The Butterfly Effect

How Kendrick Lamar Ignited the Soul of Black America

By: Marcus J. Moore

Narrated by: Adenrele Ojo

This “smart, confident, and necessary” (Shea Serrano, New York Times bestselling author) first cultural biography of rap superstar and “master of storytelling” (The New Yorker) Kendrick Lamar explores his meteoric rise to fame and his profound impact on a racially fraught America­—perfect for fans of Zack O’Malley Greenburg’s Empire State of Mind.

Kendrick Lamar is at the top of his game.

The thirteen-time Grammy Award­-winning rapper is just in his early thirties, but he’s already won the Pulitzer Prize for Music, produced and curated the soundtrack of the megahit film Black Panther, and has been named one of Time’s 100 Influential People. But what’s even more striking about the Compton-born lyricist and performer is how he’s established himself as a formidable adversary of oppression and force for change. Through his confessional poetics, his politically charged anthems, and his radical performances, Lamar has become a beacon of light for countless people.

Written by veteran journalist and music critic Marcus J. Moore, this is much more than the first biography of Kendrick Lamar. “It’s an analytical deep dive into the life of that good kid whose m.A.A.d city raised him, and how it sparked a fire within Kendrick Lamar to change history” (Kathy Iandoli, author of Baby Girl) for the better.

Critic reviews

"Narrator Adenrele Ojo does a credible job keeping the energy up as Moore traces Lamar's roots on the West Coast through his early projects and his commercial and critical success."

Un must para todo fan de Kendrick

Me gustó que este libro narra el contexto personal, social y político de la música de Kendrick y profundiza en lo que estaba pensando al sacar cada álbum, los momentos clave de su carrera y explica porqué revolucionó el rap. Lo único que no me gustó fue como en los últimos capítulos enaltecen demasiado a Barack Obama, claro que tuvo uno de los papeles más importantes en la representación de la comunidad negra pero sus acciones como presidente no fueron 100% buenas en cuanto a minorías y las guerras fuera de USA, me hubiera gustado que no usarán tanto tiempo en Obama y se centraran más en Kendrick.

Amazing

Great book. Really enjoyed it. Best part was hearing the author’s references to articles and interviews I already came across. I gained so much more perspective with all the new references and connections the author presented. Great job. Thank you.

Amazing Read and or listen

This was a very educational and inspirational story. Giving greater meaning to amazing lyricism. It truly is another take on history. Truly a must read.

Acronyms

Too many abbreviations and name dropping. It was a struggle to keep listening to it, and I finally stopped. I tried but wanted more story and less acronyms.