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If you scroll down Blxst’s discography, you’ll see his name plastered alongside some of the biggest acts in hip-hop, including Kendrick Lamar, Nas, Snoop Dogg and more. Though being a perennial hook-man would quench many artists’ thirst, Blxst has a more insatiable appetite: being a jack of all trades.
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“I like to focus on just making the best body of work,” he said ahead of his debut album, I’ll Always Come Find You. “I love albums. So, in songwriting, I practice those things versus a hook. That’s one talent alone, down to the verses, the production, and the space on a song. All of it comes to mind when I’m making a record. I don’t only think, ‘Ok. So the hook is gonna go, so all of it is gonna fall into place.’ Nah, every detail gotta line up, too.”
Released on Friday (July 19), I’ll Always Come Find You is the masterwork Blxst had dreamed of making since childhood, hearing Ye’s Graduation or 50 Cent’s Get Rich or Die Tryin’. The 20-track entry is a cinematic thriller imbued with love, ambition, and triumph as Blxst navigates through the worlds of Birdie and Big E, fictional characters devised by the singer.
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“The characters Birdie and Big E are two versions of myself,” he says. “Birdie is my inner child, and Big E is the wiser version of me, and I’m dead center channeling the energy of my inner child but trying to be this greater version of myself. It’s just a journey, and I want people to be able to reflect and relate to it.”
With assists from Anderson .Paak and Becky G, Blxst takes creative leaps, proving his versatility. Most notably, on the latter, he rubs shoulders with the Latin megastar on “Rewind,” showcasing his ability to skate beyond L.A. lines. “I’m well aware that I’ve developed a sound that people can identify me with, which is my West Coast two-step that people love me for, but I’m also planting those different seeds of things that I’ve been inspired by as an artist,” he says.
Billboard spoke to Blxst about his debut album, I’ll Always Come to Find You, seeking inspiration from 50 and Ye, the importance of Kendrick’s Pop Out concert to L.A., and more.
You’re coming off two great mixtapes. What was the shift for you mentally knowing that you’re entering your debut album at this point of your career?
I would say the shift was channeling that inner child that fell in love with music in the first place and pulling those different inspirations. No Love Lost and Before You Go, I think I did a good job in developing a sound that people can identify me with, but also, it wasn’t everything that I am. I felt like with I’ll Always Come Find You, I was in position to have the resources to really make that dream album, and that dream album is a concept album, in my opinion — just keeping that art alive. 20 piece, skits and all. We got the short film attached to it. There’s so many layers that people can peel back.
That’s the type of fan that I am when I listen to my favorite albums — like [Kendrick Lamar’s] good kid, m.A.A.d city, and still being able to peel different layers back years down the line. That’s what I plan for fans to do with this one.
You grew up a fan of certain concept albums like Graduation or Get Rich or Die Tryin’. What did you take away from those projects when creating I’ll Always Come Find You.
I love how 50 made it bigger than just the music. It kind of remind me of how they do with Disneyland, for example. You got the audio, but you also can see it on ice or you can go meet Mickey Mouse. You can buy his ears. That’s how I wanted to create a world for my album. So we got the audio, which is a soundtrack to the short film and then we got the activation where we’ll bring the characters to life with the tour and all that.
You mentioned skits earlier on and you have E-40 speaking on a few of them. Talk about the importance of having skits and using them to thread together the story you’re trying to tell.
I think it just heightens the details of what you’re trying to get across the album. It’s mostly about the sonics — they’re here for the songs — but the glue is the skits and that’s what amplifies the story. We put details into that. We scored the skits and everything.
How selective were you when picking the right features, knowing that this isn’t only your debut album, but a concept release?
It’s kind of crazy because I started off sonically like, “What’s organic?” Who are the artists that rock with me naturally? Before I’d be like, “OK. This artist would fit perfect for this story.” I just tried to see who was rocking with me ’cause it’s tough just reaching out to everybody and banking on them to be a part of a rollout. Everybody on the album, I can genuinely say they’re rocking with me on a personal level or they reached out to me and was a fan of my music. Just breaking it down to the hero’s journey — if you look at the concept of a hero’s journey, it’s always that one person that’ll help you navigate through the journey that you’re about to embark. That’s how I look at each feature. These are different people that I came across on the journey that’s helping me get to that next stage.
