Compton, California, is known for launching the rap careers of stars like Kendrick Lamar, and music provides a promising avenue out of the community’s cycle of violence. In the second of six segments of Noisey Bompton, we spend a day with Kendrick’s childhood friend Lil L, who’s pursuing his own musical ambitions. L’s grandma invites us over for a gumbo dinner and shares her experiences as a mother and grandmother who’s lived in Compton since 1965. Then we head to one of the West Side’s many hole-in-the-wall studios, where L gets to work recording with his friend Earl Swavey and producer Larry Jayy.
Noisey Bompton is a new documentary made by the people who brought you Noisey Atlanta and Noisey Chiraq. It’s the first episode in an eight part series, NOISEY, on VICE’s upcoming TV channel VICELAND. Each episode focuses on a different city, its major stars, and the stories and issues that influence its music scene.