Kendrick Lamar Mural Defaced Again in Compton
“Yesterday, somebody whacked out my mural/That energy’ll make you n—as move to Europe,” were the first powerful bars we heard from Kendrick Lamar on the opening track of his latest album GNX. This impactful introduction follows the stunning performance by mariachi singer Deyra Barrera, whose beautiful voice sets the tone for Lamar to fully express the vibrant tapestry of Southern California’s street culture. The combination of these elements not only showcases Kendrick’s artistry but also highlights the cultural significance of his music within the community. Through this collaboration, listeners are invited to experience the rich diversity and creative spirit that defines the region.
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The mural referenced by Kendrick Lamar in his song was painted on the side of Tam’s Burgers, a well-known burger joint that features prominently in his “Not Like Us” video. The talented artist Mike Norice is responsible for this mural, which has become a significant piece of local art. According to Norice’s Instagram account, he shared a video capturing the moment the mural was defaced, and this vandalism incident occurred shortly after a Dodgers game, highlighting the intersection of sports culture and urban artistry. This incident has sparked discussions about the role of public art and its vulnerability to destruction, reflecting the ongoing struggles within the community.
Alternatively, Kendrick might have been alluding to another mural created by artists Sloe Motion and Gustavo Zermeño Jr. earlier this summer. This mural, located on the back of a Honduran restaurant called Mi Sabor on Rosecrans in Compton, has unfortunately faced multiple acts of vandalism. Sloe Motion, one of the artists behind the mural, even shared a post on Instagram about this troubling event. In the post, he stated, “I was one of the artists who painted the mural and the guy who blacked out the Kendrick face literally just made it worse.” This highlights the challenges artists face when their works become targets of disrespectful acts, emphasizing the deeper implications of vandalism in cultural expressions.
Back in November, both artists shared an Instagram Reel showcasing security footage that depicted a vandal defacing their mural. They cleverly referred to the situation using the phrase “wacced out murals,” connecting it to Kendrick’s song. The caption accompanying the video read as follows: The artists expressed their frustration at the recurring vandalism while also recognizing the connection they now have with Kendrick through his music. This highlights not only the emotional toll of such incidents but also the resilience and determination of artists to reclaim their narrative through creative expression.
In an emotional message, they stated, “A couple months ago our Kendrick mural got hit. Of course we were pissed and wanted to fix it but it just kept getting worse. Flash forward to today and Kendrick drops a song about the situation. It doesn’t necessarily make it ok but it does feel good to have our hard work for the community immortalized in a song by one of the greatest to ever do it. Thank you @kendricklamar for making this situation a little better today.” This acknowledgement not only reflects their gratitude towards Kendrick but also emphasizes the importance of community and the arts in overcoming adversity, showcasing how music can serve as a powerful medium for healing and recognition.
The aforementioned Deyra Barrera spoke to Billboard about her involvement in Lamar’s surprise album, highlighting the significance of her contribution. She shared her excitement about being invited by Norice to participate in an upcoming episode of his YouTube series Art & Soul, which centers on the mural. This collaboration not only showcases the intersection of various art forms but also emphasizes the communal aspect of creative expression, as artists come together to share their stories and experiences through their work.
Barrera elaborated, “The artist who made that painting spoke to me. His name is Mike Norice,” during an interview with Sigal Ratner-Arias, deputy editor of Billboard Español. She continued, “I don’t know if you know a little bit about what happened when he did that painting, that it was scratched, vandalized, from Kendrick’s previous album, and because of that Kendrick made the song ‘Wacced Out Murals,’ the first song of the album where I appear.” This insight not only sheds light on the backstory of the mural but also highlights the interconnectedness of the artists’ creative journeys, showcasing how one act of vandalism can lead to unexpected artistic collaborations.
She added, “Then the artist invited me to be there. It was something very nice, because somehow we connected and we have that in common. There’s a documentary coming out of the artist who made that painting, so soon it’s going to come out. Very cool to be there, because we both, in some way, have that in common with Kendrick.” This statement reflects the deep bonds that can form through shared experiences in the artistic community and underscores the importance of storytelling in art, as it allows for personal connections and shared narratives to flourish.
