Kendrick Lamar's Guide to L.A.

The MC walks you through the Compton of his youth, and beyond.

Not Available Lead
Complex Original

Image via Complex Original

Not Available Lead

The MC walks you through the Compton of his youth, and beyond.

This feature is a part of Complex's "good kid, m.A.A.d city" Week.

As Kendrick Lamar said in our cover story, "Iʼm not interested in rapping about what I’m experiencing now because I havenʼt soaked it all in yet. Maybe my next album, when I see more of the world, when I can sit back and think, ‘OK, Iʼve done it’—maybe then I can talk about these things. Now, Iʼm still in Compton.”

Born in 1987, Kendrick was raised in the CPT, the city synonymous with gangsta rap. But his experience of Compton (and the greater Los Angeles area) can't be defined by easy stereotypes.

Walk with the MC through the haunts of his youth, and the places he ventures to now that he's the artist speaking loudest for the West.

As told to Ross Scarano (@RossScarano)

RELATED: Kendrick Lamar's Favorite TDE Songs
RELATED: Kendrick Lamar's 25 Favorite Albums
RELATED: The Making of Kendrick Lamar's good kid, m.A.A.d city
RELATED: Kendrick Lamar: Talkin' 'Bout My Generation (2012 Online Cover Story)
RELATED: Kendrick Lamar Breaks Down His Favorite Cartoons and Cereals (Video) 
RELATED: Kendrick Lamar Covers Complex's "good kid, m.A.A.d city" Week! 

Compton

Not Available Interstitial

Compton Swap Meet

Not Available Interstitial

Lueders Park

Not Available Interstitial

Watts Towers

Not Available Interstitial

Tam's Burger

Not Available Interstitial

Skate Depot and World on Wheels

Not Available Interstitial

Six Flags Magic Mountain

Not Available Interstitial

Centennial High School

Not Available Interstitial

Leimert Park

Not Available Interstitial

Hollywood

Not Available Interstitial

Latest in Pop Culture