper said, citing comparable expectations to live up to the legacy of mentor and fellow Compton native Dr. Dre.
Words From King Neptune
One would think that K. Dot would be extremely confident in GKMC prior to it releasing, but that was far from the case. As the wordsmith’s nerves got the best of him, it was Pharrell who sang praises of the album after getting an advanced copy.
Real Recognize Real
Needless to say that the record industry is as shady as Lamar’s growing money tree. Fortunately, he’s had some good experiences with peers.
“When I come up to certain artists, artists that I’ve always looked up to, and they can recite my records that wasn’t the single, that puts me in a space where, okay, this is a person I always respect and to get their respect back was almost like confirmation for me.”
The Turning Point
Lamar calls himself a writer, rather than a rapper. But that wasn’t always the case. From age 13 to 21, the Compton native’s goal was to master how to be a rapper. Then music changed, and up and coming artists began to release “mixtapes” that sounded like true albums. During that time, Kendrick Lamar, the writer, was born.
Grammy
In the past, Lamar expressed humility when discussing what many (including Macklemore, the recipient of the Best Rap Album award) would say was snub at the 2014 Grammy Awards. But here, he finally admits that he thought he would win. Especially considering that his debut was critically acclaims sans any no. 1 records.
Clarity
The “fame monster” is something all successful artists combat, but Lamar has managed to find clarity in his experiences. In fact, the TDE star says he knows more about himself now than ever before.
People Look At You Strange, Say You Changed
Like the famed line in Jay Z’s prophetic “Grammy Family” freestyle, Lamar acknowledges how fame affects the ones he loves most.
The moment I start seeing change in people around me, that’s when I know something is a little bit different. Then there’s tension in the air that I probably can’t necessarily deal with at the moment. ’Cause when the industry don’t understand me, and the business don’t understand me, these are the people I can run to. What happens when I can’t run to them?
