Before The Fame: 10 Dope Kendrick Lamar Moments Pre-GKMC
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Today (October 22), marks the first anniversary of Kendrick Lamar‘s critically acclaimed debut good kid, m.A.A.d city.
Since then, we’ve seen the West Coaster go from a promising MC to become one of the game’s undeniable superstars. If Drake is numero uno, then K. Dot is a clear second choice for the top out. And that’s merely because of his Toronto counterpart’s accomplishments.
With a platinum album — he’s one of four new artists achieve this feat in the past five years — and the bars to boot, TDE’s first to make it is on a trajectory to rise even higher.
Early adopters have been privy to the Kendrick’s talents for some time. For those who weren’t, we provide a trip down memory lane that shows some of the talented wordsmith’s dopest moment pre-good kid, m.A.A.d city. In fact, these predate both Section.80 and O(verly) D(edicated) in most cases.
Relive the good kid’s come up here.
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Photo: TDE
K. Dot Re-Introduces Himself As Kendrick Lamar (2009)
This marked the end of K. Dot and the beginning of Kendrick Lamar as we know him. Peep his pops in the background.
Compton State Of Mind (2009)
Since the beginning, the SoCal rapper has properly put on for his side of town.
Black Hippy Cyper (2010)
Kendrick’s speculated jabs at Drake and Papoose in the BET Hip-Hop Awards Cypher may got a rise out of most, but this wasn’t the first time he or Black Hippy as a whole entered the forum of true emceeing in unison.
Kendrick Impersonates Wiz Khalifa (2011)
Prior to striking it big, many became familiar with the TDE rapper because of this video showing an uncanny impersonation of the Taylor Gang rapper’s flow and cadence.
K. Dot Talks Kendrick Lamar EP, Hears Jay Electronica’s “Exhibit C” For the First Time. (2010)
The Compton native, his producer Soundwave, and engineer Ali discuss his lengthy EP. Be sure to watch for the end, too.
Kendrick Reveals His Album Title & U.O.E.N.O. It (2011)
Imagine being an MC who just happens to be Dr. Dre’s newest protege and getting to speak on your deal with your local news station. Now you can see why Kendrick is smiling like a kid in a candy store.
Also, hear how newscaster Lu Parker refers to him during the interview. As you can see, Kendrick’s story was preordained.
Kendrick Rhymes On Kanye West’s “Monster” (2010)
Early in his career, K. Dot would find space in a song that was popular in the moment and loop it up to rhyme over it. None of these tracks released as timely as his take on Yeezy’s “G.O.O.D. Friday” track.
The Heart, Pt. 2 (2010)
This is raw emotion. Nothing more, nothing less.
Kendrick Floats On Drake’s Take Care (2011)
Before trading slanderous bars became a pastime for Drizzy and the TDE MC, the former presented the latter with a grand opportunity on his highly anticipated second LP.
West Coast OG’s Pass K. Dot the Torch (2011)
Do you see those tears, b?
