In music news today, Grammy-winning rapper Kendrick Lamar was presented with a major honor from the California Senate. Not only is the 27-year-old a platinum-selling artist a leading light of hip-hop, and a cultural icon, he is now the 35th Senate District’s Generational Icon.
On Monday, fellow Compton native Sen. Isadore Hall III presented Lamar with the award, praising him for his 10-year music career, but specifically for charitable efforts, including donating hundreds of thousands of dollars to support music, sports, and after-school programs in their beloved community.
“In less than 10 years as a professional artist, Mr. Lamar has gone from a local Compton young boy to become a multi-platinum, Billboard chart-topping, two-time Grammy Award-winning musician, an incredible achievement for anyone 27 years old. ut Mr. Lamar has not let his recent fame get the best of him. … Mr. Lamar is a familiar face in the neighborhood, giving back to his community that raised him,” Hall said on the Senate floor.
Lamar, who accepted the award alongside his fiancée, Whitney Alford, expressed what an honor it was to be recognized for giving back.
“It’s definitely an honor to be right here in front of you guys. Being from the city of Compton, and knowing the parks that I played at, and the neighborhoods, I always thought how great the opportunity would be to give back to my community off what I do in music. In order to do that for my city all the way to a state standpoint and have these young kids look at me as some type of inspiration, it’s really an honor, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for honoring me today.”
We applaud Lamar for continuing to support the community he hails from. What do you think of Lamar’s big honor? Sound off in the comment section below.
