Kendrick Lamar has written an open letter to late rapper and N.W.A. member, Eazy-E. Kendrick was only seven years old in 1995 when Eazy-E, another Compton native, passed away.
Writing in Paper Magazine, Lamar said: "I remember when I was five or six years old, waking up one morning and seeing this guy bust through the TV screen.. I remember looking at that video and just feeling like, 'Man, this dude feels like an action superhero'. Little did I know, Eazy-E came from my same neighborhood in Compton. But as a kid, I really couldn't grasp the idea that the world knew about what we're going through in my neighborhood. I didn't get that idea until my debut album, 'good kid, mAAd city', came out and that's when I truly understood how NWA felt, coming from this small neighborhood but going all the way around the world and seeing these people singing these words lyric-for-lyric and understanding the trials and tribulations that are going on in the community. I understand how they feel now. It's an inspiring thing. Once I got the idea that people are actually listening, it made me want to continue making music more."
Lamar continues of the influence Eazy-E has had on his career as a whole: "I wouldn't be here today if it wasn't for Eazy and I wouldn't be able to say the things that I say, talk about my community the way I talk about it, for good or for bad. He's 100% influenced me in terms of really being not only honest with myself, but honest about where I come from and being proud of where I come from."
Lamar also wrote to Tupac Shakur on the 19th anniversary of his death. "I was 8 yrs old when I first saw you," he wrote. "I couldn't describe how I felt at that moment. So many emotions. Full of excitement. Full of joy and eagerness. 20 yrs later I understand exactly what that feeling was. INSPIRED." Lamar continued: "The people that you touched on that small intersection changed lives forever. I told myself I wanted to be a voice for man one day. Whoever knew I was speaking out loud for u to listen."
By Devon Pyne for RAPstation.com
Kendrick Lamar pays homage to Eazy-E in open letter
By Rapstation Editor for RAPstation.com — 10/10/2015
Recent News
-
1 week agoRoxanne Shanté, Grandmaster Caz & Kool Moe Dee Latest Paid In Full Foundation Honorees
-
2 weeks agoChino XL's Cause Of Death Revealed
-
3 weeks agoRock Hall Induction Announces Appearances By Dr. Dre, Busta Rhymes, Chuck D & Method Man
-
3 weeks ago3 Melancholy Gypsys—Murs, Eligh & Scarub—Reunite For Rare Denver Performance
-
1 month agoThe Fearless 4 Reunite For First Time In Over A Decade
-
1 month agoLil Troy Back Home After Suffering Massive Heart Attack
-
1 month agoPublic Enemy, De La Soul, Cypress Hill, Too $hort, Eric B & Rakim Among "Hip-Hop 101" Performers
-
1 month agoIce-T, Treach & Chuck D Join Dozens Of MCs For “Spit Or Quit” Tribute To DJ Kay Slay
-
2 months agoKid Capri Reveals M.O.P. Affiliate Foxx Has Died: DJ Premier, Fat Joe, Prince Po & More React
-
2 months agoKRS-One To Host "Hip Hop 51: Walk This Way March" In August