Kendrick Lamar is closing out XXL’s 2014 as their alive and well, very real and in print cover star. The Winter 2014 issue features K. Dots first-ever solo cover story for XXL where he writes his own piece. “He explores explores his experience with his extraordinary fame, the impact he has had on his fans (and vice versa), the process in which he records, his overall mind state after two years on the road and so much more.”

Appearing on The Colbert Show tonight (Dec. 16), be sure to watch his performance and get familiar with King Kendrick within XXL’s pages on newsstands today.

Watch the behind-the-scenes clip and more photos from the cover shoot on the following pages.