Compton rapper warns against the dangers of stardom.

Kendrick Lamar and TDE’s Kunta’s Groove Sessions Tour stopped in New York last week. During the performance at Terminal 5, K. Dot paused to deliver an impassioned 6-minute monologue in which he thanked his fans and warned against the “vultures” that begin to circle when success comes your way.

“Within six months of good kid, m.A.A.d city dropping, the life of what I knew or knew what I was or think I knew, that shit changed within six months,” Lamar told the packed-out venue. “And you’re going through the vultures of the world telling you you’re great and you’re trying to make yourself believe that, but it’s hard because you’re institutionalized from where you come from.”

“I think this sh*t could live forever,” he continued. “I’m looking at y’alls faces. I got some of the most loyal, dedicated fans in the world and New York is one of them. Don’t mind me I could talk all day. To Pimp A Butterfly. God allowed this motherf*cking album to soar all the way to the top, with no motherf*cking commercial success. God allowed this to be top-tier without a radio single and sh*t.”

“I got some of the most loyal, dedicated fans in the world,” Lamar said, thanking the crowd for their support. Watch the speech below. [via HipHopWired]