Kendrick Lamar and Dr. Dre attended a groundbreaking ceremony for the new Centennial High School campus on Thursday in Compton, California. The artists, who returned to their alma mater, were joined by will.i.am.
During the event, Micah Ali, board president of Compton Unified School District, invited Dre to give a speech. The music mogul reflected on the significance of the moment when addressing the crowd. “Today is really nostalgic for me,” said Dre. “Sometimes you hear that term ‘full circle.’ This is really a full circle moment for me, because I did actually attend this high school.” The artist digressed, “Well, sometimes I attended. I was enrolled, I was here, sometimes,” before continuing, “I’m making a commitment, and that commitment is to let go of the notion of giving back. Instead, I’m embracing the power of investing forward.”
Dre emphasized, “Today isn’t just about a new building, it’s about a promise kept to the city that made me — point blank. Period.” He added, “This groundbreaking is where the vision we’ve shared for years finally hits the pavement. We aren’t just moving dirt today. We’re investing in the next generation that’s coming straight out of Compton.” Dre added, “We’re tearing down walls and opening doors for our next scholars, innovators, creators, pioneers, technicians, and engineers that absolutely have the potential to change this world.”
Dre and Lamar have both represented their native city throughout their careers and throughout their rise in the music industry. In 2016, Lamar received the Key to the City. The 28-year-old rapper was born in Compton and attended Centennial High School, where he was a straight-A student. He also represented his hometown when he served as the 63rd Grand Marshal of the Compton Christmas Parade the year prior, and the California State Senate gave Lamar a Generational Icon Award.
In 2015, Dre announced that he was donating all of his artist royalties earned from his third studio album, Compton, to help fund a new performing arts and entertainment facility in his hometown of the same name.
