Kendrick Lamar discusses Debut Mixtape and Inspiration

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

The mainstream is just getting to know Kendrick Lamar, but the young rapper has been around for the past eight years. Putting out music since the age of sixteen, Kendrick Lamar is finally gaining traction. Recently, he released his digital album Section.80. Long before he was releasing albums, of any kind, Kendrick Lamar was releasing mixtapes.

In 2003, Kendrick Lamar released his first mixtape. Describing his first mixtape as raw, uncut, free verse hip hop, Kendrick Lamar said his first mixtape was great. The mixtape was titled Y.H.N.I.C., which was an acronym for Youngest Head Nigga in Charge. Kendrick Lamar said the mixtape built buzz and landed in the hands of Top Dawg, who signed him.

Bringing Compton back to the forefront, Kendrick Lamar looks up to those who came before him. Compton's previous success was Game and before him was NWA. While Game and NWA have served as Kendrick Lamar's inspiration, Kendrick Lamar says Tupac Shakur was among his biggest inspiration. Much like Tupac, K. Dot is inspired by the world around him, when it comes to lyrics.