Here are his best collaborations:
1. Drake
Buried Alive (Take Care), November 2011
This is a haunting interlude. Not even a song really, but it’s one of the most unforgettable verses Lamar’s ever spat, talking about fame and success and trying to live up to Drake. Chills. It ends with a cliffhanger (will he achieve his goals?), but we now know the ending. (Random Drake fact: he was the first person to hear the completed version of Section.80.)
2. Kid Cudi
Solo Dolo Part 2 (Indicud), April 2013
Lamar not only raps a blistering verse, but also the hook. This is a rare, angry unfuckwittable Kendrick.
3. Talib Kweli
Push Thru (Prisoner Of Conscious), May 2013
It’s Talib Kweli. And the album’s called Prisoner Of Conscious. Fittingly, Lamar’s verse is a thoughtful rumination on overcoming circumstance, rife with double meanings and personification.
4. Schoolboy Q
Blessed (Habits & Contradictions), January 2012
A Black Hippy collaboration (Ab Soul is on the song, too). Lamar gives thanks and gives back with gusto, and great rhyme schemes.
5. Meek DeMeo
Paper Birds (Capital Vices), June 2013
In this intense verse from singer Meek DeMeo’s EP, Lamar covers gangs, guns and motivation, and refers to a mysterious “she.” Like Kanye West’s Homecoming, “she” turns out to be the artist’s hometown. In his case, Compton.
6. Miguel
How Many Drinks? (Kaleidoscope Dream), September 2012
A nice counterpoint to Miguel’s dubious “how drunk do you need to be for me to get laid” pass for romance, Lamar’s verse is less creepy, but more X-rated.
7. Quadron
Better Off (Avalanche), June 2013
Lamar at his most mushy: his Black Hippy crew must have given him shit for “I’ll play the prostitute if you’ve got the patience to pimp me.” But, otherwise, awww.
8. A$AP Rocky
Fuckin’ Problems (Long.Live.A$AP), January 2013
Out-and-out braggadocio (what more can we expect from a song with a Drake verse and a hook from 2 Chainz). Lamar even manages to plug his own tune, Money Trees.
9. Dido
Let Us Move On (Girl Who Got Away), March 2013
Lamar does a breakup verse, referencing his 2010 mixtape Overly Dedicated in the process.
10. J.Cole
Forbidden Fruit (Born Sinner), June 2013
Lamar only sings one hook on this album standout and throws in a couple of background “oh nos,” which is either a colossal waste of a guest spot or proof positive of Lamar’s mood-setting voice.