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I remember Nipsey told me he started working on Victory Lap in 2014 and the first record he worked on was “Real Big.” For you, knowing that you were actively working on your mixtapes, were you also piecing together your album at the same time?
Mentally, I was because I wanted to complete a sentence. So it’s No Love Lost, Before You Go, I’ll Always Come Find You. So that was always the goal — but musically, that was later down the line.
You have two home run features in Anderson .Paak and Becky G. Did you have to step out of your element to make those features work, especially with the latter?
Anderson .Paak, I don’t really feel like that was too far of a step, maybe because of the fan that I am of him and just studying his catalog, being a super fan of Malibu. I literally have a tattoo on my neck of a bird because of his lyric, “A bird with a word came to me/ A sweetness of a honeycomb tree.” I’m a huge fan of him.
Does he know that?
I don’t think I’ve had a chance to tell him yet. [Laughs.] But I just think of me being a fan, I know the direction that he goes in with music. I know he loves live instruments and it was perfect combination. He’s from Cali at the end of the day, so it wasn’t too far.
I will say with Becky G — I knew it was gonna throw people off, but being from L.A., we blend with the Latin community like bread and butter. It was only a matter of time before I merged into that lane and I think we should do more of that just being where I’m from, but also just hip-hop. It started with Black and Brown anyway. So these moments need to be amplified.
You mentioned in the past how Ty Dolla $ign is a sensei to you. What are some things you’ve taken away from his artistry?
The limitlessness. He’s multi-dimensional. He’s from where he’s from. He always takes LA whereever he goes, but you can’t put that man in a box at all. I just like how he leads by example moreso than anything. When everybody was going left, he always went right. It was always unpredictable, but it wasn’t a reach. It was a perfect blend and he kept it soulful, too. Anytime he “crossed over,” it was still that soul and tone of voice that still related to what you love him for.
On “Long Way Home,” you speak about losing LA heroes like Nipsey and Drakeo The Ruler. You were part of the Pop Out last month. Do you feel like the Pop Out was a step in the right direction in terms of preserving and protect LA artists?
Hell yeah. [Kendrick] relit a certain flame that LA needed. It’s a certain light and pride that we uphold that I feel like we’re back on that bullsh-t again. Luckily, I was able to have an album in motion around this time to be able to pop out and continue that energy, but even being from LA and seeing what’s going on right now, the collaborative spirit is at an all-time high. It’s inspiring to see what one artist can do and it took somebody like Kendrick who’s at the top of their game to pull up young artists and say, “Y’all might not ever seen these faces before,” but they need some light too and we’re keeping that energy alive.
You were on “Die Hard” from Kendrick’s Mr. Morale era, and he’s clearly on a different type of time now. How would you compare Kendrick then and now?
Man, that’s another unpredictable guy. As soon as you think he’s going left, he’s gonna go right. That’s what I love about him as an artist.
He’s a Gemini, man.
He’s crazy and bipolar. [Laughs.]
You and Amanda Reifer teamed up again after appearing on “Die Hard” together. What made you guys reunite on this album?
We were Grammy-nominated. I wanted to keep that energy going. So I wanted to set the tone early and I got in with Amanda. This was actually our first time meeting each other like beyond the success of the “Die Hard” record. We got in and Sounwave executive produced this entire album. He did the “Die Hard” record, too. It was a good combination, man, and I’m glad we started the album like this. The title alone, “Long Way Home” just embodies my whole mental state in approaching the music industry.
You also brought the legendary Fatman Scoop back on this album. What made you decide to have him along for the ride?
For my album, I wanted some kind of nostalgic piece. I always go back to my childhood when I try to pull inspiration and my sister was a huge Missy Elliott, Ciara fan and them moments that made you dance. Hearing him hype up the song, there’s a certain element that we don’t really have today. There’s a few people that do it like Mustard and Khaled, I just wanted to keep that element alive and bring it back on a nostalgic level from the source.
