Kendrick Lamar returned to his former school, Centennial High School in Compton, California, this week to attend a groundbreaking ceremony alongside fellow music figures Dr. Dre and Will.i.am.

The rapper appeared at the event on Thursday as part of a community-focused initiative linked to the school.

The appearance marked one of Lamar’s few public outings following a relatively quiet period after his major 2024 run, which included his highly publicised feud with Drake and a successful tour alongside SZA.

Photos and videos from the ceremony circulated online, showing Lamar alongside Dr. Dre and Will.i.am as the three artists gathered at the Compton campus. Fans praised the event on social media, highlighting the significance of major music figures returning to support local communities and education projects.

Lamar attended Centennial High School before beginning his rise in hip-hop and has frequently referenced Compton throughout his music career. His appearance at the ceremony reinforced his long-standing ties to the city where he was raised.

The event also reunited Lamar with Dr. Dre, who played a key role in launching the rapper’s mainstream career. Lamar was signed to Dre’s Aftermath Entertainment during the early stages of his rise and the pair have collaborated on numerous projects over the years.

Their relationship remained visible throughout 2024, including during Lamar’s “Pop Out” concert event, where Dr. Dre made a notable appearance. Fans have continued to associate the pair closely due to their shared Compton roots and musical history.

While Lamar has remained largely out of the spotlight in recent months, attention continues to build around his future projects. Reports suggest he is currently working on a film project with South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone, despite delays surrounding the production.

Fans are also awaiting details about Lamar’s next studio album following the success of GNX, which became one of the most commercially driven releases of his career.