Kendrick Lamar Duckworth has deemed himself the best rapper of the 2000s. Kendrick’s music is largely about growing up in Compton, California, but the award winning rapper makes music important for everyone.
Kendrick has an impressive resumé while remaining creative. His illustrious voice and techniques give his music a distinct sound. Using different personalities, like “Raging Gemini” featured on “Backseat Freestyle,” creates a sense of deeper emotion in his music. He received the 2018 Pulitzer Prize for Music for his latest album, DAMN in addition to several Grammy, MTV, Billboards, NAACP, and Soul Train nominations and awards. He continues to create excellent clothing, music, and visuals as well as writing his own lyrics.
Keeping a good reputation and advocating for his culture increases his credibility. Whether it’s sneaking in Fox News anchor’s opinions, naming songs, or bluntly speaking about things happening around him like the “Ronald Reagan Era,” Kendrick finds ways to make universal music while campaigning for movements such as #BlackLivesMatter. Kendrick has demonstrated prudence on his journey to fame, avoiding conflict with other artists. He displays characteristics that everyone should look up to. From discrete charity work and donations (that don’t have to be music video material), to using his platform to speak about subjects that are relevant today to his culture (like working to change Compton gang life and violence numbers), Lamar is not only a hard-working artist, but an important person to lead impressionable minds to make positive change.
I believe comparing artists to one another shouldn’t happen, period. That said, Kendrick Lamar is often compared to Drake. I must advocate for the man behind the expertise art such as “The Blacker the Berry”, “FEAR.”, and “Swimming Pools.” A common argument is that Drake has more Top 100 hits and many awards. There’s certainly merit to his argument. In May 2017, he made history on the Hot 100 charts. For eight years straight, he’s had at least one song as lead artist or a feature beginning with his debut single, “Best I Ever Had.” He’s won 105 total awards from 474 nominations. I understand why so many call him the G.O.A.T. From acting, to rapping and singing, to producing, Drizzy keeps himself occupied while keeping his supporters wanting more. He is undeniably one of the most respectable people in the music world. Drake also has an enormous fan base, so his songs and albums immediately jumping to the top of the charts. Drake releases music and features more often than Kendrick does.
While Drake’s chart topping is impressive, it doesn’t prove he’s a better rapper than Kendrick. The difference between the significance of Kendrick and Drake topping the charts is that Kendrick’s music speaks about daring, controversial, and intelligent topics while Drake’s ghostwriter speaks of topics that everyone can enjoy; Drake plays it safe. Despite taking risks, Kendrick tops charts right along with Drake.
The rap game receives lots of respect and being the best artist seems incredibly difficult. That said, Kendrick Lamar deserves the most praise of them all. Maintaining a successful and stable career while becoming the most respected man in the game is incredible. Being able to work this hard, do things for his community, and sustain a healthy relationship with his fiancé all at age 31 is superhuman. Kendrick Lamar is the best rapper of the 2000s and will be remembered for decades.
