Kendrick Lamar has revealed that Ruff Ryders rapper, DMX, was a key influence in his early career.

In an interview with Philadelphia's Power 99, K. Dot spoke about his first inspirations, and also touched on the way watching Dr. Dre had helped him.

Lamar spoke on the fact that Dark Man X’s debut album made a huge impression on him.

"[DMX] really [got me started] on music," explained K. Dot. "That first album [It's Dark and Hell Is Hot] is classic, [so he had an influence on me]."

Kendrick also said that his mentor, Dr. Dre, was steering him clear of the mistakes that he had made himself.

"Basically, he's schooling me on the don'ts. What not to do," he said. "He made a lot of mistakes, and he's making sure I don't make the same mistakes."

The West Coast up and comer also described the material on his debut album, Good Kid, m.A.A.d City, and its personal nature.

"It's a real intimate album, real personal album," Kendrick revealed. "A lot of questions that people have been asking me in interviews are answered in this album. It's really me. It's my life. It's the lives I grew up with, and stories."

- By Fiona Guest