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 one of the highest-paid and most celebrated rappers globally. Over his career, he has amassed earnings exceeding $250 million, with $60 million coming just in 2018, positioning him among the year’s top entertainers. As of now, Lamar has secured 17 Grammy Awards from 47 nominations and received a Pulitzer Prize for his album “Damn.”

The journey of Lamar’s career accelerated following the 2003 release of his first mixtape, “Youngest Head Nigga in Charge (Hub City Threat: Minor of the Year),” which caught local attention and paved the way for a contract with Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE).

His projects “Training Day” (2005) and “C4” (2009) highlighted his developing style and lyrical ability. Nevertheless, it was the 2010 mixtape, “Overly Dedicated,” that propelled him onto the national scene, receiving critical acclaim and establishing his introspective narrative approach. His debut studio album, “Section.80” (2011), further cemented his reputation within the hip-hop realm, focusing on social issues relevant to the African-American experience.

Lamar’s major-label debut, “Good Kid, M.A.A.D City” (2012), emerged as a monumental hit, garnering widespread acclaim for its conceptual depth, storytelling, and production quality. Featuring hits like “Swimming Pools (Drank)” and “Bitch, Don’t Kill My Vibe,” the album was not just a commercial success but also solidified Lamar’s status as a significant influence in the music industry.

The success continued with Kendrick’s third studio album, “To Pimp a Butterfly” (2015), which was both critically and commercially successful. Its mix of jazz, funk, and soul alongside exploration of social commentary, racial dynamics, and personal struggles earned him numerous awards, including several Grammys. He maintained this success with “Damn” (2017), which won the Pulitzer Prize for Music, making him the first artist outside of classical and jazz genres to achieve this honor.

In addition to his studio works, Lamar is known for his impactful live performances, collaborations with various artists, and his curatorial role in the “Black Panther” film soundtrack, which featured the hit song “All the Stars.”

Early Life

Kendrick Lamar Duckworth, born on June 17, 1987, in Compton, California, began rapping during his elementary school years, drawing inspiration from his idols, Tupac Shakur and Dr. Dre. His parents relocated from the south side of Chicago to Compton three years prior to his birth, motivated by his father’s involvement in gang activity and his mother’s demand for a better life. Kendrick’s name pays homage to Eddie Kendricks of The Temptations, chosen by his mother. Despite the challenges posed by his environment and his family’s financial struggles, he recalls fond childhood memories and excelled academically as a straight-A student, producing award-winning essays and notable test scores at Centennial High School in Compton.

Career

At the age of 16, while still in high school, Lamar released his first mixtape (“Youngest Head Nigga in Charge”), quickly capturing the interest of local record labels. He signed with…In the early 2000s, Top Dawg Entertainment marked the beginning of Kendrick Lamar’s career, leading to the release of another mixtape. He gained considerable attention during 2008 and 2009, notably appearing in Jay Rock’s music video for “All My Life (in the Ghetto)” and receiving a co-sign from Lil Wayne. After signing with Lil Wayne, Lamar decided to drop his stage name K. Dot and began using his real name. He subsequently released another mixtape and re-issued a previous tape under his real name. During 2010 and 2011, he toured extensively, producing a popular mixtape along with an independent album. On October 22, 2012, his first major studio album, “Good Kid, M.A.A.D City,” was released via Interscope Records and Aftermath Entertainment. This album went on to sell over 1.1 million copies solely in the United States, achieving #1 on the US R&B/Hip-Hop chart and #2 on the “Billboard” 200 chart.

Kendrick performed his album’s opening singles, “Swimming Pools (Drank)” and “Poetic Justice,” during his inaugural appearance on “Saturday Night Live.” He also participated in a digital short featuring Adam Levine and The Lonely Island, which inspired the single “YOLO.” Beyond his studio albums, Kendrick has collaborated on dozens of singles alongside prominent artists like Big Sean, Robin Thicke, Drake, 2 Chainz, Birdman, and J. Cole.

In September 2013, Kanye West announced Kendrick would be the supporting act on his first solo headlining tour in five years, promoting the album “Yeezus.” The following month, Lamar appeared on Eminem’s eighth studio album, “The Marshall Mathers LP 2.” In November, he was honored as Rapper of the Year by “GQ” magazine. Although Lamar received seven Grammy nominations in 2014, including Best New Artist and Album of the Year, he did not secure any awards. In May 2015, Lamar featured on the remix of Taylor Swift’s “Bad Blood,” which achieved #1 on the “Billboard” charts, and the music video earned them a Grammy for Best Music Video, in addition to an MTV Video Music Award for Video of the Year.

His 2015 album, “To Pimp a Butterfly,” debuted at #1 on the U.S. “Billboard” 200 chart, as well as in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the UK. The album received immense critical acclaim for its diverse sounds and innovative creativity, with critics describing it as “groundbreaking” for Lamar’s ability to defy the “rules” of hip-hop. At the 58th Grammy Awards, Kendrick garnered five Grammys for “To Pimp a Butterfly,” including Best Rap Album.

Lamar’s subsequent album, “Damn,” was released in 2017, reaching #1 on both the “Billboard” 200 chart and in Canada. His most notable single, “Humble,” climbed to #1 on the “Billboard” Hot 100, US R&B/Hip-Hop, and US Rap charts. Other successful tracks from Lamar include “Swimming Pools (Drank)” and “DNA.” By May 2017, “Damn” achieved platinum certification. At the 60th annual Grammy Awards, Kendrick triumphed in categories such as Best Rap Album, Best Rap Performance, Best Rap Song, Best Music Video, and Best Rap/Sung Performance. Between June 2017 and June 2018, Lamar amassed nearly $60 million from his various projects.

Building on the success of “Damn,” Lamar curated and produced the soundtrack for Marvel’s “Black Panther,” which received universal acclaim from critics.

He received an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Song for “All the Stars.” In 2022, Lamar unveiled his fifth studio album, “Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers.” The “Big Steppers Tour” achieved the record for the highest-grossing rap tour in history by 2023, accumulating over $110.9 million from 73 shows and nearing a million tickets sold.

Lamar made his acting debut in the Starz drama series “Power” in July 2018, portraying a Dominican drug addict named Laces. Close friend and collaborator 50 Cent served as the executive producer and recommended Lamar for the role. His performance was highly praised by critics and viewers alike.

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

Kendrick has garnered 17 Grammy Awards throughout his career, has been listed on the “Time” 100 Most Influential People list, and has received two civic honors. His album “Damn” was awarded the 2018 Pulitzer Prize for Music, marking him as the first non-jazz or classical artist to achieve this. Celebrated globally for his insightful lyrics and rhymes, Lamar features prominently in numerous lists of the greatest rappers of all time. He has sold over 70 million records in the U.S. and three of his studio albums made it to “Rolling Stone’s” 2020 ranking of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.

Personal Life

Engaged to Whitney Alford since 2015, Lamar is a father to two children: daughter Uzi and son Enoch.

A former cannabis user, Kendrick is now a devoted Christian. Although he initially claimed he would not vote in the 2012 presidential election, he later changed his mind and expressed support for Barack Obama.

Real Estate

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