Kendrick Lamar is the best rapper alive. He puts a lot of himself in his music, but the real world details are often cloaked beneath layers of metaphor and allusion. His private life is, well, private—a rare thing for superstars of his level. But over the years, Kendrick's interviews, freestyles, and live performances have given us glimpses of what he's like outside the booth. Here are some of our favorite clips of the Compton legend (that are not music videos).
Kendrick Lamar is an overall inspiring person. He often uses his well-thought raps as a tool of inspiration for fans everywhere. Here is a fan-made montage featuring some of the most inspiring quotes pulled from interviews and casual walks through Compton.
The 2018 Grammys Performance
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When K-Dot hits the stage, you know it's going to be unforgettable. In his recent Grammys performance, Kendrick, dressed in black robes, began with a snippet of "XXX" performing alongside U2. Then he launches into the delirious second half of "DNA," "Big Shot," and the final verse of "King's Dead." Each break is accented by a short interlude by Dave Chappelle, the perfect comic equivalent to Kendrick's in-your-face performance. ("Is this okay? CBS? Because it looks like he's singing and dancing, but this young man's taking enormous chances.")
But the finale might be the most arresting moment of the whole set—as he finishes the "King's Dead" verse, Kendrick's backup dancers are sniped off one by one in a sea of red lights and shadows. It's horrifying and mesmerizing in equal measure, and another example of Kendrick's inimitable stage presence. Special shoutout to Kendrick's incredible 2016 Grammys medley, complete with the on-stage bonfire. Sadly, there's no official stream of that performance available online.
Kendrick Lamar vs. Nardwuar
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If you're familiar with Nardwuar interviews, you know the Canadian legend will stop at nothing to plumb the deepest depths of an artist's past. Kendrick Lamar was no different. Nardwuar surprises Kendrick 30 seconds in with an anecdote about Tech N9ne and Dr. Dre, and keeps it up for almost 12 minutes. Kendrick is a great sport, goading Nardwuar on with some "Oooos" as Jay Rock and the TDE crew crack up in the background (you can catch them imitating the Nardwuar theme song at the end of the video).
Other excellent moments: Kendrick telling the story of how his father cranked Big Daddy Kane's music on the car ride home from the hospital after Kendrick was born, the crazy eyes he gives Nardwuar at 3:48, and his reaction to the "Compton Hood Tours" at 7:30. There's even some foreshadowing of Kendrick's collaboration with U2 around the 11:00 mark.
The TDE House at SXSW 2013
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It isn't every day that we get to peek behind the scenes of Top Dawg Entertainment, but this Cribs-style video, does just that at the TDE house at SXSW 2013. We're led around the house by a winking, mostly mute Kendrick and a more conversational Schoolboy Q, and are treated to cameos from Jay Rock, Ab-Soul, and others as the cameras move through the house.
Kendrick Lamar reacts to this interview host
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In this funny video, the interviewer asks Ab-Soul and Kendrick about their post-show activities to which Ab-soul replies "smoke dope." Kendrick on the other hand says "I watch Martin and eat fruity pebbles" to which the host replies "what's Martin?" After trying to jog her memory of the hilarious sitcom starring Martin Lawrence, she confesses she is unaware and Kendrick walks off in disbelief.
Kendrick Lamar Meets Rick Rubin
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This one speaks for itself. Two goats in lawn chairs, relaxing in the sunshine of Rick Rubin's Shangri-La Studios. This GQ interview dropped in 2016, and you can hear ideas for DAMN. already percolating in Kendrick's head. See if you can count how many times he says "DNA."
The 'Variety' Interview from 2017
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A recent interview with Kendrick is rare these days, but in this interview with Variety, he shares some interesting facts that you may not have known about him. From binge-watching Stranger Things to his first musical inspirations, and even what he saw himself doing if he didn't make it in the rap game, this interview with Kendrick is a must-see.
The Rob Markman MTV Interview
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This two-part interview is worth watching in full, but it's the second half of Rob Markman's sit-down with Kendrick that really stands out. The conversation took place soon after the release of To Pimp A Butterfly, and Markman gets into the essence of the album: Kendrick's conversations with God and Lucifer, and more specifically, the depression and suicidal thoughts that manifest on "u."
Kendrick's response gets to the core of his artistic essence. He admits being overwhelmed by the stressors of life on the road, especially while close friends and family are still struggling back home. He discusses a moment of enlightenment in South Africa, where he realized he could either "pimp this shit, or fall victim to it." It's a trip, he says, to be a voice and inspiration for so many, while not feeling as close with family members. The interview also includes the origin story of "How Much A Dollar Cost," and gives a glimpse into Kendrick's mindset going into DAMN.