How do you feel you’ve grown as a songwriter since the release of No Love Lost on this album?
No Love Lost to now? I think just naturally experiencing life. I still go through real life experiences. I’m a father of two boys. I come home to my family and I chill with them every Sunday, so I also like to express their stories for the ones who don’t write music. I think also being a listener moreso than anything kind of adds to that because I don’t really like talking a lot. I like to put it in the music and express myself in a artform. I think naturally over time that helped me progress my pen and how I narrate my story.
How was your Coachella experience and how did that help raise your confidence level as a performer?
Man, that’s one of the biggest stages that I’ve ever been on. So many legends that touched that stage, I didn’t wanna just jump on the stage with no regular, degular show. That’s why we added the theme of foreshadowing an album. We brought The Grand National that’s gonna play a part of the album on stage, and even down to the outfits, the storyline, the graphics, everything was all consistent and cohesive. The fans are gonna be able to peel the layers later down the line, but it was an honor. I take everything serious, because it’s an opportunity at the end of the day. I don’t have to. I get to. That’s how I approach everything.
How elevated is the tour going to be knowing the storyline behind this album?
Man, my team is going to have to talk me down because I been dreaming big! I’m thinking, like, how can we make it a play on stage? Bring the characters from the short film on the tour, where they can pop out and give a monologue.
Who’s gonna play Birdie?
Man, I’m Birdie.
Oh you’re gonna try to do double duty. Say less.
Right. [Laughs.] But we’re still experimenting and throwing ideas out there right now, but it’s definitely gonna be an alignment of the album.
YoungBoy Never Broke Again — born Kentrell Gaulden — remains behind bars for charges stemming from a prescription drug ring case in Utah.
According to Law & Crime Network — which was founded by Dan Abrams, ABC News’ chief legal affairs correspondent — a handful of fans were able to infiltrate the July 22 Zoom hearing and appear in the WebEx livestream where they dissed the judge handling the Cache County case, and demanded YoungBoy’s freedom.
“Free YB, man, free YB,” a fan said. Another went after Judge Spencer Walsh. “Shut yo b—h a– up, man, free YB,” they spewed.
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Judge Walsh played it cool amid the disruptions and asked the viewers to mute their microphones while he attempted to conduct the hearing.
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The Baton Rouge rapper’s attorney, John Williams, joined the hearing virtually late due to a doctor’s appointment and got caught up to speed. The next court date for YoungBoy Never Broke Again is set for Aug. 19, where Williams will once again appear via WebEx.
During a virtual hearing for #NBAYoungboy, whose real name Kentrell DeSean Gaulden, several Zoom bombers flooded the WebEx stream shouting at the court to “free Youngboy!” Gaulden is currently in jail for allegedly conducting a prescription drug fraud operation. pic.twitter.com/EebrEttPkv— Law&Crime Network (@LawCrimeNetwork) July 22, 2024
Billboard has reached out to the First District Court in Cache County for comment.
YoungBoy had been on house arrest in Utah for two years awaiting trial in a separate federal gun case, but was arrested at his Huntsville estate back in April for allegedly orchestrating a fraudulent prescription drug ring in Utah.
He’s facing 63 felonies and misdemeanors related to he case, including identity fraud, obtaining a prescription under false pretenses, possession of a dangerous weapon by a restricted person, forgery and possession of a controlled substance.
At least 15 pharmacies are said to be involved. Per the Associated Press, three other individuals implicated allegedly traveled to different pharmacies to fill out orders made by fake doctors.
The 24-year-old rhymer was hit with additional charges later into April connected to the same prescription case. He’s facing a second-degree felony count for possession of a dangerous weapon and two more misdemeanor counts of distributing a controlled substance.
On the music side, YoungBoy is yet to release a full-length project in 2024, but he teamed up with T.I. for “LLOGCLAY” in May.
Kamala Harris kicked off the first official day of her 2024 presidential run in epic fashion on Monday (July 22), raising more than $81 million in the first 24 hours after the nation’s current Vice President was endorsed by President Biden following the commander-in-chief’s announcement ending his bid for a second term.
