*As he gears up for this year’s Grammy Awards (tonight), Kendrick Lamar received honors of a different sort as he got the key to the city of Compton.
According to TheYBF, Compton Mayor Aja Brown was on hand Saturday (Feb. 13) to present the rapper with the key at the Martin Luther King Monument at Civic Center Plaza. Among those at the event, which kicked off with a group of kids dancing to Lamar’s hits “I” and “Alright,” was rapper YG, who also hails from Compton.
After receiving the key to Compton, Lamar reminisced over what it was like growing up in the city as he took in the moment.
“Looking around as a kid, I was fascinated knowing that it doesn’t stop right here,” said the rhymeslinger. Being 5 years-old, I knew for a fact that I could be anything I wanted to be. And coming back here today and seeing these kids out here, we share the same similar stories.”
“And having this key to the city, it’s just not a representation or glorification that I have for Compton. It’s a representation of all of us,” Lamar continued. “This is a representation of us opening more programs for these kids and opening more job opportunities. That’s how I’m looking at it from my own platform.”
Prior to celebrating Lamar’s accomplishments and praising him as a good influence on the younger generation, Brown quoted lyrics from “Alright.” From there, things veered in a semi awkward direction as the mayor referenced Drake’s receipt of the key to Toronto on Friday (Feb. 12). In Brown’s eyes, the key Lamar got is better than the one Drizzy collected.
News of Lamar receiving the key to Compton comes as he becomes the one to watch at the Grammys. The entertainer leads all with 11 nominations for the annual event, which airs Monday night (Feb. 15) on CBS.
To see Brown throwing shade at Drake and Lamar’s acceptance speech, check out the videos below:
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