K-Dot Spittin In Da Whip
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Even though Kendrick's freestyle in this throwback video is absolutely insane (elephants, peanuts, and rapper diets!), we have a different question—is this the minivan?! He rips through a number of beats (the second one is especially dope), flashing glimpses of the relentlessness that would soon come to dominate rap.
Kendrick Interviews N.W.A
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In a candid interview that brings Compton and hip-hop full circle, Lamar interviews the four remaining members of N.W.A about their experiences in the industry. In just under a half hour, Kendrick covers everything from how they maintain their mental in the industry, the roles family plays, and what it was like breaking ground with the late Eazy-E.
Kendrick after the Section.80 drop
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TDE's 'Kendrick Lamar' EP Vlog
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Just a few hours after the Kendrick Lamar EP dropped on December 31, 2009, TDE was vlogging about it. It's 3 A.M. in this little-seen clip, and Kendrick is watching the responses to his latest release roll in. Sounwave and Mixed By Ali are with him too, looking tired but triumphant. Kendrick is humble as always—"I just wrote the raps, man, and try to be as creative as possible... try to stay away from the politics as much as possible"—as he thanks fans who are downloading the EP. He then gets distracted by a new Jay Electronica track, "Exhibit C."
The Evolution of Kendrick Lamar
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A simple concept, well-executed. Hip Hop Central compiled clips of Kendrick rapping from 2004-2017, pulling from freestyles, mixtapes, and albums to give a microcosmic picture of how he became the best rapper alive. He's come a long way.
Kendrick & Zane Lowe after 'DAMN.' Drops
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Shortly after the release of DAMN., Kendrick Lamar sat down with Zane Lowe to discuss DAMN. They were in the California desert—Kendrick would headline Coachella 2017 the next night. Lowe and Kendrick spoke about all the concepts leading up to the development of the project—how the political climate affected the process, how he used DAMN. to look inward, and how religion factors into his lifestyle as a music icon. "We're all spiritual beings," Kendrick says. "And I can't run from that in my music... I always feel as though God used me as a vessel... to share his message."
Kendrick also gets candid about conspiracy theories, his relationship with Mike-Will, and the meaning behind some of his recent tracks. Lowe is a master of letting his guests find and finish their thoughts, and this Kendrick interview is an illuminating look at how Kendrick was thinking when he made DAMN.
The "untitled 03" Performance on 'Colbert Report'
By the time Kendrick Lamar appeared on The Colbert Report in 2014, he had already been dubbed the new leader of West Coast by Snoop Dogg. "Swimming Pools" was all over radio, and GKMC was part of the modern rap canon. But Kendrick wasn't about to go pop. He had new tricks up his sleeve, and one of them involved premiering new, untitled music live on-air.
With this performance, Kendrick made live performance relevant again, and also started to introduce the cast of musicians that would play integral roles to his next release, To Pimp A Butterfly. Anna Wise, Terrace Martin, and Thundercat are all part of his live backing band. He also drew a line in the sand against cultural assumptions and mainstream exploitation with the lyrical content of "untitled 03"—"put a price on my talent, hit the bank and withdraw." Watching this on-air, you could feel the ground shift beneath your feet.
Kendrick's 2016 Grammys Performance
Kendrick’s 2016 performance at the Grammys was a powerful one. Walking on stage as an inmate—an explicit nod to the nightmarish reality of mass incarceration—the rapper launched into a slew of some of the most thought-provoking songs from his catalog: “The Blacker the Berry,” “Alright,” and his debut of “untitled 05.”
It was an explosive exploration of social inequality and the oppression of minorities, artfully dissecting its ramifications on one of music's biggest stages. LL Cool J had teased it as a “very controversial” performance, and while that might not have been the best choice of words, Kendrick’s performance forever challenged the bounds of a certain level of comfort and complacency often present at the Grammys.
Kendrick & Kobe Bryant Talk About Their Evolution to Greatness
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Over the years, Kendrick and Kobe Bryant have put the work in to become legends in their respective fields. In this ComplexCon interview with Jinx, the two discuss what it means to be the best, and the steps it takes to get there. It's great to see Kendrick share insights, but it's equally rewarding to see him respond and soak up game from one of the few other humans who can compare to him when it comes to greatness.
Kendrick Lamar vs. Charles Hamilton
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Another one from the vault. Way back when Charles Hamilton was the most famous person involved, Kendrick grabbed the mic during a friendly battle rap with Hamilton and unleashed one of the stillest freestyles of all time. We mean that literally—once he starts rapping, Kendrick barely moves.
