Kendrick Lamar Net Worth (Money & Salary)

What Is Kendrick Lamar’s Net Worth?

With a net worth of $140 million, Kendrick Lamar stands out as an American rapper who ranks among the most popular and highest-earning artists globally. Throughout his career, he has generated over $250 million, with a remarkable $60 million earned in just 2018, positioning him as one of the year’s top entertainers. At this point, Lamar has been awarded 17 Grammys from 47 nominations, in addition to winning a Pulitzer Prize for his album “Damn.”

The momentum of Lamar’s career began with his first mixtape, “Youngest Head Nigga in Charge (Hub City Threat: Minor of the Year),” released in 2003, which caught local attention and eventually led to a contract with Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE).

Following this, the projects “Training Day” (2005) and “C4” (2009) showcased his developing style and lyrical skill. However, his impact on the national stage was solidified with the 2010 mixtape “Overly Dedicated,” which received critical praise and highlighted his introspective narrative technique. His debut studio album, “Section.80” (2011), strengthened his reputation within the hip-hop community, focusing on significant social issues facing the African-American community.

The release of “Good Kid, M.A.A.D City” (2012), Lamar’s first major-label album, marked a significant triumph, receiving accolades for its conceptual complexity, storytelling, and production excellence. The album, featuring hit singles like “Swimming Pools (Drank)” and “Bitch, Don’t Kill My Vibe,” enjoyed commercial success, establishing Lamar as a vital player in the industry.

His third studio album, “To Pimp a Butterfly” (2015), was another notable critical and commercial achievement. The album’s fusion of jazz, funk, and soul, coupled with its insightful examinations of racial issues, personal challenges, and societal commentary, garnered numerous awards, including several Grammy accolades. Lamar followed this success with “Damn” (2017), which earned him the Pulitzer Prize for Music, making him the first artist outside classical or jazz genres to achieve this honor.

Apart from his studio albums, Lamar’s impact spans powerful live performances, collaborations with various artists, and his role in curating the soundtrack for the film “Black Panther,” which featured the hit track “All the Stars.”

Early Life

Kendrick Lamar Duckworth was born on June 17, 1987, in Compton, California. As a child, Kendrick found inspiration in the music of his idols, Tupac Shakur and Dr. Dre, beginning his rapping journey during elementary school. His parents had relocated from the south side of Chicago to Compton three years prior to his birth, following his father’s involvement in gang activities, which led his mother to insist on a fresh start. His mother named him after Eddie Kendricks of The Temptations. Despite facing economic hardships, Kendrick fondly recalls a happy childhood and excelled academically 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, while still pursuing his high school education, Lamar produced his first mixtape (“Youngest Head Nigga in Charge”) and quickly caught the eye of local record labels. He secured a contract with…In the early 2000s, Top Dawg Entertainment was where Kendrick Lamar first gained traction before he went on to release another mixtape. His recognition significantly increased in 2008 and 2009 as he appeared in the music video for Jay Rock’s “All My Life (in the Ghetto)” and received a co-sign from Lil Wayne. After signing with Lil Wayne, he transitioned to using his real name, Kendrick Lamar, dropping his previous stage name, K. Dot. Subsequently, he released another mixtape and re-launched an earlier tape under his real name. During 2010 and 2011, Kendrick invested time in extensive touring, alongside releasing a well-received mixtape and an independent album. His debut major studio album, “Good Kid, M.A.A.D City,” launched on October 22, 2012, via Interscope Records and Aftermath Entertainment, eventually selling over 1.1 million copies within the United States. This album not only topped the US R&B/Hip-Hop chart but also peaked at #2 on the “Billboard” 200 chart.

On his debut performance on “Saturday Night Live,” Lamar showcased the first singles from the album, “Swimming Pools (Drank)” and “Poetic Justice.” He also collaborated with Adam Levine and The Lonely Island in a digital short, which served as the inspiration for the single “YOLO.” In addition to his studio albums, Kendrick has lent his talent to numerous singles alongside many renowned artists, including Big Sean, Robin Thicke, Drake, 2 Chainz, Birdman, and J. Cole.

In September 2013, Kanye West revealed that Kendrick would be joining him as a supporting act on his first solo headlining tour in five years, promoting the album “Yeezus.” The following month, Lamar featured on Eminem’s eighth studio album, “The Marshall Mathers LP 2.” November followed with Lamar being crowned Rapper of the Year by “GQ” magazine. In 2014, Lamar received seven Grammy nominations, including Best New Artist and Album of the Year, yet he did not secure any awards. In May 2015, he was part of the remix for Taylor Swift’s “Bad Blood,” which hit #1 on the “Billboard” charts, and the accompanying music video garnered a Grammy for Best Music Video as well as an MTV Video Music Award for Video of the Year.

The release of his album “To Pimp a Butterfly” in 2015 saw it ascend to #1 on the “Billboard” 200 chart, achieving similar success in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the UK. The album received critical acclaim and was lauded for its varied sounds and innovative creativity, with many critics calling it “groundbreaking” for Lamar’s ability to challenge traditional hip-hop norms. At the 58th Grammy Awards, Kendrick earned five Grammys for “To Pimp a Butterfly,” including Best Rap Album.

The next album by Lamar, “Damn,” was launched in 2017, topping the “Billboard” 200 chart and the Canadian charts. His most prominent single, “Humble,” achieved #1 on the “Billboard” Hot 100, US R&B/Hip-Hop, and US Rap charts. Other notable singles from Lamar include “Swimming Pools (Drank)” and “DNA.” By May 2017, “Damn” had been certified platinum. At the 60th annual Grammy Awards, Lamar garnered 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, he amassed nearly $60 million from various projects.

In the wake of “Damn”’s success, Lamar took on the role of producer and curator for the soundtrack of Marvel’s “Black Panther,” an album that received widespread acclaim from critics.and audiences. An Academy Award nomination for Best Original Song was earned by Lamar for the track “All the Stars.” He released his fifth studio album, “Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers,” in 2022. In 2023, the “Big Steppers Tour” achieved a remarkable feat, becoming the highest-grossing rap tour ever, netting over $110.9 million across 73 shows with nearly a million tickets sold.

Lamar made his acting debut as Laces, a Dominican drug addict, in the Starz drama series “Power” in July 2018. The series was executive produced by his close friend and collaborator 50 Cent, who requested Lamar’s casting. Critics and audiences alike praised his performance.

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

Over the course of his career, Kendrick has amassed 17 Grammy Awards, appeared on 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, making him the first non-jazz or classical artist to achieve this. Lauded globally for his insightful lyrics and rhymes, Lamar frequently features on numerous publications’ best rappers of all time lists. With over 70 million records sold in the United States alone, three of his albums were included in “Rolling Stone’s” 2020 ranking of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.

Personal Life

Kendrick became engaged to Whitney Alford in 2015 and they share two children: a daughter named Uzi and a son named Enoch.

A former cannabis user, Kendrick has embraced a devout Christian faith. Initially, during the 2012 presidential election, he expressed intentions not to vote, but shortly before the election, he changed his mind and announced his support for Barack Obama.

Real Estate

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