A collection of quotes and thoughts by Kendrick Lamar on rock, mirror, change, myself, hate, music, life, success, inspire, fear, generation and experience.
117 Kendrick Lamar Quotes That Teach Us To Live Like A Boss
Kendrick Lamar is a critically and commercially acclaimed American songwriter and rapper. He got the ball rolling as a teenager as K-Dot and released a mixtape that caught the attention of locals and ‘Top Dawg Entertainment’, the indie record label. His first retail release ‘Overly Dedicated’ brought him into the limelight. He later formed a hip-hop group and released singles and albums. Lamar also actively participates in tours and stage shows. He has worked with artists like Rihanna, Talyor Swift, Snoop Dogg and Jay Rock to name a few. He has bagged in 135 nominations and illustrious awards including ‘Teen Choice Awards’, ‘Grammy Award’, ‘MTV Awards’, ‘MOBO Awards’ and ‘The BET Awards’ amongst many. He was also listed among the ‘100 most influential people in the world in 2016’ by ‘Time’. Another huge role model in the hip-hop industry, Lamar’s thoughts, views, songs, music and lyrics are a source of inspiration and empowerment. Let us browse through the popular quotes and sayings by Kendrick Lamar that often challenge the ideologies, status quo and lifestyle of the society.
The opposite of love? Vice. Temptation. The negative influences that we have. The bad energy that comes around us and makes us do certain things. To me, it's always been a war between the two.
Whatever pressure I feel all comes from me, from within. I always was that person who was hard on myself and challenged myself no matter what I was doing, whether it was passing third grade or playing basketball.
What separated me from all my homeboys is the fact that I didn't get caught inside the reality. I was always dreaming about doing something else or going somewhere else.
Once I looked in the mirror and decided this is who I am, and I'm not scared of who I am, and I'm not scared that I can't be like you, and I'm good with just doing me, that's when I found myself, as a man.
And I'm not sure why I'm infatuated with death,
My imagination is surely an aggravation of threats...
Maybe cause I'm a dreamer, and sleep is the cousin of death,
Really stuck in the scheme of wondering when I'mma rest.
Kendrick Lamar
We're all human at the end of the day, making mistakes. But learn from them is the key.
Kendrick Lamar
We all get distracted, the question is, would you bounce back or bounce backwards?
In all my days of schooling, from preschool all the way up to 12th grade, there was not one white person in my class. Literally zero.
Kendrick Lamar
My pops and my mom started playing Marvin Gaye and the Isley Brothers and all these people, but at the same time, they always had Snoop on right behind it in the same mix.
I'm just writing, writing, writing. I keep these tablets on me until I'm inspired to go back in and make the music. I never take a break from my pen, because I pride myself on that.
People are used to music that justifies street culture but something that's not touched on is why these kids act the way they act, live the way they live.
The best thing is to always keep honest people around, because when you have a bunch of yes men around that know that you're making a mistake but let you go on with it, that's when it ruins your mind state as an artist.
Being acknowledged for your work is always a great accomplishment, whether it's people in my city, kids in the street, all the way up to the Grammys.
Kendrick Lamar
I'm selfish.
Kendrick Lamar
The way people look at me these days - that's the same way I looked at President Obama before I met him. We tend to forget that people who've attained a certain position are human.
You can have the platinum album. But, you know, when you still feel like you haven't quite found your place in the world, it kind of gives a crazy offset.
When I talk to kids, I'm really listening. When I do that, we have a little bit of a bigger connection than me being Kendrick Lamar and you being a student. It's almost like we're friends. Because a friend listens.
I got a greater purpose. God put something in my heart to get across, and that's what I'm going to focus on, using my voice as an instrument and doing what needs to be done.
I always was that person who was hard on myself and challenged myself no matter what I was doing, whether it was passing third grade or playing basketball.
My moms always told me, 'How long you gonna play the victim?' I can say I'm mad and I hate everything, but nothing really changes until I change myself.
If I'm gonna tell a real story, I'm gonna start with my name.
Kendrick Lamar
I always thought money was something just to make me happy. But I've learned that I feel better being able to help my folks, 'cause we never had nothing. So just to see them excited about my career is more of a blessing than me actually having it for myself.
My parents were fairly young in the city of Compton. So the things that they played - you know, that was the hip crowd. So I was being exposed to all these ideas, from Big Daddy Kane to Eazy-E to the Bay Area - Too Short, E-40 - you know, back to Marvin Gaye and the Isley Brothers.
I've got an extra-specific story about Dr. Dre. I saw him when I was 9 years old in Compton - him and Tupac. They were shooting the second 'California Love' video. My pops had seen him and ran back to the house and got me, put me on his neck, and we stood there watching Dre and Pac in a Bentley.
From the moment I started writing raps, I was always aware of the pressure. I always wanted to live up to how huge Snoop got, how huge Dre got, how huge Pac got. I was always aware.
