A Kendrick Lamar Biography Is In the Works Detailing His "Butterfly Effect"

Bandcamp Senior Editor and Pitchfork contributor Marcus J. Moore has signed a deal with Touchstone Books to pen a cultural biography called The Butterfly Effect: How Kendrick Lamar Ignited the Soul of Black America.

"My book details the artist's coming of age as an MC, how he helped resurrect two languishing genres (bebop and jazz), his profound impact on a racially fraught America, and his emergence as the bonafide King of Rap," Marcus tells Pigeons and Planes. "It details how his story directly connects to the charged spirits of art and revolution. Ultimately, the biography explores the broad global impact of Mr. Lamar and his work."

Marcus says Kendrick's camp is well aware of his plan to write the book and he has interviews in place "with people in and around the environment in which he grew up, as well as those who've helped him create music along the way."

He explains how he's "fascinated" with Kendrick's work as he's someone who "truly appreciates the foundation of black art."

"He's never forgotten where he's come from and I think that's honourable," he adds. "He's also a conflicted soul who's always looking to improve, and is never satisfied with the status quo. He shapes culture and music in a way no other lyricist has. As a a big fan of his work, I want to shed adequate light on the man behind the music while giving proper context to his art."