A stunning, in-depth look at the power and poetry of one of the most consequential rappers of our time. Kendrick Lamar is one of the most influential rappers, songwriters and record producers of his generation. Widely known for his incredible lyrics and powerful music, he is regarded as one of the greatest rappers of all time. In Promise That You Will Sing About Me, pop culture critic and music journalist Miles Marshall Lewis explores Kendrick Lamar’s life, his roots, his music, his lyrics, and how he has shaped the musical landscape. With incredible graphic design, quotes, lyrics and commentary from Ta-Nehisi Coates, Alicia Garza and more, this book provides an in-depth look at how Kendrick came to be the powerhouse he is today and how he has revolutionized the industry from the inside.

This “smart, confident, and necessary” (Shea Serrano, New York Times bestselling author) first cultural biography of rap superstar and “master of storytelling” (The New Yorker) Kendrick Lamar explores his meteoric rise to fame and his profound impact on a racially fraught America­—perfect for fans of Zack O’Malley Greenburg’s Empire State of Mind. Kendrick Lamar is at the top of his game. The thirteen-time Grammy Award­-winning rapper is just in his early thirties, but he’s already won the Pulitzer Prize for Music, produced and curated the soundtrack of the megahit film Black Panther, and has been named one of Time’s 100 Influential People. But what’s even more striking about the Compton-born lyricist and performer is how he’s established himself as a formidable adversary of oppression and force for change. Through his confessional poetics, his politically charged anthems, and his radical performances, Lamar has become a beacon of light for countless people. Written by veteran journalist and music critic Marcus J. Moore, this is much more than the first biography of Kendrick Lamar. “It’s an analytical deep dive into the life of that good kid whose m.A.A.d city raised him, and how it sparked a fire within Kendrick Lamar to change history” (Kathy Iandoli, author of Baby Girl) for the better.

Kendrick Lamar has established himself at the forefront of contemporary hip-hop culture. Artistically adventurous and socially conscious, he has been unapologetic in using his art form, rap music, to address issues affecting black lives while also exploring subjects fundamental to the human experience, such as religious belief. This book is the first to provide an interdisciplinary academic analysis of the impact of Lamar’s corpus. In doing so, it highlights how Lamar’s music reflects current tensions that are keenly felt when dealing with the subjects of race, religion and politics. Starting with Section 80 and ending with DAMN., this book deals with each of Lamar’s four major projects in turn. A panel of academics, journalists and hip-hop practitioners show how religion, in particular black spiritualties, take a front-and-center role in his work. They also observe that his astute and biting thoughts on race and culture may come from an African American perspective, but many find something familiar in Lamar’s lyrical testimony across great chasms of social and geographical difference. This sophisticated exploration of one of popular culture’s emerging icons reveals a complex and multi faceted engagement with religion, faith, race, art and culture. As such, it will be vital reading for anyone working in religious, African American and hip-hop studies, as well as scholars of music, media and popular culture.

Kendrick Lamar Duckworth was born on June 17, 1987, in Dominguez Hospital to Kenny Duckworth and Paula Oliver. Nestled in the tumultuous confines of Compton California, doctors and nurses at Dominguez Hospital had no idea what force they had just ushered into the world. At the time of Kendrick's birth, Kendrick's parents had recently moved to Compton from Chicago in an effort to raise Kendrick in a culture other than the one that they had grown up in. This precaution proved to be futile however as drug violence seemed to follow them all the way to the West Coast. Kendrick's parents had recently had a big disagreement on the route of life Kendrick's father was taking. Faced with the ultimatum of making a conscious effort to change his ways or lose his wife and son, Kendrick's father complied with the move and attempted to start fresh in Compton. Back in Chicago, Kendrick's father Kenny had been an integral member of the infamous street gang named the Gangster Disciples. Following in his brother's footsteps, a few of Kenny's brothers were even members of the Bloods as well as the Crips. Kendrick's mother came from a family of 13 children, all of whom had six children themselves. This tight-knit family would all live in Compton till Kendrick was 13. Named for Eddie Kendricks, the lead singer of The Temptations, Kendrick Lamar found his musical background in his younger years thanks to his mother. The younger years for Kendrick were not easy, however, and his family found themselves in financial ruins. Given few other options of financial reprieve, along with the skyrocketing standard of living in Compton, Kendrick's parents were forced to apply for welfare while maintaining their residency in section 8 housing. These conditions would endure for all of Kendrick's years under his parent's roof. These conditions, however, would only add to the drive Kendrick would experience later-a drive that forced Kendrick to work hard, unless he wanted to return to the dismal living conditions his family had endured.

This biography highlights the life and accomplishments of Kendrick Lamar. Readers learn about Lamar's early life, inspiration to pursue music, and successes as a hip-hop artist. With striking photographs and thought-provoking sidebars, the book brings to life Lamar's protest music, musical influences, and social justice work. Features include a timeline, glossary, references, websites, source notes, and an index. Aligned to Common Core Standards and correlated to state standards. Essential Library is an imprint of Abdo Publishing, a division of ABDO.

Journalist Soren Baker’sThe History of Gangster Rap takes a deep dive into this fascinating music subgenre. Foreword by Xzibit Sixteen detailed chapters, organized chronologically, examine the evolution of gangster rap, its main players, and the culture that created this revolutionary music. From still-swirling conspiracy theories about the murders of Biggie and Tupac to the release of the film Straight Outta Compton, the era of gangster rap is one that fascinates music junkies and remains at the forefront of pop culture. Filled with interviews with key players such as Snoop Dogg, Ice-T, and dozens more, as well as sidebars, breakout bios of notorious characters, lists, charts, and beyond, The History of Gangster Rap is the be-all-end-all book that contextualizes the importance of gangster rap as a cultural phenomenon. “History has so often been written by the victors, that you very rarely ever get the real story behind anything. So it’s really important to hear from the people that were there, which is exactly what Soren Baker shares in this book. He writes about it and he’s honest about it.” —The D.O.C.

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