Kendrick Lamar’s recent verse on Clipse’s “Chains & Whips” caught the attention of rap legend Rakim.
On the track, Lamar paid homage to Rakim, a pivotal figure in Hip Hop, rapping about the genre’s indebtedness to the legendary artist. His verse included a powerful line: “Let’s be clear, Hip Hop died again / Half of my profits may go to Rakim.”
Rakim, widely celebrated as ‘The God MC,’ responded with appreciation on Instagram, “I salute you king. Thanks for the illest shout I heard in a long time, and keep up the incredible work my brother, you ain’t no joke!!!! Peace and blessings to you and yours.”
This isn’t the first time Rakim has shown support for Kendrick. During Kendrick’s public feud with Drake last year, Rakim admired the courage both artists had for taking on challenges, stepping aside from mainstream to focus on the artistry.
Rakim emphasized the importance of this battle for the genre, highlighting that many younger artists lack understanding of what constitutes real Hip Hop, and praised them for keeping the music pure and competitive.
In addition to Rakim, Kendrick has garnered acclaim from other hip-hop icons. Fat Joe recently noted Kendrick’s dominance in the West Coast scene, observing his significant radio play in Los Angeles. He stated, “What I can tell you is, boy, that Kendrick Lamar gets some spins in LA radio… Every single song, ‘Turn his TV off…’ What?”
Fat Joe continued, “Not even Snoop Dogg, not even Tupac Shakur — nobody from L.A. has dominated the paint like this guy… If you’re from L.A., you probably think there’s only one guy on Earth, Kendrick Lamar.”
The admiration from Rakim and other legends underscores Kendrick Lamar’s impactful presence in Hip Hop. His dedication to the art and respect from veterans cement his status as a leading voice in today’s music scene.
