Top 10 Moments Kendrick Lamar Did It #ForTheCulture

Kendrick Lamar continues to give us music that matters.

Native Son - Contrary to some reports, To Pimp a Butterfly is not based on To Kill a Mockingbird. Explaining several meanings behind the album’s concept, Kendrick stated, “The butterfly represents the thoughtfulness and how people view me in society and on the TV screen and what I can do with this is say, 'Middle fingers up' to everybody where I come from ... or I can do something productive with it. That’s one meaning. Or I can go a little bit deeper and show how the industry looks at artists and how they pimp artists out or how the world views us coming from an urban community and the hood.” (Photo: Interscope Records)

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We Gonna Be Alright!   - On To Pimp a Butterfly, Kendrick takes his celebrated funk and jazz sound and his political awareness to the next level. He tackles themes like discrimination, stereotypes and the capitalization of Black culture while still finding time to embrace his Blackness while he shouts “I love myself!” on his single “i.”(Photo: Interscope Records)

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K. Dot Gives Us Revised Freedom Songs      - Kendrick brings the house down with a vibrant performance on the stage at the Osheaga Music and Arts Festival. Kendrick shares a message that needs to be sent -- preach, Kendrick, preach. (Photo: Emma McIntyre/Getty Images)

Kick Around With A Purpose! - Kendrick’s latest Reebok sneaker collection includes mismatched pairs of red and blue shoes for a cause. The positive icon hopes to use the sneakers as a symbol of unity that helps Blood and Crip gang members come together to end the violence.(Photo: Reebok)

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Kick Around With A Purpose! - Kendrick’s latest Reebok sneaker collection includes mismatched pairs of red and blue shoes for a cause. The positive icon hopes to use the sneakers as a symbol of unity that helps Blood and Crip gang members come together to end the violence.(Photo: Reebok)

Kendrick Lamar - “Sherane a.k.a. Master’s Splinter Daughter,” good kid, m.A.A.d city (2012) - For his modern-day opus, Kendrick Lamar starts off perfectly and subtly as he tells us the story of falling for Sherane “the hood rat” while painting the canvas with vivid illustrations of growing up in Compton.(Photo: Top Dawg Entertainment, Interscope)

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We Were All Vibing to good kid, m.A.A.d city - good kid, m.A.A.d city debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 chart, catching our attention with singles like “The Recipe,” “Swimming Pools (Drank)” and “Poetic Justice.” The album is filled with consciousness about his experiences in Compton and the effects that economic and social struggles have on the individuals and families living in the city.(Photo: Top Dawg Entertainment, Interscope)

Section.80 - Kendrick Lamar broke through even further with his 2011 masterpiece Section.80, led by the single "A.D.H.D." The album topped year-end lists and had many hailing Kendrick as rap's top newcomer.  (Photo: Interscope Records)

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K. Dot Woke Us Up With Section.80 - It’s not every day that you see a gun clip, condoms and a Holy Bible on an album cover. Not new to controversy, Kendrick explained that the artistic interpretation is based on the viewer and hinted that the visuals were societal taboos representing that we are all human beings capable of anything.(Photo: Interscope Records)

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He Let Us in on His Life - In February 2016, Kendrick allowed Vice to release a documentary on his life and friends back in Compton. Kendrick used the platform to shed light on gang culture, violence in the community and the harsh realities faced by his neighborhood.(Photo: Johnny Nunez/Getty Images)

He's President Obama's Favorite Rapper - We loved seeing Obama embrace Kendrick at the White House in January 2016 to discuss the #MyBrothersKeeper initiative. In the meeting, Kendrick talked to the president about his views on the problems and solutions concerning inner cities, youth, and the importance of mentorship.(Photo: Top Dawg Entertainment via Vimeo)

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He's President Obama's Favorite Rapper - We loved seeing Obama embrace Kendrick at the White House in January 2016 to discuss the #MyBrothersKeeper initiative. In the meeting, Kendrick talked to the president about his views on the problems and solutions concerning inner cities, youth, and the importance of mentorship.(Photo: Top Dawg Entertainment via Vimeo)

Kendrick Adds a Little Extra to Beyoncé's Lemonade! - There’s nothing like adding a little Lemonade to whatever juice Kendrick is making. As per usual, Kendrick killed his verse when he rapped a lyrically genius countdown on his bars for Beyoncé’s “Freedom” – proving that even Queen B can use a bit of King Kunta.(Photos from left: Ezra Shaw/Getty Images, Chris Weeks/Getty Images for Reebok)

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Kendrick Adds a Little Extra to Beyoncé's Lemonade! - There’s nothing like adding a little Lemonade to whatever juice Kendrick is making. As per usual, Kendrick killed his verse when he rapped a lyrically genius countdown on his bars for Beyoncé’s “Freedom” – proving that even Queen B can use a bit of King Kunta.(Photos from left: Ezra Shaw/Getty Images, Chris Weeks/Getty Images for Reebok)

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Kendrick Lamar Always Keeps It Real - At this year’s Grammys, Kendrick stunned audiences as he walked out with a line of Black men dressed as shackled prisoners to perform “The Blacker the Berry.” His explosive energy and visuals made his presentation the performance of the night for its representation of the modern day Black experience.(Photo: Kevin Mazur/WireImage)

Lamar Dab 'Em - Kendrick dropped one of the most socially conscious albums of the year. But watching King Kunta crash a wedding and show us how to really "dab" was like watching your 5th grade teacher do the Cha-Cha Slide for the first time at the school dance.(Photo: Christopher Polk/BET/Getty Images for BET)

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Kendrick Keeps Giving Us Music That Matters - When Kendrick hits the stage, you can expect passion, power and purpose. His social messages and performances empower us to love ourselves and dig deeper. It’s no wonder he was named the King  of the West Coast by The Game, Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre in 2011.(Photo: Christopher Polk/BET/Getty Images for BET)