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How Does Kendrick Lamar Coincide with Warriors' Success?
© Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images

Although Kendrick Lamar hails from Los Angeles, California, the Compton native's discography coincides with the success of the Golden State Warriors. The Warriors began the 2024-25 season similar to their 2022 championship run, and coincidentally, Lamar released his new album, "GNX," on Friday before the Stephen Curry-led unit plays the New Orleans Pelicans.  

Lamar's debut album, "Section 80," was released in June 2011, the same year Klay Thompson debuted for the Warriors later that fall. Lamar debuted his second studio album, "Good Kid Mad City,"  in October 2012, to critical and mainstream acclaim the following year. 

Like Lamar's album trajectory, the Warriors' next season experienced success by making the 2013 playoffs. 

However, despite the success of "Good Kid Mad City,' Lamar opted to wait three years before releasing "How to Pimp a Butterfly" on March 2015. Meanwhile, Golden State won its first championship in the Curry era in June of that year. 

Since Lamar's third album, the Warriors share an uncanny connection by winning a championship for every LP since "How to Pimp a Butterfly."

Despite the Warriors' refusal to risk future draft assets or give up on their young prospects, they sit atop the Western Conference at 11-3. 

Considering the shared history between the two dominant West Coast entities, the Warriors' "Not Like Us" offseason could coincide with a 2025 NBA Finals victory as a Grammy could for Lamar next year. 

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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