11-time 2016 Grammy Nominee Grand Marshal of 2015 Compton Christmas Parade
Mayor Aja Brown, the City of Compton and over 10,000 parade spectators welcomed home 2016 multiple Grammy nominee rapper Kendrick Lamar as the grand marshal of the 63rd Annual Compton Christmas Parade held Saturday, December 12. Thousands lined Compton Boulevard between Bullis Road and Alameda Street to catch a glimpse of the Compton native who rode in a 1964 Chevrolet Impala with his fiancé Whitney Alford by his side stopping at one point to tell the the crowd “Compton is number one!”
“We thank our grand marshal Kendrick Lamar for his participation in making this year’s Christmas Parade a special day,” said Mayor Aja Brown. “I thank Kendrick for his invaluable service and for always representing Compton.
“Thank ya’ll for this, real talk,” said an emotional Kendrick Lamar after receiving a special resolution honoring his participation in the parade from the Mayor and City Council. “I really appreciate it. This is my hometown. I was birthed right here so to get this award it means a lot. From 87’ all the way to 2016 we right here with this award and I appreciate it.”
Also featured in the parade was Compton native and chart topping rapper YG who took some time out to congratulate Kendrick Lamar on his Grammy nominations.
“I want to shout out Kendrick,” said YG. “He got eleven Grammy nominations, you feel me that’s big. Real talk.”
Other notables in this year’s parade included Councilmember’s Janna Zurita, Emma Sharif and Isaac Galvan along with State Senator Isadore Hall and Assemblymember Mike Gipson. Celebrities included Alonzo “Lonzo” Williams who spearheaded the mid-80s sensation, World Class Wreckin’ Cru, that included at the time Dr. Dre and DJ Yella. Williams was recently portrayed in the N.W.A. biopic “Straight Outta Compton.” Power 106 morning show host J Cruz of the all-new Cruz Show, Radio Free 102.3 KJLH’s Bobo and Elle Andrews, 94.7 The Wave on-air personalities Frankie Ross and Greg Mack. ABC’s ‘Black-ish’ stars Marsai Martin, Marcus Scribner and Miles Brown also came out to celebrate and assisted Mayor Aja Brown with handing out toys to over 1,500 children at her 3rd annual toy giveaway that immediately followed the parade at Wilson Park.
Centennial and Dominguez High Schools won for best performance by a Best Band while the Dynasty Imperial High Kickers Drill Team and Drum Squad took home the honors for Best Drum Squad. G-Town Royallettes took home 1st place honors for Best Senior Drill Team Unit with the San Bernardino Pacesetters coming in 2nd. For Best Jr. Drill Team, Longfellow Elementary School came in 1st place followed by Lincoln-Drew Elementary School. The Vaqueros de Compton took home the top honors for the Best Equestrian and Novelty Unit with the Compton Jr. Posse in second place. Willowbrook Middle School won for Best Tall Flags.
“Christmas is definitely a special time of year.” said Mayor Aja Brown. “It’s a time to enjoy family and reflect on the many things we all have to be thankful for. Compton has experienced one of the safest years in over a decade, new stores and employment opportunities for local residents and a renewed commitment from Compton’s beloved cultural influencers. There is definitely no place like home for the holidays and we are so very excited and humbled to welcome back Compton’s family members for the holidays!”
