Kendrick Lamar Net Worth (Money & Salary)

Kendrick Lamar’s Net Worth: What Is It?

With a net worth of $140 million, Kendrick Lamar stands out as an American rapper who ranks among the most popular and highest-paid artists globally. Over his career, he has accumulated more than $250 million. Notably, in 2018, his earnings reached $60 million, positioning him as one of the highest-earning entertainers that year. As of this update, Lamar has received 17 Grammy Awards from 47 nominations and garnered a Pulitzer Prize for his album “Damn.”

The journey of Lamar’s career began to take shape when he released his first mixtape, “Youngest Head Nigga in Charge (Hub City Threat: Minor of the Year),” back in 2003. This debut earned him local recognition and eventually led to a contract with Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE).

His growing talents were further showcased in subsequent projects like “Training Day” (2005) and “C4” (2009), which highlighted his developing artistry and lyricism. However, it was the 2010 mixtape, “Overly Dedicated,” that truly marked his entry onto the national scene, receiving acclaim for its introspective storytelling style. The release of his first studio album, “Section.80” (2011), fortified his reputation within the hip-hop community, delving into social issues pertinent to the African-American experience.

In 2012, Kendrick’s major-label debut, “Good Kid, M.A.A.D City,” achieved tremendous success, praised for its conceptual intricacies and outstanding production. Featuring hits such as “Swimming Pools (Drank)” and “Bitch, Don’t Kill My Vibe,” the album affirmed Lamar’s status as a significant player in the music industry.

Kendrick’s third studio effort, “To Pimp a Butterfly” (2015), garnered both critical and commercial success, blending genres like jazz, funk, and soul, while tackling themes of race, personal adversity, and societal issues. This album earned numerous awards, including several Grammys. Continuing this trajectory, his next project, “Damn” (2017), became the first non-classical and non-jazz album to win the Pulitzer Prize for Music.

In addition to his albums, Lamar’s impact resonates through his compelling live performances, collaborations with fellow artists, and his work on the soundtrack of the film “Black Panther,” which featured the popular track “All the Stars.”

Early Life

On June 17, 1987, Kendrick Lamar Duckworth was born in Compton, California. His journey into rap began during elementary school, motivated by his musical idols Tupac Shakur and Dr. Dre. Three years prior to his birth, Lamar’s parents had relocated from the south side of Chicago, largely due to his father’s involvement in gang life and his mother’s insistence on a fresh start for the family. His mother chose his first name to honor Eddie Kendricks of The Temptations. Despite the challenges they faced, Kendrick reminisces about positive childhood memories and excelled as a straight-A student, producing award-winning essays and achieving outstanding test scores at Centennial High School in Compton.

Career

At the age of 16 and while still a high school student, Lamar released his debut mixtape, “Youngest Head Nigga in Charge,” which quickly caught the attention of local record companies. He subsequently signed withIn the early 2000s, Top Dawg Entertainment signed him, leading to the release of another mixtape. By 2008 and 2009, he gained significant recognition, which included his appearance in Jay Rock’s music video for “All My Life (in the Ghetto)” and receiving a co-sign from Lil Wayne. After signing with Lil Wayne, he started using his real name, Kendrick Lamar, instead of his stage name, K. Dot. Following this, he released another mixtape and re-released a previous one under his real name. During 2010 and 2011, Kendrick extensively toured and dropped a well-received mixtape alongside an independent album. His debut major studio album, “Good Kid, M.A.A.D City,” launched on October 22, 2012, under Interscope Records and Aftermath Entertainment. This album sold over 1.1 million copies in the United States alone, peaking at #1 on the US R&B/Hip-Hop chart and #2 on the “Billboard” 200 chart.

During his debut on “Saturday Night Live,” Lamar performed the album’s lead singles, “Swimming Pools (Drank)” and “Poetic Justice.” Furthermore, he collaborated with Adam Levine and The Lonely Island in a digital short that served as inspiration for the single “YOLO.” In addition to his studio albums, Kendrick has lent his voice to numerous singles with popular artists such as Big Sean, Robin Thicke, Drake, 2 Chainz, Birdman, and J. Cole.

