Kendrick Lamar

Kendrick Lamar

Educational Background and Location

Centennial High School - Straight A Student, Compton CA

Brief Personal Bio

Lamar's parents had moved from Chicago to Compton (where Lamar was born) to escape Chicago's gang culture even though Lamar's father was associated with the Gangster Disciples gang. Lamar was a good student (straight A's) and he enjoyed writing, he first wrote stories and poems and then moved on to lyrics. His writing/lyrics are inspired by the gang violence he observed and saw in the streets of Compton.

These are a Few of Their Favorite Things

  • Favorite Food – Fruity Pebbles
  • Favorite Rappers – Jay-Z, Tupac Shakur, The Notorious B.I.G., Nas
  • Favorite Color – Black
  • Favorite Song – Theme song to DuckTales

Common Literary Elements/Structure/Themes in their Work

Lamar's music (in his album To Pimp A Butterfly) adds unique presence and dimension as well as a old-school vibe. Lamar also incorporates personal issues into his music. His album "has more sophisticated devices that weave the tracks of this album into one seamless package" and "at the end of every track on this album, Kendrick adds one line to a poem...each added line smoothly transitions into the next song and new theme".

PP Guides/Glossary Terms

http://www.powerpoetry.org/actions/5-tips-using-rhythm-and-rap

http://www.powerpoetry.org/actions/7-steps-addressing-post-racial-myth

http://www.powerpoetry.org/actions/7-tips-writing-rap

http://www.powerpoetry.org/poetry-terms/metaphor

http://www.powerpoetry.org/poetry-terms/imagery

http://www.powerpoetry.org/poetry-terms/synonym

 

What does it mean if you were matched to this artist? Why is it important?

When matched to Lamar, you are matched to an artist who includes many of the similar techinques you put in your piece. For example, in many of Lamar's songs, his lyrics include coming-of-age stories. This may be an element of your poem (or main element). It is important to recognize the similarity you have to this artist because it helps you understand more of the style of your literary work. In this instance, your work would most likely contain techniques that are similar to Lamar's and recognizing this could help to further develop your style and approach at writing poems.

Literary Value

Kendrick's lyrics contain the "basic, essential elements of a novel: a protagonist faced with an antagonistic outer world, it follows the structure of a coming-of-age story—a sub-genre defined by a young person growing with the knowledge, the realization, that there is a larger world that equally responds to and is unconcerned with the young person’s actions".

List of Albums / Artist Spotify Link 

Debut- Section.80, good kid m.A.A.d city, To Pimp a Butterfly, Damn

https://open.spotify.com/artist/2YZyLoL8N0Wb9xBt1NhZWg

 

Social Handles (Links)

twitter: @kendricklamar, instagram: @kendricklamar