Kendrick Lamar Duckworth, born on June 17, 1987, in Compton, California, USA, is an American rapper, songwriter, filmmaker, and entrepreneur. Regarded as one of the greatest and most influential hip-hop artists of all time, Lamar is known for his lyrical complexity, storytelling, and deep social and political themes. He has won 22 Grammy Awards, a Pulitzer Prize, a Primetime Emmy Award, and numerous other accolades, making him one of the most decorated rappers in history.
Lamar’s discography includes six studio albums, with his latest release, GNX (2024), topping charts worldwide. He is also set to headline the 2025 Super Bowl Halftime Show, marking the first time a solo rapper has led the event.
In this article, we will explore Kendrick Lamar’s net worth, career, albums, early life, family, relationships, physical appearance, awards, and lesser-known facts.
Kendrick Lamar Short Details
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Kendrick Lamar Duckworth |
| Stage Name | Kendrick Lamar, K.Dot |
| Profession | Rapper, Songwriter, Filmmaker, Entrepreneur |
| Hometown | Compton, California, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Date of Birth | June 17, 1987 |
| Age (as of 2025) | 37 years old |
| Height | 5 feet 6 inches (1.68 m) |
| Weight | 67 kg (148 lbs) |
| Eye Color | Dark Brown |
| Hair Color | Black |
| Zodiac Sign | Gemini |
| Years Active | 2003–present |
| Genres | West Coast Hip-Hop, Jazz Rap, Conscious Hip-Hop |
| Labels | Top Dawg, Aftermath, Interscope, PGLang |
| Spouse/Partner | Whitney Alford (Engaged) |
| Children | 2 |
| Net Worth (2025) | Estimated $110 million |
Early Life and Career
Early Life & Education
Kendrick Lamar was born in Compton, California, to parents Kenneth “Kenny” Duckworth and Paula Oliver, who moved from Chicago due to gang violence.
- Raised in poverty, his family relied on welfare and food stamps, and he grew up in Section 8 housing.
- Despite these hardships, Lamar excelled academically and was a straight-A student at Centennial High School.
- As a child, he witnessed gang violence, including a murder at age five, which shaped his worldview and music.
- He started rapping under the stage name K.Dot during high school and freestyled at local rap battles.
Career Beginnings (2003–2011)
- 2003: Released first mixtape, Youngest Head Nigga in Charge (Hub City Threat: Minor of the Year).
- 2005: Signed with Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE) after impressing Anthony “Top Dawg” Tiffith.
- 2009: Dropped stage name K.Dot and began using Kendrick Lamar.
- 2011: Released Section.80, his debut studio album, gaining underground success.
Breakthrough & Major Albums
2012–2013: Good Kid, M.A.A.D City
- Released on October 22, 2012, under Aftermath and Interscope Records.
- Features hits like “Swimming Pools (Drank)”, “Bitch, Don’t Kill My Vibe”, and “Poetic Justice”.
- Longest-charting hip-hop album in Billboard 200 history.
2015–2016: To Pimp a Butterfly
- Released March 15, 2015, and infused jazz, funk, and soul with hip-hop.
- Featured songs like “King Kunta”, “Alright”, and “The Blacker the Berry”.
- Won 5 Grammy Awards and was named one of the greatest albums of the 2010s.
2017–2019: Damn & Black Panther: The Album
- Released April 14, 2017, with hits “Humble”, “DNA”, and “Loyalty”.
- Won the 2018 Pulitzer Prize for Music, the first hip-hop album ever to do so.
- Curated and produced the Black Panther (2018) soundtrack, earning an Oscar nomination for “All the Stars”.
2022–2024: Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers & GNX
- Released May 13, 2022, and debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200.
- Addressed mental health, trauma, and self-discovery.
- Followed by The Big Steppers Tour (2022–2024), which became the highest-grossing rap tour ever ($110.9M).
- 2024: Surprise-released GNX, featuring “Not Like Us”, a Drake diss track that won Song of the Year at the Grammys.
Family and Relationships
| Family Member | Role |
|---|---|
| Kenneth “Kenny” Duckworth | Father |
| Paula Oliver | Mother |
| Kayla Sawyer (née Duckworth) | Sister |
| Nick Young | Cousin (NBA player) |
| Baby Keem | Cousin (Rapper) |
| Whitney Alford | Fiancée |
| Children | 2 (Uzi & Enoch) |
Lamar has been engaged to Whitney Alford since 2015, and they have two children together.
Physical Appearance
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Height | 5 feet 6 inches (1.68 m) |
| Weight | 67 kg (148 lbs) |
| Eye Color | Dark Brown |
| Hair Color | Black |
Kendrick Lamar Net Worth and Income Sources (2025)
As of 2025, Kendrick Lamar’s estimated net worth is $110 million.
| Source of Income | Details |
|---|---|
| Music Sales | Albums, streaming, singles |
| Tours & Concerts | Grossed $110M+ from Big Steppers Tour |
| Brand Deals | Nike, Reebok, Beats by Dre |
| Investments | Co-founder of PGLang, real estate |
| Film & TV | Executive producer for films and music videos |
Lesser-Known Facts About Kendrick Lamar
- First rapper to win a Pulitzer Prize for Music.
- Gave up his gang affiliations after an intervention by his father.
- Refuses to use social media regularly to maintain mental clarity.
- Named after singer Eddie Kendricks from The Temptations.
- Won 5 Grammys for a Drake diss track (“Not Like Us”) in 2025.
- Set to headline the 2025 Super Bowl Halftime Show.
- Surprise-released GNX in 2024, shaking up the industry.
- Close friends with J. Cole and collaborated with Beyoncé.
- Has appeared in TV shows, including Power.
- Ghostwrites for other major artists behind the scenes.
FAQs About Kendrick Lamar
Q: How many Grammys has Kendrick Lamar won?
A: 22 Grammy Awards as of 2025.
Q: What is Kendrick Lamar’s latest album?
A: GNX (2024).
Q: What is Kendrick Lamar’s net worth in 2025?
A: Approximately $110 million.
Q: Is Kendrick Lamar married?
A: No, but he is engaged to Whitney Alford.
Q: What is Kendrick Lamar’s biggest song?
A: “Humble”, “Alright”, “Not Like Us”.
Conclusion
Kendrick Lamar is a hip-hop icon, Grammy legend, and cultural powerhouse. With record-breaking albums, groundbreaking tours, and historic achievements, he continues to shape music and culture globally.
NOTE: This article is based on publicly available information and is intended for informational purposes only.
