Kendrick Lamar Net Worth (Money & Salary)

What Is Kendrick Lamar’s Net Worth?

Kendrick Lamar, an American rapper, boasts a net worth of $140 million. He ranks among the most popular and highest-paid rappers globally, having amassed over $250 million throughout his career. In 2018, his earnings reached $60 million, positioning him as one of the year’s top entertainers. As of this moment, Lamar has garnered 17 Grammy Awards out of 47 nominations and has also won a Pulitzer Prize for his album “Damn.”

His career began to take off with the release of his first mixtape, “Youngest Head Nigga in Charge (Hub City Threat: Minor of the Year),” in 2003, which attracted local attention and led to a contract with Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE).

Following that, his projects “Training Day” (2005) and “C4” (2009) demonstrated his developing style and lyrical talent. Nevertheless, it was the 2010 mixtape “Overly Dedicated” that marked his arrival on the national scene, receiving critical acclaim and showcasing his introspective narrative style. Lamar’s debut studio album, “Section.80” (2011), further established his position within the hip-hop community, reflecting on social issues that impact the African-American community.

His major-label debut, “Good Kid, M.A.A.D City” (2012), achieved monumental success, winning widespread acclaim for its conceptual richness, storytelling, and production quality. The album, featuring hits such as “Swimming Pools (Drank)” and “Bitch, Don’t Kill My Vibe,” was a commercial triumph and solidified Lamar’s role as a significant force within the industry.

Lamar’s third studio album, “To Pimp a Butterfly” (2015), followed suit as both a critical and commercial success. The album combined elements of jazz, funk, and soul while delving into themes of racial dynamics, personal struggles, and social messages, earning him multiple accolades, including several Grammy Awards. He maintained this momentum with “Damn” (2017), which made history by winning the Pulitzer Prize for Music, marking him as the first non-classical and non-jazz artist to receive this honor.

In addition to his studio albums, Lamar’s impact extends to his electrifying live performances, collaboration with fellow artists, and his role in curating the soundtrack for the film “Black Panther,” which featured the popular track “All the Stars.”

Early Life

Kendrick Lamar Duckworth was born on June 17, 1987, in Compton, California. During elementary school, Lamar began rapping, drawing inspiration from his idols Tupac Shakur and Dr. Dre. His parents relocated from the south side of Chicago to Compton three years before his birth, following his father’s involvement in gang activities, leading his mother to demand they escape together. Kendrick received his first name from his mother in tribute to Eddie Kendricks of The Temptations. Despite the challenges posed by their environment, he has shared fond memories of his childhood and was a straight-A student, excelling in award-winning essays and achieving remarkable test scores at Centennial High School in Compton.

Career

At age 16, while still in high school, Lamar released his first mixtape (“Youngest Head Nigga in Charge”), catching the attention of local record labels. He signed with

In the early 2000s, Top Dawg Entertainment was where he started, and he later released another mixtape. His recognition surged in 2008 and 2009, highlighted by his appearance in Jay Rock’s music video for “All My Life (in the Ghetto)” and receiving co-signing from Lil Wayne. After signing with Lil Wayne, he adopted the name Kendrick Lamar instead of his previous stage name, K. Dot. Subsequently, he released another mixtape and also re-released an earlier project under his real name. Throughout 2010 and 2011, Kendrick engaged in extensive touring while releasing a well-received mixtape and an independent album. On October 22, 2012, he dropped his first major studio album, “Good Kid, M.A.A.D City,” under Interscope Records and Aftermath Entertainment, which went on to sell over 1.1 million copies in the U.S. The album achieved #1 on the US R&B/Hip-Hop chart and #2 on the “Billboard” 200 chart.

Kendrick performed the initial singles from the album, “Swimming Pools (Drank)” and “Poetic Justice,” during his debut on “Saturday Night Live.” He also participated in a digital short alongside Adam Levine and The Lonely Island, which was the inspiration behind the single “YOLO.” In addition to his studio albums, Kendrick has contributed to numerous singles featuring well-known artists such as Big Sean, Robin Thicke, Drake, 2 Chainz, Birdman, and J. Cole.

In September 2013, Kanye West announced that Kendrick would join him as a supporting act for his first solo headlining tour in five years, promoting the album “Yeezus.” The following month, Lamar appeared on Eminem’s eighth studio album, “The Marshall Mathers LP 2.” In November of that year, he was awarded the title of Rapper of the Year by “GQ” magazine. Despite receiving seven Grammy nominations in 2014, including Best New Artist and Album of the Year, Lamar did not win any awards. In May 2015, he featured on the remix of Taylor Swift’s “Bad Blood,” which reached #1 on the “Billboard” charts, while the music video earned them a Grammy for Best Music Video and an MTV Video Music Award for Video of the Year.

The album “To Pimp a Butterfly” arrived in 2015, attaining #1 on the “Billboard” 200 chart in the U.S., Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the UK. This album was critically acclaimed, celebrated for its diverse sounds and creativity, and many critics tagged it as “groundbreaking” due to his skill in pushing the boundaries of hip-hop. At the 58th Grammy Awards, Kendrick secured five Grammys for “To Pimp a Butterfly,” including Best Rap Album.

Released in 2017, Lamar’s next album, “Damn,” achieved #1 on both the “Billboard” 200 chart and in Canada. His single “Humble” became his most successful track, topping the “Billboard” Hot 100, US R&B/Hip-Hop, and US Rap charts. Other notable singles of Lamar include “Swimming Pools (Drank)” and “DNA.” By May 2017, “Damn” had received platinum certification. At the 60th Grammy Awards, Kendrick triumphed in categories such as 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 various pursuits.

After “Damn”’s success, he produced and curated the soundtrack for Marvel’s “Black Panther.” The soundtrack garnered universal acclaim from criticsand audiences alike. An Academy Award nomination for Best Original Song was awarded to him for the track “All the Stars.” In 2022, he launched his fifth studio album titled “Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers.” The “Big Steppers Tour” set a record as the highest-grossing rap tour in history in 2023, generating over $110.9 million from 73 shows and selling nearly a million tickets.

Lamar made his debut in acting in July 2018 on the Starz drama series “Power,” portraying a Dominican drug addict named Laces. Close friend and collaborator 50 Cent, who was the executive producer of the series, specifically requested Lamar’s casting. His performance received critical acclaim from both reviewers and audiences.

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 achieved numerous accolades throughout his career, including winning 17 Grammy Awards, being featured on the “Time” 100 List of the Most Influential People, and receiving two civic honors. His album “Damn” won the 2018 Pulitzer Prize for Music, making him the first non-jazz or classical artist to receive this honor. Recognized globally for his insightful lyrics and rhymes, Lamar has frequently appeared on various publications’ lists of the greatest rappers of all time. With over 70 million records sold in the United States alone, three of his studio albums were ranked in “Rolling Stone’s” 2020 list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.

Personal Life

In 2015, Lamar became engaged to Whitney Alford. The couple shares two children: a daughter named Uzi and a son named Enoch.

A former cannabis user, Kendrick is a devoted Christian. Initially, during the 2012 presidential election, he stated he would not vote; however, as the election approached, he changed his stance and revealed that he planned to vote for Barack Obama.

Real Estate

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