In a cover story titled "The Gospel According to Kendrick Lamar," the Compton rapper touched on several topics of interest to the American public. Kendrick was asked to comment on Kanye West's slavery comments, and sensing the time had passed to create headline, the rapper simply stated, "He has his own perspective, and he’s on this whole agree to disagree thing, and I would have this conversation with him personally if I want to."
Kendrick Lamar also shared his shock at being recognized within the scope of elitist culture, telling Vanity Fair it was something he'd never seen coming. "I thought, to be recognized in an academic world . . . whoa, this thing really can take me above and beyond," said Kendrick. "It’s one of those things that should have happened with hip-hop a long time ago."
It's come to a point, that Kendrick now performs at Madison Square Garden with the concert Big Screen displaying his new moniker: "Pulitzer Kenny." Not only is Kendrick alive and well, but amidst all the turbulence in the industry, he still reckons he's "the greatest rapper alive," a conversation that begins with his name and ends shortly thereafter.
The cover photo was shot by the legendary Annie Leibovitz and the full write up undertaken by Lisa Robinson. You can read the full transcript here, Kendrick also dishes on his personal politics, a trip to the White House with his 'rents, his influences (Chuck D), and much more.