Kendrick Lamar Gets Ready For Grammys Performance With Imagine Dragons, Talks About Kanye West

Kendrick gives an update on his sophomore album.

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Complex Original

Image via Complex Original

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Kendrick Lamar sat down with Jeff Weiss for an interview in the January 31 issue of The Hollywood Reporter. The interview came as he was getting ready for his upcoming performance on The Grammys with Imagine Dragons. The two will be performing a mashup of Kendrick's "M.A.A.D. City" and Imagine Dragon's "Radioactive."

During the interview, Kendrick talked about why he prefers to live frugally despite having had such a successful two-year stretch. "I thought I wanted jewelry and cars, but as soon as I got a taste, I realized it wasn't fulfillment," Kendrick said. "A thrill is being as creative as possible and supporting the people I love." He also talked about the importance of representing his neighborhood with authenticity and family life. With part of the interview taking place in Las Vegas, Kendrick talked about his grandparents' move to the city in search of fortune, which they did not get.

Having been able to tour across the country with Kanye West, Kendrick talked about what he learned from Kanye during their free time. "Kanye taught me to never to downplay your ideas," he said. "Those things that people called 'rants' on-stage are real conversations that we had behind closed doors -- about business and how when you get to a certain level people won't want to see you break through because they only see you as a rapper."

As for talk about his follow-up album, Kendrick would not offer any information about what fans can expect. "I'm still seeing what I feel like. When I really catch it, I'll be out there with it."

[via THR]

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