Kendrick Lamar Officially Recognized as an Icon

Kendrick Lamar was honored by the California State Senate yesterday (May 11) when he was given the Generational Icon Award by Senator Isadore Hall III, whose district includes Lamar's hometown of Compton.

Senator Hall praised Lamar for remaining an active participant in his local community, despite his increasing fame. Hall said, "In less than 10 years as a professional artist, Mr. Lamar has gone from a local Compton young boy to become a multiplatinum, Billboard chart–topping, two-time Grammy Award–winning musician, an incredible achievement for anyone 27 years old. But Mr. Lamar has not let his recent fame get the best of him. If you visit Compton -- and I would encourage all of my colleagues to do so -- Mr. Lamar is a familiar face in the neighborhood."

Hall went on to highlight Lamar's monetary contributions to his community, saying that Lamar has donated "hundreds of thousands of dollars" to various after-school, music and sports programs that benefit young kids, and he has also worked with nonprofit organizations in an effort "to help keep Compton students off the streets and in the classroom." Hall called Lamar's story a "uniquely California one, and a story that should encourage others to accomplish their goals and give back to their community."

Lamar accepted the award and spoke on the Senate floor, expressing his gratitude by saying, "It's definitely an honor to be right here in front of you guys. Being from the city of Compton and knowing the parks that I played at and the neighborhoods, I always thought how great the opportunity would be to give back to my community off of what I do in music. In order to do that from a city all the way to a state standpoint and have these young kids look at me as some type of inspiration is an honor, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for honoring me today."

You can check out footage from the Senate floor in the video above.