Paula Oliver, Kenny Duckworth – Meet Kendrick Lamar’s parents

Kendrick Lamar is an American rapper, songwriter, and record producer who was born on June 17, 1987. Lamar’s music has been praised for its vivid and passionate portrayal of his life, socially conscious criticism, and use of jazz in commercially successful songs. Lamar is widely recognized as one of the most influential rappers of his generation and one of the all-time greats. Along with his Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE) labelmates Ab-Soul, Jay Rock, and Schoolboy Q, he is also recognized as a part of the hip hop supergroup Black Hippy.

Kendrick Lamar Duckworth was born on June 17, 1987, in Compton, California, to a Chicago-based couple.

Despite not being a member of a gang, he grew up surrounded by them, with his closest pals being Westside Piru Bloods and his father, Kenny Duckworth, a Gangster Disciple.

His mother named him Eddie Kendricks in honor of The Temptations’ American singer-songwriter Eddie Kendricks.

He was raised on public assistance and in Section 8 housing. Lamar observed his idols Tupac Shakur and Dr. Dre recording the music video for their smash track “California Love” when he was eight years old, which proved to be a pivotal experience in his life.

Lamar attended Compton Unified School District’s McNair Elementary and Vanguard Learning Center as a child. His mother said that he was a “loner” until the age of seven, and he has admitted to being quiet and shy in school.

He graduated from Centennial High School in Compton as a straight-A student when he was a teenager.

Lamar started dating esthetician Whitney Alford during his time at Centennial High School. In April of 2015, the pair announced their engagement.

Lamar and Alford had their first child, a daughter, in July 2019. [280] He shares a cousin with NBA star Nick Young and rapper Baby Keem.