ARTIST STATEMENT: 
 
I gave myself two requirements for this Cereal Series: subject I love and use cereal boxes instead of paint. 
 
I have always been into the only Pulitzer prize-winning hip-hop artist who recently turned an iconic feud into a lyrical anthem for the West Coast. I just read a perfect description of the way he raps in Bizarre magazine: “dizzyingly fantastical.”  
 
Born in Compton and living in section 8 housing, Kendrick Lamar witnessed his first murder at age 5. He started writing and poetry shortly after, was baptized at 16, graduated high school with straight A’s, and grew up influenced by the music of his top 5: Tupac, Jay Z, Eminem, Biggie, Snoop. He’s got 17 Grammys in the bank and is currently nominated for seven more. He also runs every morning, encourages vulnerability, and talks to God all day. 
 
His red fruity pebbles box-crafted hoodie here emerged from my obsession with his pop out concert in Inglewood on Juneteenth this summer. He featured 25 West Coast artists and performed “Not Like Us” 5 times back to back holding a grey towel in his hand, angling for a night of unity.
 
Kendrick takes his cereal very seriously. He says he was raised on “the legendary” Fruity Pebbles (his favorite). We know this because of a video he made all about his love for cereal that lined up with his acclaimed song “Cartoons & Cereal” (which was actually not even released on an album due to sampling issues). 
 
Though my piece does not have the backdrop of the 18,000 plus dancing along in the crowd at the Forum during this LA pop-out performance, I wanted to show our next Super Bowl halftime performer in that California light that I think he brings to my favorite coast, our speakers, and people in general. In my (sit down and be) humble opinion, the world is blessed that KL’s song-writing, hard work, and vocal skills influence in the very best way.