Kendrick Lamar Crowned Rapper Of The Year by GQ

Kendrick Lamar has been crowned GQ magazine’s rapper of 2013 in their 18th annual Men of the Year issue.

A year on from the 26-year-old rapper’s debut album Tupachad a huge influence on him.

Kendrick explained: "I was coming from a late studio session, sleeping on Mom's couch. I'm 26 now - it wasn't that long ago. 

"I remember being tired, tripping from the studio, lying down, and falling into a deep sleep and seeing a vision of Pac talking to me. Weirdest s**t ever."

He continued: "I'm not huge on superstition and all that s**t. That's what made it so crazy. It can make you go nuts. 

"Hearing somebody that you looked up to for years saying, 'Don't let the music die.' Hearing it clear as day. Clear as day. Like he's right there. Just a silhouette."

Lamar's visit from Pac went on to change his impression of music as a whole, explaining: "It wasn't just about money, h*es, clothes, drinkin'.

"I mean, I come from that world, but at the same time, I started to realise that there's people out there that can't really connect to that lifestyle. They're in the struggle."