Kendrick Lamar used one word in 1st grade—and his teacher immediately knew he was destined for greatness
A single word from young Kendrick Lamar stunned his teacher, setting the stage for his future stardom.
Teachers can have a powerful impact on students’ lives, advancing their learning skills by breaking down even the most complicated subjects from an early age. While it’s the job of a good educator to look after pupils’ educational development, there are some who manage to spot hidden, remarkable talents. Music legend Kendrick Lamar, who is in the news cycle for his pathbreaking Super Bowl performance, revealed the kind of enriching vocabulary he was well versed in during his childhood. An old and enlightening interview of the American rapper resurfaced online which showcased him recalling a heartfelt conversation with her first-grade instructor. In a widely circulating video reshared by a hip-hop fan account (@heritagehiphop on TikTok), the 37-year-old artist remembered the exact word he had used that convinced his teacher about his sure-shot chance of becoming successful.
Lamar, known for his complex songwriting and technical artistry, had reportedly been nominated for 57 Grammys. Out of which, he managed to win at least 22, thanks to his unconventional lyrics and a poetic undertone and deep symbolism attached to his music. Although, the Pulitzer Prize winner artist grew with times, yet his teacher believed in his innate talent of a “wordsmith.” Explaining how the specific word that he used was far beyond any typical first-grader’s vocabulary, Lamar was heard saying: “When I was in first grade, I was just fascinated by telling how my day started, and how yesterday went. And, um, it was one particular word that I said in first grade. It was the word ‘audacity.’”
The rapper went on to say that the educator was amazed to hear the kind of “bold” word choice coming straight from a first-grader’s tiny mouth. “And my teacher, she pulled me to the corner and said, ‘You know what that means?’ I told her the definition, and she was like, ‘You’re a wordsmith. You may not know it, but you’re in love with words,’” he continued. According to the award-winning artist, the extraordinary moment changed his future course in life, paving the way for his hidden talent to be fully realized.
Emphasizing how the eye-opening conversation with the teacher had a profound impact on him as a child, Lamar stated, “And ever since that moment, I just loved to write. That [has] always been my favorite, um, course in school — English and literature. And, um, I excelled at that and made that transform into poetry.” Furthermore, the rapper, hailed for his latest Super Bowl LIX halftime performance, acknowledged his unsung teacher’s efforts in ensuring a promising future for her students. As seen in the one-minute excerpt from the interview, Lamar heaped praise on the first-grade, unidentified teacher for her teaching style and acceptance of her students and their ideas.
“What she did allowed me to, um, explore my own imagination and in-depth what was going on outside of my community,” he concluded. Meanwhile, the uplifting footage managed to draw widespread attention on social media, including from @sweet_lupy, who wrote, “My teacher, Mrs. Johnson, handed me books I wouldn’t have been exposed to, and that’s why I’m so grateful to her.” “Kendrick's life has been an inspirational roller coaster ride,” @lanaayala7 echoed similar sentiments.
@heritagehiphop Good teachers will always care to build a child/student up and change the world through the passion shared with a child that believes in themselves. This IS Hip-Hop Subacribe to @heritagehiphop on all social media platforms and podcast streaming platforms for more. #hiphop #education #kendricklamar #inspiration #fyp ♬ original sound - Heritage Hip-Hop
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