Kendrick Lamar Is Now California’s 35th Senate District’s Generational Icon

“I thank you from the bottom of my heart for honoring me today.”
Kendrick Lamar Is Now California’s 35th Senate District’s Generational Icon

“I thank you from the bottom of my heart for honoring me today.”

Words: Bailey Pennick

May 12, 2015

2015. Kendrick Lamar making a speech on the CA state senate floor.

A couple of months ago, Kendrick Lamar released To Pimp a Butterfly—one of strongest albums of the year. While it might seem like Lamar already achieved his 2015 goals by elevating the hip-hop game with his universally acclaimed third LP, the Los Angeles native continues to make it clear that he isn’t stopping there, instead making serious efforts to improve his hometown of Compton.

Yesterday, the California State Senate showed its appreciation of Lamar’s community contributions by bestowing upon him the “Generational Icon Award.” On the floor, Senator Isadore Hall III (“a fellow Compton native”) highlighted the rapper’s impressive career alongside his unwavering commitment to the city of Compton, before Lamar made a short, but sweet speech about how his opportunity and success gave him the ability to help the people and community that he grew up in.

Kendrick Lamar: Hip-hop innovator, Grammy winner, California’s 35th Senate District’s Generational Icon.

(via Pitchfork)