Introduction
Exciting Times for an Icon
Black History Month is shaping up to be an exciting time for rapper Kendrick Lamar. One reason is his recent success at the 2025 Grammy Awards.
While Kendrick’s success at the Grammy’s is impressive, many people are excited to see what he will do next. By next, I mean his headlining performance during the half-time show at Super Bowl LIX this Sunday.
But before we start imagining what Kendrick will do in the near future, let’s take a trip down memory lane.
Doing so will help us discover how life experiences and religious beliefs help Kendrick become the icon he is today.
Who is Kendrick Lamar?
A Kid from Compton, California
Though the world may call him an iconic rap artist, Kendrick identifies as a kid from Compton. Born on June 17,1987, Kendrick Lamar Duckworth is a Compton, California native.
While Compton is Kendrick’s birthplace, his family’s roots actually began in Chicago, Illinois. Wisely, his parents left the windy city because of his father’s association with the Gangster Disciples gang.
Despite his gang association, Kenneth Duckworth worked hard to provide for Kendrick and his three younger children as a manual laborer. Kendrick’s mother Paula Oliver also helped provide for the family as a hairdresser.
Unfortunately, Kenneth and Paula’s work ethic did not prevent Kendrick’s family from experiencing homelessness and living in Section 8 housing.
Falling in Love at School & Home
Interestingly, the struggles of his living situation became the perfect pathway for him to fulfill his destiny. Kendrick’s life seems prophetic because he is named after Temptations singer Eddie Kendricks.
Along with bearing the name of a famous singer, Kendrick also had a stuttering problem as a child. Kendrick overcame the challenge by falling in love with writing thanks to encouragement from his teacher Mr.Inge.
Through Mr. Inge’s influence, Kendrick learned rhetoric devices like metaphors, double entendres and rhymes that he uses in his craft. As a student, Kendrick found writing to be a therapeutic refuge enabling him to process life’s triumphs and trials.
In addition to processing life through writing, his teenage years are also the time Kendrick found love. Kendrick met Whitney Alfound at Centennial High School and they have been engaged since 2015.
The couple has two children (a 5 year old daughter Uzi and a 2 year old son Enoch). Kendrick dedicates his 2022 album Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers to his children. He wants them to see this work as a road map for how to cope with grief.
The Man and His Music
From K-Dot to Kendrick Lamar
Prior to creating a guide enabling his children to overcome grief, Kendrick was a teenager with a dream.
Kendrick began making music at the age of 16 using the name K-Dot. Under the name K-Dot, he released four mixtapes then chose to go by his legal name Kendrick Lamar.
Since changing his artist name, Kendrick as created a number of works including
- good kid, m.A.A.d city (2012).
- To Pimp a Butterfly (2015).
- Untitled (2016).
- DAMN (2017).
- Mr. Morale and The Big Steppers (2022).
- GNX (2024).
Career Achievements
Preceding the GNX release November 2024, is the release of his summer smash hit single “Not Like US.” The single is a diss track about Canadian rapper Drake, who Kendrick is still .
In the public’s eye, the single is responsible for helping Kendrick win the beef against Drake. Surprisingly, “Not Like Us” is also the reason for him winning five awards at the 2025 Grammys.
This makes him the first rapper to win the record of the year for a diss track. Overall, Kendrick has won and been nominated for a slew of music awards throughout his career.
Musical success created an opportunity for him to enhance his resume by co-producing the Black Panther soundtrack. Kendrick also has some acting credits by appearing on HBO’s Power.
Where Rap and Religion Coincide
Evidence of Faith in God?
Super Bowl performances and awards are not what make Kendrick Lamar great. His greatness comes from the choice to include faith in his lyrics.
There is not much evidence available about Kendrick’s religious beliefs. However, researchers believe he did not come from a Christian household.
Yet, they acknowledge his Grandmother knew a lot about the Bible. Perhaps she shared her biblical knowledge with Kendrick who uses many Christian principles in his music.
In the song “His Pain” for example, Kendrick talks about how God continues to bless and protect him despite the bad decisions he makes. The track ends with the understanding that God blesses Kendrick to be a blessing to other people.
Additionally, in “Sing About Me, I’m Dying of Thirst”, he acknowledges his need for salvation by accepting Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. This need comes after witnessing the death of a friend.
Furthermore, he uses songs like “How Much a Dollar Cost” to cry out against injustices like mistreating the poor. This track also embodies Mathew 25:31-46 telling listeners how we treat the poor resembles our treatment of Jesus Christ.
Criticism from Christians?
Paying homage to Christian principles like being generous to the poor is an honorable act. Unfortunately, no good deed goes unpunished.
In Kendrick’s case, criticism may come from Christians who disagree with the subject matter found in most of his lyrics. Kendrick’s songs endorse practices such as greed, fornication, alcoholism, drug usage, using derogatory language toward women and cursing.
According to Galatians 5:16-21, these acts are works of the flesh that will prohibit those who practice sin from inheriting the Kingdom of God.
Another source of criticism is Kendrick appearing to experiment with other religions and blasphemy. Evidence proving this comes from “Fear.”
He references Deuteronomy 28 to suggest black and brown people are cursed for disobeying God. This is Black Hebrew Israelite doctrine, which misinterprets Deuteronomy 28. This teaching neglects how Jesus redeems believers from sin’s curse.
Kendrick may also be committing blasphemy by wearing a crown of thorns and fake blood on stage to protest the overturning of Roe v Wade. He also wears the crown on the cover of “Mr.Morale and The Big Steppers,” a work where he promotes new age spirituality.
Christians may argue this is blasphemous since Jesus was forced to wear one while being crucified on the cross.
Ruslan also calls Kendrick’s actions blasphemous because of the final verse in “Reincarnated.”
Ruslan argues Kendrick’s portrayal of Satan as this repentant, apologetic being is evil. Additionally, he says Kendrick is double minded due to being syncretistic.
Electi A Deo’s Thoughts
Honestly, I’m unsure if Kendrick is being syncretistic because he does not embrace the label Christian rapper. Therefore, he has the freedom to address personal and societal matters from perspectives his fans find relatable.
Since he’s not a Christian rapper and lives a private life, I won’t try to judge his walk with God.
With that being said, Kendrick wearing a crown of thorns devalues how much Christ would suffer to offer humanity salvation.
Furthermore, depicting Satan in a positive light can be misleading to immature Christians and young listeners who lack understanding about Satan’s true nature.
I advise Christians to enjoy Kendrick’s music for its art but use discernment so as not to be led astray by any false teachings he endorses. I also encourage believers to pray for Kendrick’s spiritual well being.
If Kendrick is a Christian, I hope he uses future works to promote having a relationship with God, overcoming sin, and practicing biblical principles.
What is your opinion about Kendrick Lamar and his music? I’d love to hear your thoughts. Your feedback is greatly appreciated!
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