Kendrick Lamar (born June 17, 1987) is a rapper from Compton, California. His music is influenced by Tupac Shakur, Nas, Jay-Z, Kanye West and DMX. He is a member of Black Hippy along with Jay Rock, Ab-Soul and Schoolboy Q. He released an EP in 2009 titled The Kendrick Lamar EP, an acclaimed mixtape in 2010 titled O(verly) D(edicated) and released his third solo project Section 80 on July 2, 2011. Lamar claims he has seen relatives that have died in his dreams for years and on one night in 2010 says that "Lesane parish crooks" AKA Tupac Shakur came to him with the message of "Keep doing what your doing, keep my music alive" this is what he says inspired him to write much of section 80.