The mayor of Compton has announced that Kendrick Lamar is to receive the keys to his hometown. The experimental musician, whose track “How Much A Dollar Cost” was selected by Barack Obama as his track of the year — and whose song “Alright” has become an unofficial protest song for the Black Lives Matter movement — will be recognized at a ceremony on February 13.
Mayor Aja Brown tweeted, “@kendricklamar you inspire millions + rep #Compton w/ honor! Excited to give you the #keytothecity Feb13th! #VisionForCompton #ComptonUp,” to which the rapper responded, “I appreciate that. HUBLUV”.
In a longer statement reported by RapUp, Mayor Brown says, “Kendrick Lamar is a phenomenal artist whose work has served as a catalyst to raise a new level of consciousness for this generation… His message challenges the status quo and motivates listeners to rethink our society’s institutions. I believe Kendrick Lamar is not only an artist, but an influencer of an entire generation. He represents Compton with great pride and I am honored to present him with the Key to the City, which symbolizes our deep appreciation for his philanthropic work and commitment to our community”.