The historic fundraising haul — which was boosted by 62% of donors making their first contribution to a campaign — was matched by an equally gaudy number of sign-ups for new volunteers in key swing states topping more than 28,000 as enthusiasm for Harris re-energized a democratic base that had grown pensive about Biden’s chances of defeating former President Donald Trump.
But perhaps the biggest bump of approval of all came from an unlikely source: Beyoncé. According to CNN, when Harris walked into her campaign headquarters on Monday night (July 22) night for her first official visit she did it to Bey’s 2016 Lemonade track “Freedom.” A source told CNN that Harris’ team got approval from the singer’s reps to use the song throughout her surprise second presidential bid.
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At press time spokespeople for Harris and Beyoncé had not returned Billboard‘s request for comment.
The Grammy-nominated song featuring Kendrick Lamar became the soundtrack for many of the street demonstrations around the nation following the May 2020 murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis police officers. “Freedom, Freedom/ Where are you?/ ‘Cause I need freedom, too/ I break chains all by myself/ Won’t let my freedom rot in hell/ Hey! I’ma keep running/ ‘Cause a winner don’t quit on themselves,” Beyoncé sings on the track’s soaring chorus.
The network noted the Bey is notorious for being very guarded about licensing her music, but that she gave “quick approval” to the Harris campaign when they reached out to ask for permission to use “Freedom” on Monday, just a few hours before the campaign HQ entrance. At press time Beyoncé had not officially endorsed Harris, though CNN speculated that the permission to use “Freedom” suggested that the fledgling campaign has the singer’s support. Though Bey has not given Harris her official thumbs up, her mother, Tina Knowles, joined a group of stars giving the veep’s run their stamp of approval.
“New, Youthful, Sharp , , energy !!!!” Knowles wrote on Instagram alongside a pic of her with Harris. “Putting personal Ego , power and fame aside . That is the definition of a great leader, . Thank you, President Biden for your service and your leadership . Go Vice President Kamala Harris for President. Let’s Go”
Beyoncé has been a supporter of democratic candidates in the past, singing the National Anthem at Barack Obama’s inauguration in 2013, headlining a pre-election show for Hillary Clinton along with husband Jay-Z in 2016 and endorsing the Biden-Harris ticket in 2020.
Former prosecutor Harris wasted no time during her first public appearance in taking it to twice-impeached convicted felon Trump, who is making his third run at the White House after Biden sent him packing in 2020 after a single term; Trump continues to falsely claim that Biden did not win the election.
“I took on perpetrators of all kinds: Predators who abused women, fraudsters who ripped off consumers, cheaters who broke the rules for their own game,” Harris told the crowd at her Wilmington, DE campaign HQ. “So hear me when I say I know Donald Trump’s type. And in this campaign, I will proudly put my record against his.” Once her 20-minute speech ended, Harris walked off stage to “Freedom” again.
The reported Beyoncé approval is in stark contrast to the long list of musicians who have repeatedly asked Trump to cease and desist from using their music during his campaign events. Similarly, a long list of A-list musicians have quickly leapt to support Harris’ bid — including Cardi B, Ariana Grande, Charli XCX, Katy Perry, Lil Nas X and many more — while the Trump-topped Republican National Convention last weekend featured appearances from a mixture of stars such as Kid Rock, Jason Aldean, Lee Greenwood and Chris Janson, as well as former wrestler Hulk Hogan, fired Fox News host Tucker Carlson, Russell Brand and Amber Rose.
Jay-Z’s The 40/40 Club closed its primary Manhattan location’s doors last year, but the legendary nightclub will be making a return for one weekend only.
In partnership with Fanatics Sportsbook, a reimagined version of the classy sports-themed lounge is coming to the Javits Center for Fanatics Fest NYC on Aug. 16, and will run through Aug. 18.
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Blending the worlds of luxury, sports and entertainment, The 40/40 Club returns, but will be open to VIP Fanatics Sportsbook customers along with the array of celebrities and athletes expected to be in attendance.
