Lesson made on February 6, 2025
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Reading Lesson:
Kendrick Lamar was born in 1987, in Compton, California. Growing up, Kendrick witnessed the poverty and violence in his city, and this inspired much of his music.
As a child, Kendrick was a good student with an interest in writing. He began rapping and started recording his own songs as a teenager. His first mixtape was released when he was just 16. His early work caught the attention of rapper Dr. Dre, who helped launch his career.
Kendrick Lamar’s first two albums told stories of growing up in Compton. His third album To Pimp a Butterfly (2015) was more ambitious. The album mixed rap with jazz, funk, and spoken word poetry, and it talked about topics like racism and inequality. In 2018, Kendrick became the first rapper to win the Pulitzer Prize for Music, a huge honor that recognized his skill as a storyteller and artist.
Kendrick Lamar has had a long and well-known rivalry with another rapper named Drake. It all started in 2013 when Kendrick Lamar made a song where he declared himself the best rapper and challenged other famous rappers, including Drake. This was a daring move, and it made people wonder if Kendrick was trying to take the crown from Drake. Over the next few years, the two took jabs at each other in their music and in interviews, and they even wrote entire songs to insult each other.
Kendrick was invited to perform at the halftime show of the 2025 Superbowl in New Orleans.
Comprehension Questions:
Speaking and Writing Activities:
– Discuss these questions with a partner or a small group.
– Choose one topic and write a response to it. Show your writing to a classmate or teacher.
1. Who is your favorite musician? What do you like about them?
2. Many people feel connected to music that tells stories about real life. What is a song that has a message you like?
3. Poetry and jazz are considered forms of art. Do you think rap music should also be considered a form of art?
More Reading Practice:
Drake
Drake is a Canadian rapper, singer, and songwriter who has become one of the biggest names in music. He was born in 1986, in Toronto, Canada. Drake first became famous as an actor, starring in a popular TV show for teenagers. However, his passion for music led him to leave acting behind and focus on music.
Drake’s music is known for its mix of rap and singing. He often writes about his personal life, relationships, and experiences. His lyrics are relatable to many people, which is part of the reason he has so many loyal fans. Over the years, he has released many successful albums and songs that have been very successful around the world.
One of the things that makes Drake stand out in the music industry is his ability to adapt to different styles. He blends rap with other genres, like R&B and pop, which has helped him reach a wide audience. As a result, he has earned many awards, including Grammy Awards.
Despite his fame, Drake has faced criticism at times, especially from artists like Kendrick Lamar who have challenged his place in the rap world. Nevertheless, he has remained one of the most successful and influential figures in modern music. His career continues to evolve as he works on new music and projects.
Kendrick and Drake’s Feud
The rivalry between Kendrick Lamar and Drake started in the early 2010s and has a mix of tension and respect. Both artists are incredibly successful, and their different styles and approaches to music have made them stand out in the hip-hop world. Kendrick Lamar is known for his deep, thought-provoking lyrics, while Drake has more mainstream success, blending rap and singing.
The rivalry began in 2013 in the song “Control,” in which Kendrick called out several popular rappers, including Drake, in a competitive way. The song sparked a lot of reactions in the hip-hop community, with some seeing it as a challenge to others in the industry. Drake responded in a few songs, and the media began to focus on their feud.
Over the years, both artists have addressed the rivalry in their music and interviews. While there were moments where it seemed like the tension was growing, there have also been times when they showed mutual respect.
The rivalry never became too personal or hostile. Instead, it was seen as a sign of the competitive nature in hip-hop. Both Kendrick Lamar and Drake have remained at the top of the music scene, showing that while competition can create tension, it can also push artists to be better and more creative.
Dr. Dre
Dr. Dre is an American music producer, rapper, and businessman. He is one of the most influential people in hip-hop history. He was born in 1965, in Compton, California. Dr. Dre’s career started in the 1980s when he was a member of a group called N.W.A. This group is known for bringing attention to the struggles of life in inner-city America, and their music had a major impact on the direction of hip-hop.
Dr. Dre is most famous for his role as a producer. He helped create the sound for many of the most successful artists in hip-hop, including Snoop Dogg, Eminem, and 50 Cent. His production style, which mixes powerful beats with smooth rhythms, became known as “G-funk.” This style helped shape the sound of West Coast hip-hop in the 1990s.
In addition to his music career, Dr. Dre became a successful businessman. In 2008, he co-founded Beats by Dre, a company that produced high-quality headphones and later was sold to Apple for a large amount of money. This business success made him one of the wealthiest people in hip-hop.
Dr. Dre has also been important in discovering and mentoring new talent. Many of the artists he worked with, like Eminem and Kendrick Lamar, went on to have very successful careers of their own. Even though he is not as active in releasing new music today, Dr. Dre’s legacy continues to have a huge impact in popular music.
Link: Kendrick Lamar on YouTube
Link: NFL Super Bowl LIX