7 Things We Learned From Kendrick Lamar In i-D Mag - Page 5

True to heart Hip-Hop fans recognize Kendrick Lamar as the best MC in the rap game. And though he hasn’t experienced the commercial success of a Drake, he’s still considered by most to be light years ahead of the King to the North (sorry Drizzy).

Sitting down for an interview with i-D magazine, the Compton, LA rapper opens up about how he goes about creating his art, how Donald Trump helps him in his efforts, and why he can rest easy when his career is all said and done.

Here are the 7 things we learned from Kendrick Lamar in i-D.

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Photo: Craig McDean courtesy of i-D

https://www.instagram.com/p/BW7qMR-l-6W/?taken-by=kendricklamar

1. Orange Inspiration

Needless to say, K. Dot isn’t happy about who’s currently occupying the Oval Office but does admit that Trump’s presence in the White House is “just building up the fire in me. It builds the fire for me to keep pushing as hard as I want to push.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/BXEad7kF6E8/?taken-by=kendricklamar

2. Sober State Of Mind

Unlike ninety some odd percent of rappers who get lifted off of their substance of choice when they create their music, Kendrick says he likes “to make music in the most sober mind as possible, that way I know it’s me making it, not just the liquor!”

https://www.instagram.com/p/BWfxTQSlg2c/?taken-by=kendricklamar

3. Best Verse Ever

Kendrick feels that “Fear” is home to the best verse he’s ever written because “it’s completely honest.” His fans might want to debate him on his own opinion when it comes to that.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BWfyxw2lf0q/?taken-by=kendricklamar

4. Nah Men

Luckily for him, KD doesn’t surround himself with “yes men” and has brutally honest friends who will tell him when he’s recording “garbage” in the studio. If only more rappers in the game had homies like that.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BWvKHs7ljuN/?taken-by=kendricklamar

5. Meditation

To get in the right state of mind to approach his day, K. Dot meditates for 30 minutes which he uses for just “reflecting on the moment.” It helps him gain perspective on everything going on in his life.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BWf0A5EF5sY/?taken-by=kendricklamar

6. Resistance

Kendrick knows that fan favorite cut “Alright” inadvertently became part of the soundtrack to the “Resistance” and accepts the responsibility that comes with being an entertainer/voice of the people.

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7. Retire In Peace

Once his calls it a career Kendrick Lamar states that he’ll have no regrets saying “I can rest peacefully knowing that I contributed to the evolution of this right here, the mind.” Indeed he has. If he hasn’t then you’re not listening right.

Read the full i-D Vice cover story right here.