Kendrick Lamar Duckworth was born on June 17, 1987, in Compton, California. He is an American rapper and songwriter, widely regarded as one of the most influential hip hop artists of his generation.

He began his music career under the stage name K.Dot while he was still in high school. In 2005, he signed with Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE) and later co-founded the hip hop supergroup Black Hippy. His debut studio album, Section.80, was released in 2011 and received critical acclaim.

His rise to prominence came with his second album, Good Kid, M.A.A.D City, released in 2012. The album featured hit singles like "Swimming Pools (Drank)" and "Poetic Justice" and is considered a modern classic.

His third album, To Pimp a Butterfly, released in 2015, embraced jazz and funk influences and was highly praised for its lyrical depth and social commentary. This album earned him several Grammy Awards and solidified his status as a leading voice in hip hop.

In 2017, Kendrick Lamar released his fourth album, Damn, which included the chart-topping single "Humble." This album won the Pulitzer Prize for Music, making Lamar the first non-classical or jazz artist to receive this honor.

His personal life has been relatively private. He is engaged to Whitney Alford, and the couple has two children. Despite his fame, he remains grounded and often speaks about his upbringing in Compton and the influence it has had on his music. He is known for his introspective lyrics and his ability to address complex social issues through his art.

Throughout his career, he has received numerous awards, including 17 Grammy Awards, making him one of the most awarded rappers in history. He has also won several American Music Awards, Billboard Music Awards, and MTV Video Music Awards.

His work on the soundtrack for the film Black Panther earned him additional accolades, including Grammy Awards for Best Rap Performance and Best Rap Song.