Kendrick Lamar has always taken pride in being a rapper that’s different from the rest of the crowd. The ‘King Kunta star is a firm believer that staying true to yourself is the most essential principle any artist can undertake.
His road to the top has been different to a figure like Drake. Lamar has an impetus on making full albums that tell powerful stories instead of chasing hit singles, and he wouldn’t have it any other way. He has no ambitions to become the most-streamed artist on Spotify, and any accolade is just a bonus rather than his goal.
The New Yorker spoke at the Forbes Under 30 Summit in Boston back in 2018 and provided an eye-opening account of how he has navigated his way to success.
Kendrick also revealed to those in attendance the poignant words of wisdom that he handed out to younger artists he took under his wing at TDE. After being mentored himself when he made his way up the ladder, Lamar believes it’s his duty to do the same.
“Don’t ever reach, always do something that you feel good about,” he told the crowd. “Don’t do it because you want to get signed or you want a distribution deal because, at the end of the day, that doesn’t last. What lasts is something that is 100% true to yourself.
“You get so twisted and tangled in singles and how many streams the other cat gets, you lose vision of the creative process and this is something I try to mentor to the other artists.”
Meanwhile, in a conversation with Hot 97 in 2014, when Kendrick’s career was still on the upwards trajectory, the rapper spoke about the importance of understanding the importance of your voice and being a positive influence on your fans. “I hated the word role model, but you can’t run from it,” he explained. “When I come to these shows and see these kids saying, ‘We live by your music, and what you’re talking about’ — that’s something that you’ve got to accept.
“I could sit here and talk slick all day on record, but who is going to relate to it when they go back to this crazy world and feel like they don’t love themself enough to stay humble and not commit suicide.”
Few people understand the weight of responsibility that rests on their shoulders quite like Kendrick, and the stellar way he’s carried himself throughout his career is the blueprint that artists should attempt to follow.
