Subscribe
The Daily Grind Video
CLOSE

West Coast rapper Kendrick Lamar might be a semi-new kid on the block, but according to The New York Times Magazine, he is a wise and seasoned man in a young kid’s body. Only a year after the release of his platinum album, good kid, m.A.A.d cityKendrick has managed to establish himself as a strong rapper and potential king of the rap game.

The Compton native has finally hit the level of success he deserves, being recognized by the Grammys with seven nominations, including Best Rap Album. But he doesn’t want to stop there. The magazine discusses K.Dot’s interest in pushing the rap game forward in a more competitive nature. These thoughts sound reminiscent of his guest appearance on Big Sean’s “Control,” wherein he took jabs at others in the rap game and ultimately named himself the “King of New York.” XXL Magazine named his verse “the verse that woke up the rap game,” and that’s exactly what he intended.

“Everybody that’s in the industry has lost their edge,” he said. “There’s really no aggression. You gotta say things particular, and everything is so soft.”

But Kendrick isn’t all intensity, all the time. He also has a very laid back and wise persona. Even in all his wisdom though, he sometimes struggles with the aspects of fame. He describes growing up as a kid in Compton and some of the things he witnessed, including drugs and poverty, discussing the common temptations as a kid and how they translate to him in his current state of fame.

“At 16, temptation can be money: I know money, I want money. Or women: I know women, I want women. Or drugs: I know drugs, I want drugs. Temptation is just the feeling that you’re the most independent person on planet Earth. That you know everything. That’s something that we all go through as a kid. Now, this lifestyle that I’m in, the same thing exists! But it’s 10 times worse, because everything is at my disposal. When you’re in the limelight, you can get anything you want.”

There are understandably new difficulties that come with being a well-known name, but Kendrick has handled them pretty well. Yet, it’s very hard to compliment the rapper for the way he handles himself or for his obvious skills for that matter.

“Whenever I get good news about anything… man, I guess I’m bad at receiving compliments. Like yesterday with the nominations, things like that — it made me feel like I had to be in the studio because I had to do it, not again, but… It just bothers me. I don’t want to be something that just comes and goes.”

SOURCE: New York Times | PHOTO CREDIT: Tumblr

The Greatest Rappers Of All Time (PHOTOS)
Global Grind "G" logo
0 photos