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40/40 is going all out in curating the ambiance that the esteemed nightclub held, with autographed jerseys and memorabilia hanging across the walls along with stadium seating and glitzy chandeliers illuminating the venue.
It’s slated to be a star-studded affair with Tom Brady, Kevin Durant, Yankees legend Derek Jeter, New York Knicks leader Jalen Brunson, Carmelo Anthony, Mike Tyson, NBA Hall-of-Famer Allen Iverson, Jerry Rice, David Ortiz, Spike Lee, Peyton and Eli Manning and more expected to be in attendance.
Jay-Z and Fanatics CEO Michael Rubin aligning is fitting considering they have collaborated on projects such as the REFORM Alliance in the past, and Hov pulled up to Rubin’s famed white party on July 4.
Fanatics Fest NYC is the first annual celebration bringing sports fans and card collectors together for a unique experience under one roof in the Big Apple. Tickets are still on sale, with adult day passes priced at $50 plus fees, with kids 12 and under going for $20-$30 plus fees depending on the day. There are also three-day passes and VIP packages ($400+) available.
Jay’s 40/40 Club’s Flatiron location closed its doors in August 2023, but plans to reopen in a brand new NYC location in 2025.
Like the rest of us, Cardi B is getting hyped for the kick-off of the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris on Friday (July 26). But unlike the rest of us, the “Bongos” rapper actually got to sit down with one of the most exciting members of Team USA recently to get her nails done and share some positive affirmations.
“You stand out, because the fastest woman in the world? She’s a real lit girl,” Cardi said to sprinter Sha’Carri Richardson as the two had their nails tended to for an NBC segment hyping the network’s coverage of the games. “You’re like a girl that I could really hang out with, really chill with, really be cool with, really be like… GIRL!”
Cardi said Richardson — the Team USA sprinter who is a gold medal favorite to win the coveted 100 meter crown in Paris after losing her spot in the 2021 Tokyo Games over a positive marijuana test — is “one of us,” a compliment that seemed to really touch her new friend.
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“I’m really, really proud of you, seriously, because you came back stronger than ever with your talent,” said Cardi, who may have been projecting just a bit as she continues to tease out the long-awaited follow-up to her smash 2018 debut album, Invasion of Privacy. “You have, like, evolved.”
Blushing at all the compliments, Richardson said “enough about me” noting, “you are Miss Cardi B and I feel like the same way you’re sitting here saying the inspiration or the way that I touch people, I feel like you have that same impact. Just being yourself inspires so many people.”
That last bit almost brought Cardi to tears, as the rapper once again told Richardson how proud she is of her achievements on the track and the women exchanged more praise for each other’s strength and determination. “You almost walked away, but this is what you love,” Cardi said. “And rapping is what I love and I cannot walk away from what I love because of how other people make me feel.”
Richardson then said the quite part out loud, imploring Cardi to get back to work on her as-yet-untitled, unscheduled sophomore album so she can have new tunes to train to. “I need my race day album,” Richardson said. “I need some new songs!”
And while Cardi didn’t offer up any news, she said after agreeing to sit down just to talk, she was walking away “inspired” and “warm” from Richardson’s beaming positive vibes. “The energy… I feel it girl,” Cardi said tearing up. “You’re so special. Like you’re really more than just like an athlete, you’re really special.” The two women then hugged it out.
Cardi posted the clip on X and added another inspirational message, writing, “Wishing @itsshacarri sooooo much luck!! You bought so much emotion out of me because your words and your spirit is so powerful. Seeing your growth after people tried to turn their back on you is so inspirational to me.. You are more than just a athlete, you are a SUPERHERO and I can’t wait to see where the next 10 years take you because you already a legend.”
While, like the rest of us, Richardson waits for Cardi to drop that new music, she’s well on her way to making her own headlines after winning the world championship in the 100 last year and scoring a world season-best 10.71 to win the 100 at the U.S. trials last month.
Watch Cardi and Richardson bond below.
