Kendrick Lamar to be given hometown honour

Rapper Kendrick Lamar will be honoured with the Key to the City in his hometown of Compton, California.

Mayor Aja Brown will fete the Swimming Pools (Drank) artist during a special ceremony on 13 February (15), when he will be given the key to represent his significant contributions to their community.

"Kendrick Lamar is a phenomenal artist whose work has served as a catalyst to raise a new level of consciousness for this generation," Brown says in a statement released to Entertainment Weekly. "His message challenges the status quo and motivates listeners to rethink our society's institutions. I believe Kendrick Lamar is not only an artist, but an influencer of an entire generation.

"He represents Compton with great pride and I am honored to present him with the Key to the City, which symbolises our deep appreciation for his philanthropic work and commitment to our community."

The Key to the City accolade is just the latest honour Lamar has received in the past year - last May (15), he was presented with the Generational Icon award by the California Senate.

"Being from the City of Compton and knowing the parks that I played at, and the neighbourhoods," Lamar said at the time. "I always thought how great the opportunity would be to give back to my community off of what I do in music."

Lamar has previously shared his thoughts on becoming such a dynamic public figure, noting his newfound stature is daunting at times.

"I know I'm chosen," he told XXL magazine's winter issue last year (15). "I know I'm a favourite. I know in my heart there's a whole other energy and leadership side of me that I have probably run from my whole life. How much power do I want? How much can I handle? That's the question I keep asking myself."