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Kendrick Lamar is a platinum-selling artist, a leading light of hip-hop, and a cultural icon. He's also, thanks to the California State Senate, an official icon. Earlier this week the government body declared Lamar a "Generational Icon" for his artistic, charitable, and community efforts. In recognition of his work, the rapper was invited onto the Senate floor to speak and receive an oversized framed document.
Lamar was introduced to the California Senate by fellow Compton native Senator Isadore Hall III. The Senator applauded the rapper's 10-year music career, but specifically picked out his work helping the youth of his home city, by supporting music and sports programs and donating hundreds of thousands of dollars. Lamar might be one of the biggest names in hip-hop right now, but he's certainly not forgotten Compton — the city is the backdrop to much of his material, including the autobiographical good kid, m.A.A.d city, and his most recent music video, for the song "King Kunta."
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