COMPTON, California (KTLA) — Kendrick Lamar, Grammy and Pulitzer-winning rapper and Compton native, made a surprise visit to the graduation ceremony at his hometown’s college on Friday to speak to the new graduates.
Lamar, a graduate of Centennial High School in Compton, expressed his admiration for the city to graduates of Compton College during the ceremony at Dignity Health Sports Park Tennis Stadium.
“I still believe in Compton,” Lamar said. “Compton has always been the future for me.”
The “To Pimp a Butterfly” and “Good Kid, m.A.A.d. City” artist has shown love for Compton in dozens of songs over his career. He also told graduates that he believes in the younger generation.
“Not only do y’all have what it takes, y’all have something even bigger,” Lamar said. “Y’all have the heart, y’all have the courage to be independent thinkers.”
Lamar gave the remarks in his first major public appearance since his rap feud with Drake. The two superstars went toe-to-toe with a series of scathing songs directed at one another.
He’ll soon be performing for the first time since the beef at the nearby Kia Forum in Inglewood. The Pop Out Ken & Friends show takes place on June 19, which is also Juneteenth.
