Full Breakdown
Hip-Hop Legends Return to Centennial High School for Groundbreaking Ceremony
5/9/2026, 6:36:46 PM
Centennial High School Groundbreaking: A Full-Circle Return for Hip-Hop Icons
On Thursday, May 6 2024, Kendrick Lamar, Dr. Dre and will.i.am attended a groundbreaking at Centennial High School in Compton, California. The ceremony marked the first major construction at the school in roughly 70 years and a symbolic homecoming for the three alumni, whose careers are tied to the city.
Background: First Major Construction in 70 Years
Centennial High School, the alma mater of Lamar and Dre, has not seen a large-scale renovation since the 1970s. The district calls the new campus a state-of-the-art facility to modernize classrooms, expand STEM resources, and accommodate a larger student body.
Project Overview: Capacity and Design
The new building will serve over 1,000 scholars and includes recording studios, advanced STEM labs, and performance spaces. DLR Group was chosen by the district board to design the campus. Construction should start later in 2024, with completion aimed for the 2026-27 school year.
Official Statements & Responses
Dr. Dre called the ceremony a “full-circle” moment and framed the project as an investment forward rather than traditional philanthropy. Board President Micah Ali praised Dre as an “artist, innovator, entrepreneur, and global entertainer.” Board President Denzell Perry described the DLR Group design as bold and aspirational.
On-the-Ground Report: Teacher Reunion
At the ceremony, Lamar recognized his former seventh-grade science teacher, Nicole Findley-Miller, and embraced her. The teacher said her daughter urged her to attend after hearing Lamar would be there, telling her, “Just show up—he’ll recognize you.” The moment spread widely on social media.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on Dre’s exact history at Centennial. Some describe him as a freshman who transferred after one year; others note he “sometimes” attended and later dropped out. No source provides a definitive enrollment record, leaving the precise timeline ambiguous.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Today isn’t just about a new building, it’s about a promise kept to the city that made me — point blank. Period.” — Dr. Dre, Producer and Entrepreneur
- “I’m making a commitment, and that commitment is to let go of the notion of giving back. Instead, I’m embracing the power of investing forward.” — Dr. Dre
- “An artist, an innovator, an entrepreneur, a global entertainer,” — Micah Ali, Board President, Compton Unified School District
- “We’re excited to select DLR Group for the design of the new Centennial High School,” — Denzell Perry, CUSD Board President
- “She told me, ‘Just show up—he’ll recognize you,’” — Nicole Findley-Miller, Former Seventh-Grade Science Teacher
What’s Next
Construction will proceed in phases, beginning with site preparation. The district plans to integrate advanced STEM labs, performance venues, and community resources, aiming to elevate scholars and the city upon completion.
