Compton rapper Kendrick Lamar to play debut Scottish show in Jan 2013
The hip hop star has been praised by Dr Dre, Snoop Dogg and The Game
When Dr Dre, Snoop Dogg and The Game crown you as the ‘new King of the West Coast’, you’ve got a lot to live up to. Luckily, Compton rapper Kendrick Lamar is doing just that.
The California-native, who goes by the full name of Kendrick Lamar Duckworth, has been making his mark on the hip hop scene since 2009 with a string of successful mixtapes and one of the best digital rap albums of 2011, Section.80, his debut studio release.
In October 2012, the 25-year-old released another album – this time after signing to a major label, the bombastic, all-round excellent good kid, m.A.A.d city. The concept album has received critical acclaim for its storytelling raps, intricately-crafted flows and clever (domino-referencing) wordplay on the complexities of Compton life.
The mellow low-key production on the album has also reaped a positive response – if you wondered what Pharrell has been up to, he is responsible for the subdued sounds of good kid – and Just Blaze takes credit for the G-funk-style composition on ‘Compton’.
good kid, m.A.A.d city also features guest vocals from Mary J Blige and Drake as well as realistic-sounding skits emphasising the running themes of family, faith and gang culture. Lead single ‘Swimming Pools (Drank)’ received rave reviews, becoming Zane Lowe’s Record of the Week and gathering over 18 million video views.
Duckworth, who has been compared to Tupac, Eminem and Nas, has already performed two sold-out shows at Camden’s Electric Ballroom earlier this year, and this date will be his first ever Scottish show. Needless to say, for fans of their hip hop, this one comes with no small amount of big expectations.
O2 ABC, Glasgow, Wed 16 Jan