Kendrick’s life would change forever while he was still in his mother’s womb. In 1984, Kenny Duckworth was a gang member on the south side of Chicago, but his girlfriend, Paula Oliver, was worried he would either be murdered or eventually sent to prison. Paula demanded that they escape, or their relationship was over. They took a train to California, bringing just two garbage bags of clothes and $500 in savings with them. It took three years of living out of their car, working fast-food jobs, and sleeping in motels to save enough money to buy their first apartment, and Kendrick was born soon after.

During the 1992 Los Angeles Riots, police ruthlessly beat protesters, fired rubber bullets into crowds, and released unrestrained tear gas. A five-year-old Kendrick Lamar watched from the sidelines, and although he may not have entirely understood what was going on at the time, the screaming, shouting, and chaos of the event certainly impacted his childhood, introducing him to police brutality at a young age. 

Lamar describes his childhood as “stable inside but chaotic outside.” He recalls positive stories of dancing to music with his parents, riding bikes, and walking home from school with his mom. He also remembers how his parents emphasized the importance of education and a safe home environment, and they always made sure there was food at home and presents under the Christmas tree. His parents described Lamar as shy and observant, nicknaming him “Man-man” for his maturity at such a young age. Nonetheless, Compton was dangerous, and his parents couldn’t protect him from everything as Lamar witnessed his first murder at only five years old.

Many of Lamar's childhood friends and family recall his love for writing. His first-grade teacher encouraged Lamar to become a writer after hearing him use the word “audacity” correctly. In seventh grade, his English teacher introduced him to poetry. In middle school, he began experimenting with different prose, sparking his passion for songwriting. Although Lamar never published any of his early writings, they did serve as an outlet for feelings, as he said, "You can put all your feelings down on a sheet of paper, and they'd make sense to you. I liked that."

Although Lamar was smart, focused, and motivated, even someone as talented as him was not immune to the cultural pressure of Compton. The temptation to give up his talent and lose himself in the hedonistic lifestyle was ever-present. Luckily, Lamar's friends and family helped steer him in the right direction. In the book The Butterfly Effect: How Kendrick Lamar Ignited the Soul of Black America, the author, Marcus J. Moore, writes, “At age sixteen, he started running with the wrong crowd– partying and drinking alcohol. It was really just kid sh*t, the same thing teenagers had done for generations. But given Kendrick’s neighborhood and family history, his behavior foreshadowed a possible life of crime and gang affiliation. Kenny wasn’t having it; he’d come too far to watch his son fall victim to the same habits, saying ‘I don’t want you to be like me.’” During this time period, Lamar was baptized and converted to Christianity after dabbling in religion as a kid. This moral tug-of-war between the violent streets outside and the goodness inside is the exact theme Lamar would channel into his music. 

Lamar graduated from high school in 2006 as a straight-A student, and soon after his music career began to gain traction as he delved deeper into his craft and honed his unique artistic voice. Lamar, who had been rhyming since his early teens under the moniker K-Dot, started making waves in the underground rap scene of Compton. He released a series of mixtapes independently, showcasing his exceptional lyrical skill and storytelling prowess. His mixtapes, such as "Training Day," garnered local attention and earned him a growing fan base.

Lamar's breakthrough came with the release of his fourth mixtape, "Overly Dedicated," in 2010, which caught the attention of record executives and critics alike. The project showcased Lamar's ability to blend introspective lyricism with infectious beats, earning him praise for his versatility and authenticity. Around this time, he caught the eye of hip-hop heavyweight Dr. Dre, who signed Lamar to his label, Aftermath Entertainment.

In 2011, Lamar released his debut independent album, Section.80, for critical acclaim. The album explored themes of societal issues, racial inequality, and personal struggles, establishing Lamar as a socially conscious voice in hip-hop. His lyricism, coupled with his intricate storytelling and innovative production, set him apart from his peers and positioned him as one of the most promising talents in the industry.

Lamar's major-label debut came in 2012 with the release of good kid, m.A.A.d city under Top Dawg Entertainment, Aftermath Entertainment, and Interscope Records. The album was a commercial and critical success, catapulting Lamar to mainstream prominence. 

Following the success of good kid, m.A.A.d city, Lamar continued to push the boundaries of hip-hop with his subsequent releases. His third studio album, To Pimp a Butterfly (2015), received widespread acclaim for its experimental sound, jazz influences, and politically charged lyrics. The album earned Lamar numerous awards, including the Grammy for Best Rap Album, and solidified his reputation as an innovative and influential artist.

Subsequent albums, specifically DAMN (2017), further cemented Lamar's status as one of hip-hop's brightest stars, earning him critical acclaim and commercial success. In fact, DAMN is the first hip-hop album to win the Pulitzer Prize. 

After the release of DAMN (2017), Kendrick took a five-year break from music, not releasing any new albums and focusing on his family. In 2022, he shocked the world by replying to a tweet claiming “Kendrick Lamar has officially retired,” announcing his new album Mr. Morales & the Big Steppers. The new album was a mixed bag for many, some claiming it was a flop, while others claimed it was a masterpiece. As one of the most respected figures in modern music, Kendrick Lamar's journey from the streets of Compton to global acclaim is a testament to his talent.

Information Retrieved from Wikipedia, The Butterfly Effect: How Kendrick Lamar Ignited the Soul of Black America, and Biography.com.