News

Kendrick Lamar Talks Social Responsibility, Being Inspired by JAY Z w/ JET Magazine

blame it on Illy January 24, 2014
kendrick-lamar-jet-magazine

Kendrick Lamar ushers in a new audience gracing the cover of JET Magazine‘s black history issue. The GRAMMY Award-nominated rapper speaks on everything from social responsibility to being inspired by rap moguls such as JAY Z.

On hip-hop’s role in Black History: “Hip-hop plays a huge part in Black history. It’s bigger than music. Entertainers are actually leading a generation today as role models, whether they want to or not.”

On his message in his music: “The songs aren’t for me. They are for that person who needs to hear them. People who live their lives to this music. So I take it a little further than just coming up with a clever line.”

On being inspired by JAY Z: “People forget that Jay Z is from the projects – but that inspires me. If this guy can go from the streets to the corporate world, that lets me know I’m open for anything.”

JET Magazine‘s February Black History issue arrives on newsstands January 27.