jun 17, 1987 - Kendrick Lamar was born in Compton, California, on June 17, 1987, the son of a Chicago, Illinois couple. Despite never having been in a gang, Kendrick grew up around gang members, two of his best friends being members of the Bloods, and his father, Kenny Duckworth, being a member of the Gangster Disciple. His first name was given by his mother in honor of singer Eddie Kendricks, of The Temptations.