Kendrick Lamar is currently one of the most prominent West Coast rappers in hip-hop. The emcee is known for his lyrical ability, and the Compton native has put LA back on the map. Although Californian figures such as Tyler The Creator exist in the mainstream, Lamar is one of the few Los Angeles rappers from the inner-city’s projects.
From Dr Dre to Eazy-E and The Game, Lamar’s neighbourhood has birthed hip-hop icons for years, and since he was a child, the ‘Humble’ artist has been immersed in West Coast rap.
Although the Section.80 emcee has previously professed his love for lyricists such as Jay-Z and Nas; he undoubtedly idolised figures from his own neck of the woods as a teen and looked up to those he had a connection to.
Over the years, many have chronicled the struggles of African-Americans living in LA. From Ice-T to Ice Cube, Snoop Dogg and others, ever since the 1980s, hip-hop has grown to love and embrace the existence of West Coast rap music and the incredible artists the region has produced.
That said, the world has grown to love, cherish and even deify Kendrick Lamar since his breakout in 2011, and his take on West Coast hip-hop has captured the attention of many over the years, including Dr Dre, who signed him to Aftermath Entertainment. As such, in an interview with Complex, Lamar unveiled some of his favourite albums from the region.
You can see his picks below.
Kendrick Lamar’s favourite West Coast albums:
- Ice Cube, Death Certificate, (1991)
- DJ Quik, Quik Is The Name, (1991)
- Dr. Dre, The Chronic, (1992)
- Snoop Dogg, Doggystyle, (1993)
- 2Pac, Me Against The World, (1995)
- Tha Dogg Pound, Dogg Food, (1995)
- 2Pac, All Eyez on Me, (1996)
- 2Pac, Makaveli, (1996)
- DJ Quik, Rhythm-al-ism, (1998)
- E-40, Charlie Hustle, (1999)
- Kurupt, Tha Streetz Iz a Mutha, (1999)
- Dr. Dre, 2001, (1999)
- DJ Quik, Balance & Options, (2000)
