Kendrick Lamar
I’m in that group of people that didn’t really catch on to KDot until later. Section 80 didn’t do much for me, but I couldn’t deny good kid, m.A.A.d City. And while that album is still flawless and I rock it damn near daily…that was a year ago. GQ Magazine named him the Rapper of the Year….that punchline writes itself, but I don’t have much gripe with giving him the nod. He exploded onto the scene in ’12 and rode the wave in ’13. With the “Control” verse, various award show and TV appearances, his stardom is well crafted and greatly deserved. – Saule Wright