Kendrick Lamar Duckworth is an American rapper and record producer. Lamar is regarded by many critics and contemporaries as one of the most important and influential rappers of his generation, and as one of the greatest rappers of all time.

Lamar began to gain recognition in 2010 after his first retail release, Overly Dedicated.

The following year, he independently released his first studio album, Section.80, which included his debut single "HiiiPoWeR". By that time, he had amassed a large online following and collaborated with several prominent hip hop artists, including The Game, Busta Rhymes, and Snoop Dogg.