Lupe veers into corny territory a lot more than Kendrick ever does.

The last part I can definitely agree with, the whole no Food and Liquor no Section 80 but I think Section 80 is an example of that style being advanced immensely. If I had to call one the main influence (haters get prepared) I'd say Kanye West's College Dropout, moreso than any other album, is responsible for rappers like Kendrick Lamar. I know that whole everyman thing was going on long before Kanye in the underground, but he did bring it to the mainstream (especially so for people presently in their twenties).

Section 80 to me is the perfect balance that previous rappers never achieved. They were often times too personal and too simplistic. Kendrick managed to speak on his life and make it relatable while at the same time addressing social/cultural/problematic aspects of his generation.