Kendrick Lamar quotes

Sometimes you have the trends that's not that cool. You may have certain artists portraying these trends and don't really have that lifestyle, and then it gives off the wrong thing. And it becomes kinda corny after awhile. It's really about keeping hip-hop original and pushing away the corniness in it.

People have to go through trials and tribulations to get where they at. Do your thing - continue to rock it - because obviously, God wants you here.

I've been called a recluse. There's definitely truth in that. I like to spend time alone.

My moms always told me, 'How long you gonna play the victim?' I can say I'm mad and I hate everything, but nothing really changes until I change myself.

My mom's one of 13 siblings, and they all got six kids, and till I was 13 everybody was in Compton.

I had to come from something, come from a place that was negative and positive but the majority of it is a negative place.

I look at where I'm at today and realize that most of my success is owed to the mentors that was in my life.

The majority of my interactions with police were not good. There were a few good ones who were actually protecting the community. But then you have ones from the Valley. They never met me in their life, but since I'm a kid in basketball shorts and a white T-shirt, they wanna slam me on the hood of the car. Sixteen years old.

I used to consider the listener. But now I'm in a space where, if I'm not inspired, I can't really do the music. I can't feel it.

It's a great, great experience to finally get the reception that you know you rightfully deserve.

It's a great, great experience to finally get the reception that you know you rightfully deserve.

God to me is love.

We're in the last days, man - I truly, in my heart, believe that. It's written. I could go on with biblical situations and things my grandma told me. But it's about being at peace with myself and making good with the people around me.

I've been called a recluse. There's definitely truth in that. I like to spend time alone.

My word will never be as strong as God's word. All I am is just a vessel, doing His work.

I've been called a recluse. There's definitely truth in that. I like to spend time alone.

As long as my music is real, it's no limit to how many ears I can grab.

Since day one, since the first time I touched the pen, I wanted to be the best at what I do.

This is the thing about hip-hop music and where people get it most misconstrued: It's all hip-hop. You can't say that just what I do is hip-hop, because hip-hop is all energies. James Brown can get on the track and mumble all day. But guess what? You felt his soul on those records.

My pops and my mom started playing Marvin Gaye and the Isley Brothers and all these people, but at the same time, they always had Snoop on right behind it in the same mix.

The worst part of success is, to me, adapting to it. It's scary.

I always thought money was something just to make me happy. But I've learned that I feel better being able to help my folks, 'cause we never had nothing. So just to see them excited about my career is more of a blessing than me actually having it for myself.

I got a greater purpose. God put something in my heart to get across, and that's what I'm going to focus on, using my voice as an instrument and doing what needs to be done.

My word will never be as strong as God's word. All I am is just a vessel, doing His work.