BELOW SUPERNAV drop zone ⇩

Kendrick Lamar makes surprise speech to Compton College graduates

MAIN AREA TOP drop zone ⇩

ovp test

mLife Diagnostics LLC: Oral Fluid Drug Testing

Male shot by female at Shreveport apartment

Class to create biodiverse backyard

Rules for outbursts at Caddo School Board Meeting

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.

Kendrick Lamar performs at Coachella Music & Arts Festival at the Empire Polo Club on April 16, 2017, in Indio, Calif. Apple Music announced on Wednesday, May 22, 2024, their 10 greatest albums of all time and Lamar’s 2012 “good kid, m.A.A.d city” came in seventh on the list. (Photo by Amy Harris/Invision/AP, File)

“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.

Entertainment

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed

MAIN AREA MIDDLE drop zone ⇩

Trending on NewsNation

MAIN AREA BOTTOM drop zone ⇩

tt

KC Chiefs parade shooting: 1 dead, 21 shot including 9 kids | Morning in America

Witness of Chiefs parade shooting describes suspect | Banfield

Kansas City Chiefs parade shooting: Mom of 2 dead, over 20 shot | Banfield

WWE star Ashley Massaro 'threatened' by board to keep quiet about alleged rape: Friend | Banfield

Friend of WWE star: Ashley Massaro 'spent hours' sobbing after alleged rape | Banfield

Clear

la

54°F Clear Feels like 54°
Wind
1 mph E
Humidity
52%
Sunrise
Sunset

Tonight

Overcast. Low 49F. Winds light and variable.
49°F Overcast. Low 49F. Winds light and variable.
Wind
2 mph NE
Precip
1%
Sunset
Moon Phase
Waning Crescent