Kendrick Lamar stares off into the distance to share his energy with the crowd. | Photo by Ural Garrett for Okayplayer.
Photo Credit: Ural Garrett for Okayplayer.
Photo Credit: Ural Garrett for Okayplayer.
Take an in-depth look into Kendrick Lamar
Vanity Fair has published their latest cover story. The story is centered around Kendrick Lamar, who, despite the fact that he hasn't released a solo album, has had a very eventful year.
The story was written by reporter Lisa Robinson, who followed the rapper around New York City during the TDE Championship tour stops at Madison Square Garden and Jones Beach.
READ:"Yeah, You Did It:" Kendrick Lamar Calls Out Fan For Rapping N-Word On Stage
During the interview, Kendrick talked about winning and accepting the Pulitzer Prize. Kendrick said:
It was one of those things I heard about in school but I never thought I’d be a part of it…It’s one of those things that should have happened with hip-hop a long time ago. It took a long time for people to embrace us — people outside of our community, our culture — to see this not just as vocal lyrics, but to see that this is really pain, this is really hurt, this is really true stories of our lives on wax. And now, for it to get the recognition that it deserves as a true art form, that’s not only great for myself, but it makes me feel good about hip-hop in general. Writers like Tupac, JAY-Z, Rakim, Eminem, Q-Tip, Big Daddy Kane, Snoop... It lets me know that people are actually listening further than I expected.
One of the more interesting moments came when Kendrick was asked about the incident that occurred in Alabama last month when the rapper invited a white fan on stage to rap along. While rapping she started to say the N-word, instead of editing herself. Kendrick had to stop her.
Speaking on that ancient, Kendrick said:
Let me put it to you in its simplest form. I’ve been on this earth for 30 years, and there’s been so many things a Caucasian person said I couldn’t do. Get good credit. Buy a house in an urban city. So many things —"you can’t do that" — whether it’s from afar or close up. So if I say this is my word, let me have this one word, please let me have that word.
WATCH:"It's An Honor:" Kendrick Lamar Accepts His Pulitzer Prize
Kendrick was also asked about Kanye West's slavery was a "choice" comments. Kendrick straight up punted on the question, saying: “He has his own perspective, and he’s on this whole agree to disagree thing, and I would have this conversation with him personally if I want to.”
Kendrick also talked about Colin Kaepernick, the importance of Eminem, the Black Panther: The Album, and more.
Check out the entire interview here.
Source: Vanity Fair
