Kendrick Lamar Net Worth (Money & Salary)

Discover Kendrick Lamar’s Total Assets

Kendrick Lamar, the American rapper, possesses a net worth of $140 million. His earnings have surpassed $250 million throughout his career so far, making him one of the well-paid and admired rappers globally. In 2018, he amassed $60 million, marking him as one of the top-earning entertainers that year. Currently, he boasts of 17 Grammy wins out of 47 nominations and notably received a Pulitzer Prize for his album “Damn.”

Originally gaining attention with his debut mixtape “Youngest Head Nigga in Charge (Hub City Threat: Minor of the Year)” in 2003, Kendrick Lamar’s career skyrocketed after signing with Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE).

His subsequent works, “Training Day” (2005) and “C4” (2009), showcased his evolving style and lyrical talent. However, his breakthrough came in 2010 with the release of “Overly Dedicated,” garnering praise and introducing his reflective narrative style to a broader audience. Lamar’s first official album, “Section.80” (2011), further solidified his position in the hip-hop community, addressing social issues impacting the African-American society.

His major-label debut, “Good Kid, M.A.A.D City” (2012), received critical acclaim for its conceptual depth, storytelling, and production quality. Featuring hits like “Swimming Pools (Drank)” and “Bitch, Don’t Kill My Vibe,” the album achieved both critical and commercial success, establishing Lamar as a significant industry player.

Lamar’s third studio album, “To Pimp a Butterfly” (2015), was another critical and commercial hit, blending jazz, funk, and soul while eloquently exploring racial dynamics, personal struggles, and societal issues. This project earned him numerous accolades, including multiple Grammy Awards. Continuing his success, “Damn” (2017) clinched the Pulitzer Prize for Music, making him the first non-classical and non-jazz artist to win this prestigious award.

Beyond his studio albums, Kendrick Lamar’s influence extends to his impactful live performances, collaborations with fellow artists, and overseeing the soundtrack of the film “Black Panther,” featuring the popular track “All the Stars.”

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From Childhood to Stardom

Kendrick Lamar, born Kendrick Lamar Duckworth on June 17, 1987, in Compton, California, delved into rapping during his early school years, drawing inspiration from idols like Tupac Shakur and Dr. Dre. His parents relocated from Chicago to Compton to escape his father’s gang involvement, choosing to start afresh together. His mother attributed his first name to Eddie Kendricks of The Temptations. Despite his challenging environment and financial struggles, he cherished happy memories from childhood, excelling academically with impressive achievements at Centennial High School in Compton.

Exploring Lamar’s Journey Through Music

Lamar dropped his initial mixtape (“Youngest Head Nigga in Charge”) at 16, garnering attention from local record labels while still in high school. His alliance with Top Dawg Entertainment in the early 2000s led to further mixtape releases. The years 2008 and 2009 marked his rising prominence, highlighted by his cameo in Jay Rock’s “All My Life (in the Ghetto)” music video and his collaboration with Lil Wayne. Upon signing with Lil Wayne, he transitioned to using his real name, Kendrick Lamar, instead of his stage moniker K. Dot. Subsequently, he released additional mixtapes and reissued an earlier tape under his true name. Lamar’s tour across 2010 and 2011, coupled with the release of popular mixtapes and an independent album, set the stage for his major studio debut, “Good Kid, M.A.A.D City,” under Interscope Records and Aftermath Entertainment on October 22, 2012. This album exceeded 1.1 million sales in the US alone, reaching the summit of the US R&B/Hip-Hop chart and securing the second position on the “Billboard” 200 chart.

Lamar’s “Saturday Night Live” appearance showcased performances of the album’s lead singles, “Swimming Pools (Drank)” and “Poetic Justice.” He also featured in a digital short alongside Adam Levine and The Lonely Island, inspiring the hit single “YOLO.” Apart from his studio albums, Kendrick Lamar’s musical reach extends to numerous hit singles produced in collaboration with renowned artists like Big Sean, Robin Thicke, Drake, 2 Chainz, Birdman, and J. Cole.

In September 2013, Lamar was announced as Kanye West’s supporting act for his first solo headlining tour in five years, promoting the “Yeezus” album. The subsequent month witnessed Lamar’s feature in Eminem’s eighth studio album, “The Marshall Mathers LP 2.” Following this, he was honored as Rapper of the Year by “GQ” magazine in November. Throughout 2014, Lamar received seven Grammy nominations, including Best New Artist and Album of the Year, though he didn’t secure any wins that year. In May 2015, he featured in the remix of Taylor Swift’s “Bad Blood,” which soared to the top spot on the “Billboard” charts, earning them a Grammy for Best Music Video and a MTV Video Music Award for Video of the Year.

The release of “To Pimp a Butterfly” in 2015 witnessed its remarkable success, topping “Billboard” charts both in the US and several other countries worldwide. This album earned widespread critical acclaim for its innovative sounds and artistic essence, hailed by critics as a groundbreaking project that defies conventional hip-hop standards. At the 58th Grammy Awards, Kendrick Lamar scooped up five awards for his work on “To Pimp a Butterfly,” including Best Rap Album.

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Lamar’s subsequent album, “Damn,” was unveiled in 2017, promptly shooting to the apex of the “Billboard” 200 chart in the US and Canada. Leading the pack was his smash-hit single “Humble,” ascending to #1 on the “Billboard” Hot 100, US R&B/Hip-Hop, and US Rap charts. Additional chart-toppers from Lamar include tracks like “Swimming Pools (Drank)” and “DNA.” By May 2017, “Damn” had attained platinum certification. A highlight came at the 60th Grammy Awards, where Kendrick Lamar seized the titles for Best Rap Album, Best Rap Performance, Best Rap Song, Best Music Video, and Best Rap/Sung Performance. In the year spanning June 2017 to June 2018, Lamar amassed nearly $60 million.Lamar has had various endeavors, such as his successful album “Damn” which led to his curation of the “Black Panther” soundtrack, earning critical acclaim. His song “All the Stars” received an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Song. In 2022, his fifth studio album “Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers” was released, and the subsequent “Big Steppers Tour” set a new rap tour record, grossing over $110.9 million across 73 shows with almost a million tickets sold.

Making his acting debut in July 2018 on the Starz drama series “Power,” Lamar portrayed a Dominican drug addict named Laces. 50 Cent, also a friend and collaborator, served as the series’ executive producer and recommended Lamar for the role. His performance was highly praised by both reviewers and audiences.

In terms of real estate, Lamar acquired properties in California, including a home in Eastvale in 2013, a gated Calabasas community home in 2017, a Manhattan Beach residence in 2019, and a Bel Air property in 2022. Additionally, he purchased a four-bedroom apartment in Brooklyn in November 2023 and a mansion in Brentwood in May 2024.