K Dot, Kendrick Lamar, Kung Fu Kenny

I’ve been thinking about Kendrick Lamar—a lot. The Compton native, Pulitzer prize winner, and rap icon has been M.I.A., and his absence is definitely felt. Los Angeles has suffered tremendously the past three years losing Nipsey Hussle, John Singleton, and Kobe Bryant. A trinity gone, in the span of mere months; with us left to pick up the pieces, three holes in our hearts. Contemplating all this I found myself thinking, WHERE IS KENDRICK LAMAR and what does he think about all of this? K Dot is known to let the music speak so I don’t expect an IG takeover from the genius gemini, and I can’t say I blame him for taking a break from the spotlight. It’s ghetto out here and in the era of COVID-19 we’re all just trying to do what we need to survive. Yet still, I can’t help but anticipate what Lamar’s new album will bring. With so much to discuss and the topsy-turvy landscape of life lately, what will it even sound like? What is the next evolution of Kendrick Lamar Duckworth? One thing is for sure, we won’t know until we know, but in the meantime, I’ve revisited the key eras of Kendrick (K Dot, Kendrick, and Kung Fu Kenny,) to see if we can get just a little closer to the light.

WHO IS KDOT?

Back in the day, in the streets of Compton emerged a hungry emcee named K Dot. The young rapper got his jumpstart as Jay Rock’s hype man, but he quickly gained his own following. He was finding his sound , laying experimental tracks like HOC , but his haymakers like the Monster freestyle and introspective tunes like Growing Apart (to get closer) made him palatable to all. All of Los Angeles was bumping Kendrick from your little cousin to your dad. His aura was that of the gifted kid from the neighborhood that everyone knew would go places—and oh the places he went.

I’M KENDRICK LAMAR

From the K Dot era Kendrick evolved to Kendrick Lamar. His evolution was intentional. After shedding the skin of Section 80, he pivoted to the high-energy Good Kid Mad City, then slid into To Pimp A Butterfly. Kendrick Lamar had the demeanor of someone who had been on the block, and around the world. In this era, he told the stories of people who wouldn’t get to tell their own. Songs like Sing About Me Dying and The Art of Peer Pressure amplified the voiceless, and exposed the other side of the lifestyles we often see glamorized. This Kendrick was the one who went to an Ivy League and dropped out right before graduation.

KUNG FU KENNY, HE WAS BORN WITH A VISION

Sensei has entered the chat. There comes a time in every artist’s life when they stop trying to be great and just are —that is this era of Kung Fu Kenny. Kendrick’s fourth album DAMN was culmination of all the skills he’s honed. The music was artful, the raps were masterful, and his performances were electrifying. With nothing left to prove, it was clear why he is one of the best in the game. When Kendrick won a Pulitzer Prize for DAMN, I was peeved. I believe his best work is To Pimp A Butterfly, and once again a Black artist who should be celebrated, was not being celebrated for their best work. But after looking at his legacy big picture, I think it came right one time. He’s evolved leaps and bounds from each project, giving us a new perspective that was always authentic.

As we enter our third year without a new music from Lamar, cope with the loss of three legends, and survive through a global pandemic, I can’t help but wonder what’s next? One thing for sure is that I’m ready to listen.

-XO

DOTCOM

*Post edited May 13th 2022.