In andPOP’s new column “Schooled” Victoria Abraham defines one up and coming artist each week so you can impress your friends with your musical brilliance. This week, she tackles Kendrick Lamar, a hip-hop artist from Compton, California.

Take a pause from singing along to Taylor Swift’s newest ex-boyfriend song, and give a listen to the lyrical stylings of Kendrick Lamar. His debut album good kid m.A.A.d city, which just came out yesterday, is the story of Lamar and his hometown. In it, he discusses to excellent beats, the challenges a smart teen faces growing up in a negative environment. If that doesn’t make you want to listen to a couple of his tracks, then you’re a lost cause.

Origins: Compton, California

Full name: Kendrick Lamar Duckworth

Known for: Kendrick Lamar is known for his poetic, intelligent lyrics.

Used in a sentence: Mr. Lamar’s type of hip-hop sounds grown up and delicious.

File next to: Tupac, Nas

Download now: “Poetic Justice”

Five fun facts:

1. He used to go by the name K-Dot, but dropped it after the release of his mixtape C4.

2. He is a member of the hip-hop group, Black Hippy. Read more…