The project debuted at number two on the Billboard 200, and the album was greeted with overwhelming praise from critics and fans alike, ultimately picking up four Grammy nominations.īy expanding upon the themes of Section.80 with the usage of a unique, personal narrative structure, the album explored those themes in a far more complex and captivating manner. Dre’s Aftermath record label shortly after Section.80) and was a resounding success.

The 2012 album served as Lamar’s major-label debut (as he signed to Dr. If 2011’s Section.80 was an unfinished sculpture, complete in form, but lacking refined detail, then Lamar’s sophomore LP, good kid, m.A.A.d City, was the finished masterpiece. There was clearly a concept trying to be developed, but the album just lacked some of the refined touches that would create a more audibly cohesive project. Ultimately, Lamar’s first album was an unfinished sculpture. While it had a mediocre performance from a commercial standpoint, the album received positive reviews and proved to be an auspicious start for one of the genre’s most talented artists. Section.80 is a concept album follows the lives of Keisha and Tammy dealing with the themes of racism, substance abuse, the crack epidemic and morality. Lamar wanted this project to be for the children of 1980s: a reflection of the effects of societal issues on his generation. Featuring vocal contributions from fellow TDE labelmates Schoolboy Q and Ab-Soul, as well as Chicago artists GLC & BJ the Chicago Kid, the soundscape of the album feels raw and unpolished, yet there’s clearly a sense of authenticity. The 2011 debut, Section.80, was released by the then-independent record label, Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE). Lamar will undoubtedly retire as the one of greatest rappers in the history of Hip-Hop, but arguably what’s more important, Lamar will go down as one of the most prominent artistic voices of his entire generation.įrom his first studio album, it was made quite clear that Lamar wanted to not only dissect the issues that plagued his community, but to try and help combat them as well. One of the most recognizable faces of his generation, widely heralded as one of the most talented and lauded professionals in his field, referred to simply as Kendrick Lamar. Twenty-four years later, that inspiration would come to fruition in ways unimaginable, as Kendrick Duckworth would go on to be held in the same esteem as his childhood idol.

Kendrick’s life would change forever at the young age of 8 years old, when he was “inspired” after he saw Tupac Shakur, during the filming of a music video in Compton. Kendrick Lamar Duckworth was born June 17, 1987, in Compton, Cali. Xavier Rhone, Reporter / Social Media Coordinator

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