Posted by | Ray Cornelius
Congratualtions to hip-hop star Kendrick Lamar!
The 26-year-old emcee from Compton has been named “Rapper of the Year” by GQ Magazine and covers their December issue. Inside Lamar talks about his struggles with fame, his “on-again, off-again” friendship with Canadian rapper Drake and the vision he had of Tupac Shakur. Lamar also rocks some killer fall looks from such top designers as Tommy Hilfiger, Zara, Diesel, Ralph Lauren, and Goirgio Armani.
Check out a few excerpts from his interview as well as photos and a BTS video of Lamar freestyling:
Kendrick Lamar on adjusting to his new found stardom…
“It can be complicated and confusing,” Kendrick says of his life right now, funerals for murdered friends one day, private jets to fashion parties the next. “From my perspective, it’s not just I’m famous—I still live in this world.” And when someone back home needs something, “I still gotta get that phone call.”
Kendrick Lamar on his friendship with Drake…
“Pretty cool.” Shrugs. “And I mean, I would be okay if we weren’t.”
Kendrick Lamar on his Tupac visitation and what the legendary rapper told him…
“I was coming from a late studio session, sleeping on Mom’s couch. I’m 26 now—it wasn’t that long ago. I remember being tired, tripping from the studio, lying down, and falling into a deep sleep and seeing a vision of Pac talking to me. Weirdest shit ever. I’m not huge on superstition and all that shit. That’s what made it so crazy. It can make you go nuts. Hearing somebody that you looked up to for years saying, ‘Don’t let the music die.’ Hearing it clear as day. Clear as day. Like he’s right there. Just a silhouette.”
height=350Photo Credit: Sebastian Kim for GQ Magazine