Supplied note - not independently verified
The song is a character study of Lamar's younger self and his aspirations.
View background statusKendrick Lamar
9 catalog entries, grouped by year.
ARTIST ESSENTIALS
Explore Artist EssentialsKendrick Lamar: a curated listening guide
Move between tightly controlled rap performances, uneasy interior scenes and open melodic collaborations, with enough room to hear how Kendrick changes his voice inside a song.
10 selections with release evidence; 4 beyond the yearly lists.
About Kendrick Lamar
Kendrick Lamar is a rapper from Compton whose 2012 album good kid, m.A.A.d city brought his work to a broad audience. His recordings place detailed vocal storytelling within changing musical settings. To Pimp a Butterfly drew on jazz, funk, soul and spoken-word traditions as well as hip-hop, with collaborators including Terrace Martin and Thundercat contributing to its sound. His solo album identity remains distinct from jointly credited recordings and from the individual work of the musicians around him.
Artist background sources
Kendrick Lamar - Recording Academy artist biography
Compton origin and 2012 good kid, m.A.A.d city breakthrough. | Retrieved 2026-10-17
To Pimp a Butterfly - Recording Academy oral history
Firsthand artist and collaborator accounts of jazz, funk, soul, spoken word and hip-hop in the album's production; Terrace Martin and Thundercat contributions. | Retrieved 2026-10-17
Profile reviewed: 2026-10-17. Artist background does not establish a song's creative origin or release date.
2012
2013
Artist background available
Kendrick Lamar is a rapper from Compton whose 2012 album good kid, m.A.A.d city brought his work to a broad audience. His recordings place detailed vocal storytelling within changing musical settings. To Pimp a...
View background status2015
Supplied note - not independently verified
The song was inspired by the character Kunta Kinte from the novel "Roots" and explores themes of power and oppression.
View background status2017
Supplied note - not independently verified
Lamar's heritage and the experiences of African Americans.
View background statusSupplied note - not independently verified
Lamar aimed to create a contrast between humility and braggadocio in hip-hop culture.
View background status2024
Artist background available
Kendrick Lamar is a rapper from Compton whose 2012 album good kid, m.A.A.d city brought his work to a broad audience. His recordings place detailed vocal storytelling within changing musical settings. To Pimp a...
View background statusArtist background available
Kendrick Lamar is a rapper from Compton whose 2012 album good kid, m.A.A.d city brought his work to a broad audience. His recordings place detailed vocal storytelling within changing musical settings. To Pimp a...
View background status2025
Artist background available
Kendrick Lamar is a rapper from Compton whose 2012 album good kid, m.A.A.d city brought his work to a broad audience. His recordings place detailed vocal storytelling within changing musical settings. To Pimp a...
View background statusArtist background available
Kendrick Lamar is a rapper from Compton whose 2012 album good kid, m.A.A.d city brought his work to a broad audience. His recordings place detailed vocal storytelling within changing musical settings. To Pimp a...
View background statusALL 66 ANNUAL COLLECTIONS
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1960-2025. Each year contains 150 selections.