Kendrick Lamar may be a red-carpet regular and GQ‘s reigning Rapper of the Year, but it turns out he’s a pretty humble guy in spite of it all. Proof? The 26-year-old rap star recently bought a house in Eastvale, California, which is an hour north of Los Angeles, to the very reasonable tune (in the rap world, anyway) of $523,500.

Lamar’s purchase of the relatively modest, four-bedroom abode flies in the face of the lavishness that’s come to represent mainstream rap, but it’s completely in character for the Compton native. He has talked openly about growing up on welfare, the dangers of materialism, the importance of smart money management, and a rejection of indulgences stereotypical of his industry peers. If the budding superstar’s refreshing message is as well received as his work has been, we likely haven’t seen anything yet. And when it comes to Lamar’s riches, that’s just how he wants it.

By Lindsay Lambert, Editor