My mom's one of 13 siblings, and they all got six kids, and till I was 13 everybody was in Compton.

- Kendrick Lamar

I look at where I'm at today and realize that most of my success is owed to the mentors that was in my life.

- Kendrick Lamar

I always thought money was something just to make me happy. But I've learned that I feel better being able to help my folks, 'cause we never had nothing. So just to see them excited about my career is more of a blessing than me actually having it for myself.

- Kendrick Lamar

My word will never be as strong as God's word. All I am is just a vessel, doing His work.

- Kendrick Lamar

I've been called a recluse. There's definitely truth in that. I like to spend time alone.

- Kendrick Lamar

My word will never be as strong as God's word. All I am is just a vessel, doing His work.

- Kendrick Lamar

I used to consider the listener. But now I'm in a space where, if I'm not inspired, I can't really do the music. I can't feel it.

- Kendrick Lamar

The majority of my interactions with police were not good. There were a few good ones who were actually protecting the community. But then you have ones from the Valley. They never met me in their life, but since I'm a kid in basketball shorts and a white T-shirt, they wanna slam me on the hood of the car. Sixteen years old.

- Kendrick Lamar

Sonnymoon and Quadrants are a couple of bands that really inspire me in terms of the melodics of things and certain tones and just what feels good. It takes me back to the type of music that I grew up on in my household. We played a lot of gangsta rap, but we also played a lot of oldies, and I think that mix is part of what inspires my sound.

- Kendrick Lamar

I had to come from something, come from a place that was negative and positive but the majority of it is a negative place.

- Kendrick Lamar