Yesterday (Oct.22), marked the official one-year anniversary of Kendrick Lamar’s major label debut “good kid, m.A.A.d city.” Taking inventory of K.Dot’s noteworthy releases and performances since last October, it’s clear the Compton-bred rapper is certainly no slouch when climbing to the top tier of hip-hop royalty. With the help of Top Dawg Entertainment and Shady/Aftermath, here’s the top five accomplishments King Kendrick has knocked off in the last 365. –Lauren Gaspard

Right before the official release of GKMC, the buzz about this new kid from Compton impacted not only the state of West Coast rap but was shifting culture as a whole. Neverless, with audio storytelling, conscious lyrics and car-thumping production, Lamar lived up to the hype, prevailing with a platinum debut album that is still sitting on the Billboard 100 charts a year later.

Kanye West called upon this new school leader to share the stage with him for his Yeezus tour this fall. West has been overheard singing K.Dot’s praises before, but what sealed the deal was when Yeezy revealed his plans to mentor the young lyricist for the months they get to share the stage. “I’m just looking forward to the opportunity to speak to this brother as much as possible,” said West. “Those conversations [are] gonna be more than everything I even said right here. He’s one of our future messengers, and I’m gonna give him them jewels.”

In just one year’s time, K. Dot has dominated the award show circuit. With 30-plus nominations spanning across the 2012 BET Awards, 2013 American Music Awards, 2013 Soul Train Awards, 2013 Billboard Awards, 2013 MTV Video Music Awards Japan, and countless others, the young MC has certainly proven just how overly dedicated he is to his success. His push toward a legendary journey has been unmatched, and with the 56th Annual Grammy Awards around the corner we can see the stars might be in his favor for the biggest win of his career.

Since the release of Big Sean’s “Control” track back in August featuring Jay Electronica and Mr. Lamar himself, many peers within the new school of rap found themselves under the microscope (and back in the studio). While some took K. Dot’s controversial verse as a call of duty, others (well, Drake) weren’t so pleased with KL’s audacity after a single body of platinum work. Months after boldly proclaiming himself to be the new King of New Yor’, we have yet to see anyone come for the crown nor his expanding throne.

One of the more humbling traits that many fans and foes alike have witnessed about Kendrick is his loyalty to his city and his crew. Although the frontrunner of the bunch, Kendrick Lamar remains alongside his Black Hippy clique (Jay Rock, Ab-Soul and ScHoolboy Q), who are the most highly anticipated crew to rise up from the West. With newest additions Isaiah Rashad and SZA, the collective crew looks to be building an even bigger takeover for 2014.