Kendrick Lamar Sits Down w/ SZA for Harper’s BAZAAR Interview

written by kenjrick

In a rare sit down interview for Harper’s BAZAAR November issue, Kendrick Lamar, accompanied by the TDE icon, SZA, engage in a therapy-like session between two friends. The conversation between the global stars were as if both individuals hadn’t seen each other in a while and at first glance the conversation was already at 100mph. 

SZA starts off the conversation by asking Kendrick about mental illness. Kendrick starts deep – explaining how mental illness is something he’s accustomed to but not defined by it.

“My whole thing is, it’s all experience. I say some shit on a record and identify with a moment and then I don’t identify with it anymore. That’s just growth for me. All the shit is subjective.”

Kendrick goes on to share about the last time he willingly cried – during the making of “Mother I Sober”, then mentions the first time he willingly cried. The first time he willingly cried is documented, Kendrick says. In 2011, Dot was joined on stage with Dr. Dre, Snoop, The Game, and other West Coast affiliates in music. 

As seen in the video, Kendrick shares tears of relief, as the OG’s of rap openly pass him the torch in front of thousands. 

The “Universal Sensei”, as SZA jokingly, but with truth, calls Kendrick, begins to express that his superpower is the ability to navigate between energies, feminine and masculine. As a world class musical orator, Kendrick realizes that he must be able to communicate effectively in a way where his audience, whether large or small, man or woman, feels comfortable.

“This is where my superpower lies. Because if my job is to communicate, I need to be able to communicate with everyone. I need to be able to sit in front of SZA and talk to you in a way where you feel comfortable, in a way where it feels authentic from me to you, you to me, and I can’t do that with a wall up. I can’t do that with my full masculinity.”

As Kendrick prepares for his possibly slightly controversial 2025 Superbowl performance in New Orleans, Louisiana, he continues to take his stance as one of the greatest artists of this era but at the same time manages to uphold a sense of stoicism and peculiar bravado.

Article: https://www.harpersbazaar.com/culture/art-books-music/a62568151/kendrick-lamar-sza-interview-2024