In a heartwarming exchange, hip-hop legend Rakim expressed his gratitude after Kendrick Lamar name-dropped him in his guest verse on the Clipse’s new album, “Let God Sort Em Out.” The iconic rapper took to Instagram to share his appreciation for the shoutout, further solidifying the bond between these two influential figures in the rap game.
In Kendrick’s verse from “Chains & Whips,” he reflected on his experiences and acknowledged Rakim’s profound influence on the genre, rapping, “Let’s be clear, hip-hop died again/ Half of my profits may go to Rakim.” This acknowledgment resonated deeply with Rakim, who conveyed his respect for Kendrick in a video post, stating, “I salute you, king. Thanks for the illest shout I heard in a long time. Keep up the incredible work, my brother; you ain’t no joke! Peace and blessings to you and yours.”
This isn’t the first instance of Rakim showing support for Kendrick. In a previous interview with Billboard, he praised Kendrick’s willingness to engage in lyrical battles, particularly highlighting his exchanges with Drake. “A lot of people in that position won’t accept a challenge because they have too much to lose,” Rakim remarked. “It was dope that these brothers put mainstream success aside and said, ‘Yeah, let’s do it.’”
Rakim elaborated on how such battles help to differentiate “real hip-hop” from more contemporary interpretations of the genre. He noted that the discourse around these confrontations is essential for educating younger artists about the true essence of hip-hop, which can often be lost in the mainstream. “They just listened to the majority, not knowing that a lot of people don’t categorize what they were hearing as real hip-hop,” he explained. “The battle was very needed for the genre. I tip my hat to those brothers. Let’s just hope it remains about the music.”
In related news, Kendrick Lamar is currently on the European leg of his Grand National Tour with SZA, while Drake recently headlined the Wireless Festival in London for three consecutive days.
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