Passing The Torch: Kendrick Lamar Reflects On Compton, God, Tupac + Shows Love For Little Simz In New Interviews

Since the release of To Pimp A Butterfly, Kendrick Lamar has been fairly quiet. Where most stars of his caliber would have hit the press circuit with force, Lamar has spent the months following his critic-proof album's unveiling in communities across the states, reaching out to the impressionable young minds that need his gospel most. But a pair of interviews that recently surfaced add even more context to the album that keeps on giving and his mysterious anti-pop-star ways.

First up, an intimate sit-down with France's all-pop-everything outlet Konbini, where they hand Compton's brilliant, reciprocative son an iPad with clips of interviews with Tupac from different points in his career, a rather brilliant pairing, considering how integral a role Pac played in the creation TPAB, well beyond the closing moments on "Mortal Man." Here you find Lamar in a rare moment of vulnerability and deep contemplation, connecting the already apparent (K) dots between himself and the late legend's stance on gang culture, music and politics. It's a fascinating and quite heavy digital seance conducted by one of Pac's greatest and most devout disciples.

Interview number two finds Lamar across the channel, sitting opposite of BBC Radio 1's Annie Mac. Here he lightens up a bit, but keeps it intimate. Kendrick opens up about his Compton upbringing, spirituality and the new album.

Last but far from least, Kendrick hits Radio 1 Xtra for a little after-hours sit-down with MistaJam to continue the "why-did-you-put-out-such-a-lyrically-dense-record" conversation, but also giving props to some blooming talents, particularly the UK's own (and OKP's favorite "I told ya so") Little Simz. He says:

"She (Little Simz) might be the illest doing it right now. And I'm not even talking about from a female perspective. Just her confidence and her cadence and her delivery and her content and her stepping outside the box of a female emcee and doing what she loves to do. I love it"

So there you have it. Kendrick Lamar candid and comfortable as he's ever been, finally conducting interviews and letting us into his musical world. Peep all of the interviews above and stay tuned for the next episode. And if you've somehow yet to do so, cop To Pimp A Butterfly on iTunes today.