In honor of Black Music Month, this June EBONY magazine recognizes the millennial music artists who’ve been breaking down boundaries, making waves and changing the game of popular music. When deciding who’d grace the cover of the latest issue, EBONY made a unanimous decision to tap the talented Kendrick Lamar as our feature artist. With his latest album, To Pimp a Butterfly, the Compton-born wordsmith has touched on topics reflecting the everyday conversations of Black America, becoming a voice of the new generation in the process. Whether you’re a loyal fan or a new listener, take a good look and an even greater listen to the state of Black Music in 2015. Kendrick Lamar.

If you don’t already have the album, don’t play yourself…get it: cllck here now.