Fall 2024

Kendrick Lamar and Tupac Shakur

Influential Rappers

From the Set Musicians and Their Inspirations

Kendrick Lamar draws influences from many areas in his life when it comes to music, but his biggest inspiration is Tupac Shakur. Discover both performers’ history in the music industry, their lives offstage, and more with the help of captivating photos and accessible text.

Format List Price Your Price Qty
$31.99 $23.99
Interest Level Grade 3 - Grade 6
Reading Level Grade 4
Dewey Number 782.42
Lexile
ATOS Reading Level
Guided Reading Level Y
Language English
Publisher Lerner Publishing
Format Reinforced book
ISBN 9798765626696
Copyright 2025
Number of Pages 32
Dimensions 7 x 9
Graphics Full-color photographs

SLJ Review of Musicians and Their Inspirations

Gr 3–6–These six volumes feature some of today’s pop singers and the predecessors who inspired them. Miley Cyrus was influenced by her godmother Dolly Parton, Harry Styles was an admirer of Mick Jagger, and Kendrick Lamar was inspired by Tupac Shakur. Readers learn how each pair are alike and different. Both Lizzo and Aretha Franklin sang in their church choirs. Paul McCartney wears simple suits when performing but Taylor Swift frequently changes costumes during her concerts. Beyoncé and Whitney Houston both have distinctive voices, but Beyoncé writes most of her music while Houston performed songs written by others. Harry Styles often wears gender fluid costumes like his idol Mick Jagger. Brief narratives about each singer include a chronicle of their careers. The real attraction of these books will be the colorful photographs. The pairing of pop stars with their idols is an interesting premise, but the information is scant, making these volumes of marginal use to those seeking to learn more about their favorite stars. VERDICT Styles, Swift, Lamar, et. al. are the subjects of more comprehensive biographies, so selectors looking for more in-depth information can pass on these.

School Library Journal

Author: Tom Jackson