In September 2013, Kanye West announced Kendrick would be joining him on his first solo headlining tour in five years to promote the album “Yeezus.” The following month, Lamar appeared on Eminem’s eighth studio album, “The Marshall Mathers LP 2.” A month later, in November, he was awarded the title of Rapper of the Year by “GQ” magazine. Although Lamar was nominated for seven Grammys in 2014, including Best New Artist and Album of the Year, he did not win any awards. In May 2015, he was featured on the remix of Taylor Swift’s “Bad Blood,” which topped the “Billboard” charts, and their collaboration earned a Grammy for Best Music Video and an MTV Video Music Award for Video of the Year.

The release of his album “To Pimp a Butterfly” occurred in 2015, achieving #1 on the “Billboard” 200 chart in the U.S., as well as in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the UK. The album garnered critical acclaim, praised for its diverse sounds and creativity, with many critics labeling it “groundbreaking” for its ability to challenge the “rules” of hip-hop. At the 58th Grammy Awards, Kendrick collected five Grammys for “To Pimp a Butterfly,” including Best Rap Album.

Released in 2017, Lamar’s next album, “Damn,” soared to #1 on the “Billboard” 200 chart and in Canada. His most successful single, “Humble,” reached the top position on the “Billboard” Hot 100, US R&B/Hip-Hop, and US Rap charts. Other successful singles from Lamar include “Swimming Pools (Drank)” and “DNA.” By May 2017, “Damn” was certified platinum. At the 60th annual Grammy Awards, Kendrick captured the awards for Best Rap Album, Best Rap Performance, Best Rap Song, Best Music Video, and Best Rap/Sung Performance. Between June 2017 and June 2018, Lamar amassed nearly $60 million from his various projects.

After the success of “Damn,” Lamar produced and curated the soundtrack for Marvel’s “Black Panther.” This album received universal acclaim from critics.

Audiences and critics alike have recognized his talents. He received an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Song with the track “All the Stars.” In 2022, Lamar unveiled his fifth studio album titled “Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers.” The “Big Steppers Tour,” which took place in 2023, achieved the distinction of being the highest-grossing rap tour ever, amassing over $110.9 million from 73 shows and selling nearly a million tickets.

Lamar made his debut in acting on the Starz drama series “Power” in July 2018, portraying a Dominican drug addict named Laces. The executive producer of the series, 50 Cent, a close associate and collaborator, specifically asked for Lamar to be cast. His performance garnered widespread critical acclaim.

Kendrick Lamar Career Earnings By Year

• 2013 – $9 million
• 2014 – $9 million
• 2015 – $12 million
• 2016 – $19 million
• 2017 – $30 million
• 2018 – $60 million
• 2019 – $39 million
• 2020 – $5 million
• 2021 – $10 million
• 2022 – $10 million
• 2023 – $20 million

Total: $223 million

Accolades

Kendrick has accumulated 17 Grammy Awards during his career, made it onto the “Time” 100 List of the Most Influential People, and received two civic honors. His album “Damn” was awarded the 2018 Pulitzer Prize for Music, marking him as the first non-jazz or classical artist to achieve this distinction. Celebrated globally for his insightful lyrics and rhymes, Lamar has appeared in numerous publications’ lists of the greatest rappers of all time. He has sold over 70 million records in the U.S., with three of his studio albums featured in “Rolling Stone’s” 2020 compilation of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.

Personal Life

Lamar became engaged to Whitney Alford in 2015, and they together have two children: a daughter named Uzi and a son named Enoch.

Kendrick formerly used cannabis but is now a devout and practicing Christian. During the 2012 presidential election, he initially claimed he wouldn’t vote, but later, shortly before the election, he changed his stance, stating he planned to vote for Barack Obama.

Real Estate

• In 2013, Kendrick purchased a modest home in Eastvale, California, for $523,400.
• He acquired a residence in a gated Calabasas community in 2017, paying $2.65 million.
• In October 2019, he invested $9.7 million in a home located in Manhattan Beach, California.
• In December 2022, Lamar bought a residence in Bel Air, Los Angeles, for $16 million.
• Kendrick snapped up a four-bedroom apartment in Brooklyn, NY, for $8.6 million in November 2023.
• In May 2024, he purchased a mansion in Brentwood, LA, for $40 million.