Here Are 50 Surprising Facts About Kendrick Lamar

Kendrick Lamar didn’t go to his first concert until he performed at his own concert. Touring with The Game and Jay Rock back in 2006, Kendrick got to experience a live rap show as he was taking the stage for the first time. “Back then, we didn’t have the money for it,” Kendrick said in an interview from three years ago. Eleven years later, in 2017, his Damn. Tour grossed over 62 million dollars. Needless to say, he’s come a long way.

Born Kendrick Duckworth Lamar on this day (June 17) 33 years ago, K-Dot’s spent the last five years or so either at the top or very close to the top of the rap game. Three of his four solo albums have been certified platinum or above, he’s received two No. 1 slots on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and he’s arguably become the rapper with the best combination of critical and commercial success hip-hop’s seen since Jay-Z was dropping albums every year.

A rapping technician with a deceptive knack for hit songs, the good kid m.A.A.d city rapper’s a flat-out superstar who’s proudly laid bare his life details as he’s worked his way toward immortality. But even with those spurts of autobiographical detail, it’s easy to lose track of his most notable accomplishments and career-defining moments.

Fans might know Kendrick’s signed to Top Dawg Entertainment, but they probably don’t know just how long he’s been locked in. Unless you’ve been there since day one—or even day two or three—you might not remember a mixtape he dedicated to another rap superstar at said rapper’s career apex. For whatever reason, maybe these tidbits have escaped you, so today, XXL offers a refresher.

To celebrate his 33rd birthday, XXL highlights 50 surprising facts about Kendrick Lamar. Peep the facts for yourself below.

 See 50 Surprising Facts About Kendrick Lamar

Top Dawg Entertainment / Interscope Records / Aftermath EntertainmentKendrick Lamar‘s father was a member of the Gangster Disciples gang. K-Dot’s mother told his father that he had to leave the street life, so he did and they moved to Compton, where Kendrick’s Aunt Tina got them a hotel. His father appears on the rapper’s good kid, m.A.A.d city album cover art in a photo on the wall as Kendrick sits in front of it with his uncles.

Charlie Gillett Collection / RedfernsKendrick Lamar was named after The Temptations singer Eddie Kendricks.

Ron Galella, Getty ImagesK-Dot was once in the presence of the late, great Tupac Shakur. Back in November of 1995, when he was just 8 years old, Kendrick sat on his father’s shoulders as he watched ’Pac and Dr. Dre film the video for ’Pac’s comeback single, “California Love.”

Read More: 50 Facts About Kendrick Lamar – XXL | https://www.xxlmag.com/kendrick-lamar-facts/?utm_source=tsmclip&utm_medium=referral