Kendrick Lamar discovered he had a knack for storytelling while growing up on the rough streets of Compton, CA, during the 1990s. At the age of 16, he made a mixtape that caught the attention of independent record label Top Dawg Entertainment, kickstarting a career that would eventually lead to an incredible first: his 2017 album DAMN. would be the first hip-hop album to win the Pulitzer Prize for Music. Learn more about this award-winning, critically acclaimed, and groundbreaking artist.

Grammy winner Kendrick Lamar continuously wows fans and critics alike with his contributions to the world of hip-hop. Born in Compton, California, Lamar was no stranger to street violence. He channeled his experiences into pensive lyrics, releasing his first mixtape at the age of sixteen. Readers will learn about Lamar's experiences in the music world, his association with Dr. Dre, and his ascent to becoming a Pulitzer Prize winner. Quotes from Lamar, sidebars, a timeline about his life, and vivid photographs of performances make this high-interest volume a must for every hip-hop lover's collection.

Kendrick Lamar is American hip-hop royalty, with twenty-three tracks and three albums that have sold more than a million copies and gone platinum. As a respected MC, Lamar speaks to socially conscious issues and racial injustice in his lyrics. His fans connect with his music and message, and he rocketed to star status. Born in Compton, California, Lamar witnessed hardships early in life, from seeing a shooting and racial riots to poverty. He turned those experiences and thoughts into words when he realized his love for writing, especially lyrics. Lamar learned songwriting from some of his musical heroes—DMX, Snoop Dogg, and Jay Z. Then his mixtapes got him signed to a label and his music started hitting the charts. Soon Lamar was going on tour and winning Grammys, and today this rapper's music influences and reaches fans around the world.

Kendrick Lamar has established himself at the forefront of contemporary hip-hop culture. Artistically adventurous and socially conscious, he has been unapologetic in using his art form, rap music, to address issues affecting black lives while also exploring subjects fundamental to the human experience, such as religious belief. This book is the first to provide an interdisciplinary academic analysis of the impact of Lamar’s corpus. In doing so, it highlights how Lamar’s music reflects current tensions that are keenly felt when dealing with the subjects of race, religion and politics. Starting with Section 80 and ending with DAMN., this book deals with each of Lamar’s four major projects in turn. A panel of academics, journalists and hip-hop practitioners show how religion, in particular black spiritualties, take a front-and-center role in his work. They also observe that his astute and biting thoughts on race and culture may come from an African American perspective, but many find something familiar in Lamar’s lyrical testimony across great chasms of social and geographical difference. This sophisticated exploration of one of popular culture’s emerging icons reveals a complex and multi faceted engagement with religion, faith, race, art and culture. As such, it will be vital reading for anyone working in religious, African American and hip-hop studies, as well as scholars of music, media and popular culture.

A dangerous new order threatens the mission of the Knights of Arrethtrae. Only loyalty to the King can bring victory! As the Knights of the Prince await His triumphant return, they are steadfast in their mission to take His story into the kingdom and recruit as many as are willing. But when a new and dangerous threat is revealed, their mission is jeopardized. Sir Kendrick and his young charge, the impetuous Sir Duncan, are sent on a mission to discover the identity and origin of a secretive new order known as the Conquistero Knights. They travel to the city of Bel Lione where Lord Ra has been enticing young people in the kingdom to join his festivals, after which many choose not to return home. Their families keep quiet for fear of repercussion. When Sir Duncan disappears while trying to discover the truth of Lord Ra’s castle, Sir Kendrick attempts to find and enlist the help of a mysterious warrior. Time is short for he must save Duncan and call upon the knights of Chessington to join in the battle against the evil Lord Ra. Journey to Arrethtrae, where these knights of noble heart live and die in loyal service to the King and the Prince. These knights are mighty, for they serve a mighty King. They are…the Knights of Arrethtrae!

Have you ever been vaccinated against a particular disease? As children, Pearl Kendrick and Grace Eldering both suffered from whooping cough, a life-threatening illness. As adults, they worked together to create a revolutionary vaccine that saved thousands of lives each year. Eldering and Kendrick worked in a Michigan lab at a time when whooping cough was spreading around the country. Determined to stop the illness, the pair tested bacteria late into the night. Soon their new vaccine was helping children across the country. But how did they get there? Find out how Eldering and Kendrick's passion for fixing a problem led them to create an important vaccine.

On the day he registered for eighth grade at his new school in March 1995, six-foot, two-hundred-twenty-pound Kendrick Fincher was followed out of school by the football coach who recognized a good player when he saw him. A few months later, Kendrick left for summer football camp and changed the course of his young life forever. On August 7, 1995his first day of football practiceKendrick suffered a heat stroke. For the next eighteen days, his parents watched as he lay in a drug-induced coma fighting for his life. On August 25, 1995, Kendrick died from multi-system organ failure, leaving his parents shocked and traumatized. Desperate for comfort, his mother, Rhonda, began writing heartfelt letters to Kendrick, now shared in her poignant memoir written to help others better understand the grieving process. Through her words to Kendrick, Rhonda learned to face her grief head-on, shares the raw emotions that surfaced daily, and eventually realizes that keeping her own hope alive is what will save her in the end. Good Night Kendrick, I Love You shares one mothers emotional journey as she slowly learns to live again after losing her beloved son to a tragic and untimely death.

“A spy novel dealing with the evil empire.” Two Naval officers become aware of a foreign spy infiltrating the National Security Agency with the conspiring cooperation of at least three prominent government officials.