Wishing @itsshacarri sooooo much luck!! You bought so much emotion out of me because your words and your spirit is so powerful. Seeing your growth after people tried to turn their back on you is so inspirational to me.. You are more than just a athlete, you are a SUPERHERO and I… pic.twitter.com/twacJPd8eU— Cardi B (@iamcardib) July 22, 2024
Khalid has unveiled the full tracklist for his forthcoming album, Sincere, which is set to release on Aug. 2.
Posting to social media on July 23, the singer-songwriter wrote, “10 days left until Sincere, The Album. Here’s the tracklist. The countdown has started!”
The album, which features the singles “Please Don’t Fall In Love With Me,” “Adore U,” and “Ground (Cotton Candy Skies),” marks Khalid‘s first full-length project since his 2019 release, Free Spirit.
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Khalid previously explained of the forthcoming album, “Sincere is a combination of my life experiences, it takes inspiration from conversations that I have had with my fans, supporters, and the people that love me. When I listen back to this project, I hear a sound that’s so unique and represents me at my best. This album is me at 26, continuing to evolve with the knowledge that I have garnered throughout the years.”
Back in early July, Khalid revealed that new music was coming via Instagram, where he called the album a “return to form,” adding, “I’m so happy to finally be back! Can’t wait to do it all over again.”
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Khalid has been teasing this album for some time, initially referring to it as Everything Is Changing and describing its creation process as “overwhelming” on X (formerly Twitter) in 2021.
Despite the challenges, he has managed to complete the album, which features a single collaboration with English indie-pop singer and songwriter Arlo Parks.
Here’s the complete tracklist for Sincere:
Adore U
Everything We See
Altitude
It’s All Good
Broken
Dose
Please Don’t Fall In Love With Me
Breathe
Ground
Who’s There To Pick Me Up
Tainted
Long Way Home
Heatstroke
Sincere
Owe It To You
Decline
Sincere will be Khalid’s first major release since his mixtape Scenic Drive in 2021 and follows the success of Free Spirit, which topped the Billboard 200 chart and included hit singles like “Better,” “Right Back,” “Saturday Nights,” and “Talk.”
Khalid’s latest project Sincere is out Aug. 2 via Right Hand Music Group/RCA Records.
On the heels of Kendrick Lamar’s Not Like Us: The Game arriving last week, Drake fans wasted no time in responding to drop, drop, drop, a video game celebrating “Family Matters.”
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An X account surfaced on Monday (July 22) for Family Matters The Game seemingly targeting Kendrick Lamar for OVO fans.
The video game is essentially inspired by Drake’s “Family Matters” bars making fun of K. Dot’s inclination to win Grammy Awards. “Kendrick just opened his mouth, someone go hand him a Grammy right now,” he raps on the scathing diss.
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The point of the game is to shoot as many Grammy Award trophies into Kendrick’s mouth as possible. As the levels go up, so does the game’s difficulty with Kendrick’s head moving from side-to-side with a digitized version of the “Family Matters” instrumental playing in the background.
“Made by some real ones to prove a point. That Not Like us game was trash. KBots backdooring the plays like Kendrick’s Spotify, haha,” the game’s credits state while insinuating that Lamar’s streams were artificially boosted in his war with Drake.
As of press time, Family Matters The Game‘s high score is listed at 19 by a user named Ron. “Let’s see if @Complex ,@XXL and all the other site run with the Family Matters Game like they did the other game. Someone send this ish to @Akademiks,” the game’s X account added.
Drake fans seemed to find the game amusing. “Nah this is hilarious whoever made this,” one person wrote. Anyone who thought the pettiness from both fan bases was going to die down appears to be mistaken.
Although, it’s been two different stories on the Billboard Hot 100. On last week’s chart — dated July 20 — K. Dot’s “Not Like Us” returned to No. 1 while “Family Matters” has fallen off the chart completely.
Drake delivered the eviscerating “Family Matters” on May 4 in what he thought would be a three-part kill shot on Lamar. However, Kendrick smothered Drizzy’s momentum with the diabolical “Meet The Grahams” just mere minutes later, which cleared the way for “Not Like Us” to be the true knockout punch.
