(photo: courtesy The Source)

Kendrick Lamar had a standout 2012 by essentially every measure. His major label debut album, good kid, m.A.A.d city had the biggest opening week of any rap album this year and was roundly praised by critics. He also beat out the steepest of competition in Jay-Z, Nas, Kanye West and J. Cole for BET's own Lyricist of the Year award. Lamar's latest accomplishment doubles as an acknowledgment of those he has already achieved: the 25-year-old rapper from Compton has been named "Rookie of the Year" by The Source magazine.
The Good Kid graces the cover of the third annual Rookie issue sporting a crown and the headline "Compton's Crown Jewel."
In the inside interview, Lamar talks about reckoning with religion as a youth — a recurring theme from his album.
"We couldn't believe something we didn't know about. As a kid, all we seeing is street s--t," he says. "When you see one of your partners get smoked and that same day you have someone coming to you preaching to you asking you, 'Do you believe in God?' it gives you a [different] outlook."
Grab the new issue of The Source, which also features a profile of "Man of the Year" 2 Chainz, on newsstands everywhere.

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