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ESPN The Magazine: Chris Paul and Kendrick Lamar (1:53)
Go behind the scenes on the making of ESPN The Magazine's Music Issue featuring Chris Paul and Kendrick Lamar. (1:53)
Brianna Williams, ESPNNov 22, 2024, 05:45 PM ET
In recent years, a striking parallel has emerged between two West Coast icons: the Golden State Warriors and Compton's own Kendrick Lamar.
(Cue "California Love" by 2Pac ft. Dr. Dre)
Every time Lamar drops an album, the Warriors seem to drop championship banners.
The team's title-winning seasons (2015, 2017, 2018, 2022) perfectly align with Lamar's last four releases: "To Pimp a Butterfly," "DAMN," "Black Panther: The Album," and "Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers."
So when Lamar surprised fans Friday with his sixth studio album "GNX," Warriors fans had reason to celebrate.
The Warriors' championship-winning years (2015, 2017, 2018, 2022) have lined up with the releases of Lamar's four previous albums ("To Pimp a Butterfly," "DAMN," "Black Panther: The Album," "Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers.")
The timing couldn't be better -- Golden State currently leads the Western Conference at 11-3 and faces the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday (7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN) with a chance to notch their sixth 12-3 start in franchise history.
To further support the West Coast agenda: in each of their previous five NBA Finals appearances, every time the Warriors have started 12-3 or better.
The Grammy Award-winner's connections to sports don't stop at the hardwood.
He's set to headline next year's Apple Music Super Bowl Halftime Show in New Orleans -- an announcement that apparently disappointed New Orleans native (and noted Green Bay Packers fan) Lil Wayne.
Lamar addressed this in the album's opening track "wacced out murals," rapping: "I think my hard work let Lil Wayne down... Won the Super Bowl and Nas the only one congratulate me."
Perhaps Dub Nation should consider sending Lamar a thank you note -- or at least a championship ring fitting.
ESPN Research contributed to this story
