Kendrick Lamar Duckworth american rapper and songwriter. Known for his progressive musical stylings and socially conscious songwriting, he is often considered one of the most influential hip-hop artists of his generation. Born and raised in Compton, California, Kendrick began his career as a teenager performing under the stage name K.Dot. He quickly gained local attention, which led to him signing a recording contract with Top Dawg Entertainment in 2005