Play Family Matters The Game here.
The New York Times profiled producer Michael Uzowuru recently and in the article, they talked about his relationship with Frank Ocean. Uzowuru, who has been affiliated with the Odd Future crew since around 2009, worked on Frank’s last two albums, Endless and Blonde, and more recently they’ve been in Miami making new music together. Explore […]
A contingent of fans are still convinced that there is static between hip-hop titans Kendrick Lamar and Lupe Fiasco.
During an all-encompassing Twitter Spaces over the weekend, Lupe cleared the air about not having any issues with the “Not Like Us” rapper.
“I’m a Kendrick fan for more than his music,” the Chicago rap dignitary responded to a fan. “I like his creativity and conceptualization. And the decisions that he makes. I also like his impact into the culture for Black folks. I like that he inspires Black folks. That’s why I never said I don’t like him.”
Lupe continued: “Cus even if I don’t like all his songs or listen to all his songs — and same thing with Drake — I understand their impact into the culture and I would never, ever, ever — because for me it’s us first — ever, ever, disparage.”
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The “Kick, Push” rapper implored the agitated fan to pull up receipts regarding an instance in the past that he showcased distain for Lamar.
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“I don’t have a problem with dude. Show me where I’ve explicitly said I don’t like him. Show me that. Then we can move on.”
However, Lupe did admit he was envious of the creative environment that Top Dawg Entertainment fostered for artists.
“One thing that I wish I had. This is me being open and vulnerable that I’ve always looked at like, ‘Man, I wish I had that.’ I wish I had that creative space that they created at TDE, he said. “When I say wish I had, I wish I had it back. When we first started rocking, that was our thing.”
Lupe added some context around a 2014 Hot 97 interview: “I was so happy that those things exist. Even in that Peter Rosenberg interview, where I called Peter Rosenberg a nut-hugger very jovially was that the thing that I do admire and wished I was a part of was that creative piece. “
Back in 2018, Lupe said Kendrick wasn’t a “top-tier lyricist.” “I’ll put it to you like this. K. Dot is not a top tier lyricist to me and my standards when it comes to punchlines and bars. His overall lyrics are good, his stories phenomenal, but punchline entendre lyrically I don’t see it,” he wrote in a series of tweets captured by REVOLT. He later apologized for causing a stir with Lamar.
Lupe continued: “Also the only issue that the world thinks I have with K. Dot and I actually do is that I think his ‘Control’ verse was wack and super overhyped to be a verse claiming you are the best rapper. It was very weird. I was told it was just bait, but still.”
The claims resurfaced in April when Complex compiled a list of rappers that have apologized to Kendrick Lamar following J. Cole’s apology to the rapper. “Relax yo,” Lupe clapped back at Complex. “I wasn’t apologizing to him… Keep my name clean…I fear no rapper of any kind or on anytime. K dot solid but y’all need to chill lol.”
In a separate part of the Twitter Spaces, Lupe Fiasco took issue with some of hip-hop’s gatekeepers and thinks those involved should have some form of a PhD in the genre.
“If you want to start who is in and who is out, a process which I don’t agree with, and I think is bulls–t, if you want to do that you should have a degree,” he said. “You should have a PhD in hip-hop. If you ain’t got that, then I don’t think that you are qualified to and have the right to speak on of hip-hop.”
Lupe has stayed busy on the music side this year, as he returned with his Soundtrakk-produced Samurai project in June.
Lupe Fiasco speaks on rap culture and who has the authority to dictated it. 🤔Kendrick fans saying he hating… people can say the same thing when it comes to Kendrick hating on Drake…let’s not do that 🤝🏾that’s all I been seeing anytime someone say anything good about Drake😂 pic.twitter.com/vxk1r5t7Qg— 💥DAO💥 (@TweezySol) July 21, 2024
M. Night Shyamalan’s breakout film The Sixth Sense — which became an instant pop-culture phenomenon when it was released in 1999 — finds itself in the conversation once again thanks to Kendrick Lamar. Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news The Compton rapper referenced the movie twice during his […]