Kendrick Lamar explains how the “power of vulnerability” shapes his thinking as an artist and a human being

Ahead of his 2025 Super Bowl halftime show, Kendrick Lamar reflects on the personal narrative that informs his artistry. As a cover star 2024 issue of Harper Bazaar’s ‘Voices’The “Not Like Us” rapper was interviewed by fellow artist SZA for an article written by author Kaitlyn Greenidge. In an intimate conversation, the artist, affectionately known as “K-Dot”, discussed three elements which have contributed to his evolution and self-transformation in recent times.

“The power of honesty and being honest with myself, looking at the person sitting across from me and learning that vulnerability is not weakness,” Lamar said. “I’m probably still developing that last one.”

Although he often avoided dwelling on his childhood because “it was traumatic,” Lamar admits it was fundamental to understanding his relationship with vulnerability. The Compton rapper explained that his “tough” “warrior” father showed no weakness, as an alternative showing him the responsibilities of “being a man” by working and providing for his family. Lamar noted that his father “never showed any emotion that could uplift the person sitting across from him” – a trait he acquired naturally.

“I learned to experience it without knowing that I had (these) same characteristics,” he continued. “But in what I do, there is certainly no growth without vulnerability. If I had understood the power of sensitivity earlier, I could have gained more depth and greater connection with the guys who were around me in my neighborhood… Our parents never had the opportunities to express themselves the way they wanted. I always looked at us as a beacon of hope (for them).”

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While he’s widely known for the flexible lyricism heard on his albums, Lamar’s music also serves as an outlet to explore his sensibilities. In fact, the rapper reveals that some of his most vulnerable moments have happened in the public eye. In addition to crying during songs like “Mother I Sober,” Lamar says it was the first time he allowed himself to cry publicly on stage.

While performing with other West Coast rappers, Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg, the star explained that he broke down in tears as the two veterans passed the “torch” to him on stage.

“A burst of energy just came out and I had to let it come out… My tears are online. And now that I look back, I love that moment. I love that this happened. Because it showed me how I could express myself in real time and see all my work actually come to life in that moment,” he added.

Even though hip-hop stays a male-dominated industry, the Compton resident says his musical journey has shown him how to balance his masculine and feminine energies.

“The more I delve into my music and the more I express myself… it’s this feminine energy. This is not the bravado I grew up with all the time. This is who I’m, I speak softly and I actually have to simply accept it,” he said, explaining how he sees music as a form of communication. “Because if my job is to speak, I actually have to have the opportunity to speak with everyone… and I am unable to try this if I’m behind a wall. I am unable to try this with my full manhood… That’s my superpower.