Photo by Dan Monick

At this point, we're used to rappers talking about where they are today-- but Kendrick Lamar is focused on exploring his own history. While his new album, good kid, m.A.A.d. city, mostly focuses on his teenage years, the brand new "The Heart Pt. 3" tells a story from the more recent past, mixing transparency, insecurity, and ambition.

Kendrick didn't expect to be slated as the next Tupac; the first rap album he loved was from DMX. He felt excitement when Jay Rock got signed, and anxiety when Ab-Soul (who has a mini-verse here) told him that the music industry was dying. Now that the pressure is on to be a new rap icon, Kendrick feels that he has to "pray to God that [he] make it or live your life in the matrix, cause falling off is a sickness, I heard that it's quite contagious." Self-awareness like this is a gift, and it's one of the qualities that's ensured Kendrick's continuous improvement, even as the stakes keep getting higher.