Kendrick Lamar And Whitney Alford: A Timeline Of Their Decades-Long Relationship

2001-2005?: Kendrick Lamar and Whitney Alford Meet

Kendrick and Whitney met in high school. However, there’s not a lot of details about what year. The two attended Centennial High School, which is located in Compton, CA, and began dating shortly after becoming friends.

2009: Kendrick Lamar Raps About Whitney

In his 2009 self-titled EP, Kendrick rapped about Whitney in the songs “She Needs Me” and “Determined.” He highlighted how he can’t live without her in “She Needs Me” and shared how she’s been his rock in “Determined.”

2014: Kendrick Lamar and Whitney Alford’s First Public Appearance as a Couple

Whitney stepped out with Kendrick for the first time at the 56th Grammy Awards. Kendrick was nominated for seven awards, including Best Rap Album for Good Kid, M.A.A.D City.

2015: Kendrick Calls Whitney His Best Friend

Talking to Billboard in January, the Compton rapper opened up about his love for Whitney. “I wouldn’t even call her my girl,” he said. “That’s my best friend. I don’t even like the term that society has put in the world as far as being a companion — she’s somebody I can tell my fears to.”

Whitney Appears on Kendrick’s "To Pimp a Butterfly" Album

In March 2015, Kendrick dropped his highly anticipated third album, To Pimp a Butterfly, andWhitney provided backup vocals for songs “King Kunta” and “Wesley’s Theory.”

Kendrick Confirms Engagement to Whitney Alford

During a The Breakfast Club interview, the Grammy award-winning artist confirmed that he and his high school sweetheart were engaged. “Yeah, definitely,” he said. “I’m loyal to the soul.”

2019: Kendrick Lamar and Whitney Alford Welcome Their First Child

It was reported that the couple had their first child in July 2019. While her name wasn’t revealed at the time, fans later suggested that he mentioned her name in his song “Mr. Morale,” which is off of his fifth album, Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers. He rapped, “Uzi, your father's in deep meditation.”

2022: Kendrick Lamar and Whitney Alford Welcomes Their Second Child

The couple quietly welcomed a second child, a baby boy named Enoch and they made the big reveal on the cover of the Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers album. The cover features Kendrick holding Uzi while Whitney holds Enoch. Kendrick also mentioned Enoch’s name in his song “Mr. Morale” when he rapped, “Enoch, your father's just detoxed.”

Whitney Reflects on Working With Kendrick on "Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers" 

In May, the makeup artist reflected on working with Kendrick on the album, which she helped narrate, and thanked him in an Instagram post. “Sometimes the mirror is a harsh critic. Shit can get real ugly. Im proud of the work we’ve done individually and as a family. Honored to be a part of this album @kendricklamar. Thank you for your transparency. Healing can begin…,” she wrote.

Whitney Appears in Kendrick's "Count Me Out" Music Video

Whitney also appeared in her beau’s “Count Me Out” music video and shared a snippet on her Instagram page in December.

2024: Kendrick and Whitney Dance Together In the "Not Like Us" Music Video

In July, Kendrick finally dropped his highly anticipated music video for "Not Like Us." While there were many special moments in the video, one of the most talked about scenes was Kendrick, Whitney and their kids dancing in the living room. Many people praised their united front after Drake alleged that Whitney was having an affair with Kendrick's best friend and business partner Dave Free.

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