Some say Tupac is the king of Rap, some say Biggie, some will go to say Kendrick Lamar is. And with good reason. His artistry, delivery, flow and intellect, storytelling, etc. Artist Thread presents you a 3 part thread exclusive to the life, comeup and artistry of Kendrick Lamar.

Kendrick Lamar Duckworth was born on July 17, 1987 in Compton,California. His parents moved from the violent gang culture in Chicago, however the 1980s in California, crack trade and west coast gang presence was prevalent and his father being part of the Gangster Disciples gang.

Kendrick grew up on welfare and Section 8 housing, and around the gang activity around the 80s and 90s. And then in 1995, everything changed as he witnessed Tupac and Dr. Dre film the music video for California Love. And since then, deep inside a seed was planted for a GOAT to be

Kendrick Lamar attended McNair Elementary and Vanguard Learning Center in the Compton Unified School District, and grew up very shy and introverted, and afterwards attended Centennial Middle School, becoming an straight A student. However, the surrounding wasnt easy.

Kendrick Lamar ever since from a young age was thoughtful, well-spoken and wrote poems lyrics and by the age of 16, really began that route to start rapping. In 2004, Kendrick used the pseudonym http://K.Dot  and released Youngest Head N**** in Charge his 1st mixtape

Whats the Deal is one of my fav off this, his delivery and smooth flow and insane energy at 16 just demonstrates his raw prowess. Take a listen

Compton Life another one of his, tell me this aint catchy af. Wavy and steady and will let you know he can, and will eat you up in the studio best believe

Biggie, with a brave title like that, Kendrick let you know from the jump he out to be the next king of rap, and how he turned out to be, they knew it then, and they know it now. A classic

This mixtape garnered local attention and sparked interest to a newly founded record label named Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE) and saw his talent and secured Kendrick a recording contract with the label. And in 2005 released a 26 track Mixtape called Training Day with them.

He killed this freestyle to I Shot Ya and last time i seen a teenager spit like this on a song was Foxy Brown. And very different styles, but BOY DID HE EAT THIS UP

Prototype was that kind of song where Kendricks confidence in his skills will let you know. His storytelling skills was also in display and shows a introspective side of him in this as well.

Im the Best Rapper Alive. Thats it. Thats the tweet. Just kidding, but still, he aint even 18 and he outrapping some of yall favorite rappers. Does that remind you of Foxy Brown? It should. I love this confidence at such a young age.

Kendrick Lamar appeared as an opening act for rap veteran The Game alongside other upcoming rappers like Jay Rock. Kendrick Lamar was featured on this song The Cypha and he out for blood. Take a listen

In 2008, Kendrick Lamar appeared on Jay Rock's debut single with Lil Wayne "All My Life" and even though he sang the hook, it was one step closer to garnerning more and more buzz

History for the books, Kendrick Lamar showed to this Charles Hamilton show where he battled rappers who were there, but little did he know, Kendrick gonna let them know whos king

Fear Kdot yall, because Lil Wayne cosigned him and dropped an explosive mixtape fittingly called C4, themed around Tha Carter III in 2009. And a LOT of growth and evolution happened between his previous mixtapes and this one.

Best Rapper under 25? PERIODT! This new alter ego and cadence is very similar to Nicki Minaj's Nicki Lewinsky and Roman Zolanski with nasty flows and in full display his breath control whew

OMG! Did he spazz out or did he deliver insane speed on this track Play with Fire? And fire indeed, burned tire tracks on the street from this insane flow and rhyme scheme

Phone Home really shows the obvious Lil Wayne influences on this track. And one of my personal fav tracks on this. Whew

Kendrick Lamar left http://K.Dot  pseudonym for his actual name and dropped the Kendrick Lamar EP in 2009 and here is where a lot more growth occured as well even at 22.

Let Me Be Me was one of my favorite tracks and in full display shows Kendricks vulnerability and raw real lyrics as well. And tell me what he said aint true even today

Wanna be Heard is another one of my favs both for its message, introspective, representation and all around solid track. Much more down to earth.

I Do this is where Kendrick really fleshed out more of his wellknown signature cadence, and one of my personal tracks. Tell me this cadence aint familiar

Throughout his underground mixtape days, Kendrick Lamar showcased both his hunger, passion and dedication for himself and his people and it will become clear to the future projects from then on. Ill let this video speak for itself

TO BE CONTINUED....