‘Kendrick Lamar understands and employs blues, jazz, and soul in his music, which makes it startling. His work is more than merely brilliant; it is magic’ Toni Morrison

‘Lamar is a man living on a real and metaphorical peak, with one eye trained on the heavens, the other searching for stories in the valley below’ Guardian

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Kendrick Lamar is at the top of his game.

He has been described as the poet Laureate of hip-hop, perceptive, philosophical, unapologetic, fearless, and an innovative storyteller whose body of work has been compared to James Joyce and James Baldwin.

He is a visionary who will go down as history as one of the most important artists of all time.

But what’s so striking about Kendrick Lamar, aside from his impressive accolades, is how he’s effectively established himself as a formidable opponent of oppression, a force for change. Through his confessional poetics, his politically charged anthems, and his radical performances, Lamar has become a beacon of light for many people in America.

Written by veteran journalist and music critic Marcus J. Moore, this is the first biography of Kendrick Lamar. It’s the definitive account of his coming-of-age as an artist, his resurrection of jazz, his profound impact on a racially fraught America, and his emergence as the bona fide King of Rap.

The book traces not only Lamar’s powerful impact on music but also on our current society, especially under the weight of police brutality, divisive politics, and social injustice. With exclusive interviews with his family, friends, and record producers, this book is the must-read for any fan.

The Butterfly Effect is the extraordinary, triumphant story of a modern lyrical prophet and an American icon who has given hope to those buckling under the weight of systemic oppression, reminding everyone that through it all, we gon’ be alright .

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‘Essential reading’ Rolling Stone

‘By the end of listening to his first full album, I felt like I knew everything about him. He brings you into his world with his lyrics in a way that really paints a clear picture’ Eminem

‘I love everything about his music. I can literally listen to his music and become a kid growing up with all the struggles in the inner city, but at the same time [learn] all the lessons it taught that we use as men today.’ Lebron James

‘For a gentle dude, he throws a righteous punch; I wouldn’t get in the way of it. No single artist will ever be the antidote to a generation’s malaise, but just identifying some of the problems really helps’ Bono

‘Kendrick Lamar is a master of storytelling’ New York