From K-Dot to Kendrick Lamar, “Overly Dedicated” was the project that officially propelled Kendrick Lamar from a local sensation to a national prospect. Released on September 14, 2010, this mixtape is widely regarded as the “birth” of the Kendrick Lamar we recognize today. Unlike his previous projects, where he employed technical rapping and mimicked the styles of greats like Lil Wayne to launch his early mixtape career, this project marked the beginning of his journey to finding his unique voice and delivering his signature sound, known as “Human Music.” Tracks like “Ignorance Is Bliss” garnered Dr. Dre’s attention, “Average Joe” showcased his “Good Kid” persona, and “P&P 1.5” shed light on the complexities of dealing with vices. Unbeknownst to many, the artwork cover features iconic images of some of the most renowned musicians who either passed away prematurely or tragically, reflecting K-Dot’s inspirations and mindset during that era. Produced by Sounwave, Tae Beast, and Willie B, the TDE’s in-house team, Digi+Phonics, and featuring collaborations with Ab-Soul, ScHoolboy Q, Jhené Aiko, and BJ the Chicago Kid, this project achieved sonic greatness. With our new series, Class Mixtape Run, we are here to bring that feel back like it was 2010 all over again! On behalf of Live Mixtapes listen to it below!
