Kendrick Lamar Covers Complex’s August/September Issue

Kendrick Lamar is still the topic of conversation despite not having an album or a single out at the moment. The Compton rhymer is the latest cover star for Complex's August/September 2014 issue.

On the cover, the Top Dawg Entertainment artist sits behind a typewriter surrounded by a crumpled balls of paper. K.Dot looks as if he's pondering on new ideas for the follow-up to his celebrated album, 'good kid, m.A.A.d city.'

And that's the big question: Can Lamar produce a worthy follow-up to his first album?

At this point, Lamar is still working on the project, which doesn't have a title yet. Admittedly, the 27-year-old artist is a "super nervous" about the creative process for his next album. But he's not allowing the pressure to infect the recording process.

“If I keep focusing on, ‘I need to make something better than 'good kid,’ it’s going to be just that,” he tells Complex. “That’s not challenging yourself. I don’t want to become that person reflecting on what has been done. What I’m doing now is the question. I’m only as good as my last word, my last hook, my last bridge.”

Elsewhere in the interview, the topic of Lamar's controversial verse on Big Sean's 'Control' is discussed.

The TDE rapper shies away from the talk of being the "King of New York." Instead, he praises rappers who obviously hold the crown for NYC. “I feel B.I.G. and Jay will always be the King of New York," he said.

Lamar also talks about his snub at the 2014 Grammy Awards and Macklemore's Best Rap Album win at the ceremony.

“It wasn’t really a huge deal for me," he said. "Macklemore deserves the accolades. "That’s still my partner regardless."

The MC has received some great advice from Pharrell Williams and, of course, from his mentor Dr. Dre. He credits them as well as Jay Z and Nas for their longevity in the rap game.

“This is truly a blessing from a higher power," he tells the magazine. “And as long as I understand that there’s really no limitations to what I can do."

"Everything is forward with me. When I’m in the studio I’m looking for creativity I haven’t matched yet, a feeling I haven’t felt. It’s a high," he continued. "When you look at people like Jay Z, Nas, Dr. Dre, these people are established, but they love music and they love that high. You always want that feeling of creativity.”

Meanwhile, Nas, whom Lamar is often compared to, believes the young Compton rebel can deliver another powerful statement.

“Kendrick shook up the rap game, so anticipation for his second offering is through the roof,” he said. “Kendrick’s an album guy and the album artist has a whole different kind of value. Kendrick is going to be one of the most important writers of our time; dude’s a rhyming animal. Whatever he does will be appreciated, but at the same time he knows he has to bring it.”

True indeed.

Complex magazine's August/September issue with Kendrick Lamar on the cover will hit newsstands next week.