Pusha T recently expressed his admiration for Kendrick Lamar headlining the Super Bowl LIX halftime show, calling it a major win for lyric-driven Hip-Hop.
Speaking at the 2024 REVOLT WORLD event on Saturday (Sept. 21), the Virginia rapper praised Lamar’s authenticity, particularly in an era where many artists are pressured to compromise their style for mainstream appeal.
“I’m sure people have told him throughout his career, ‘You’re great, but you rap too much. You need to make more commercial songs,’” Pusha said to moderator Walter J. Tucker. “But watching him stay true to himself and still rise as the ‘lyric king’ is amazing.”
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He added that Lamar’s impact extends beyond Hip Hop’s core audience. “People who don’t even focus on lyrics are now reciting his freestyles and songs. It’s great for what we do in lyric-driven Hip Hop.”
Pusha T has long shown support for Lamar, particularly after the initial announcement of his Super Bowl performance. When Lamar’s teaser video dropped, featuring the line “Only one opportunity to win a championship. “No round twos,” Pusha shared the quote on his Instagram Story with the caption, “This is true,” alongside a shrugging emoji.
Many speculated this was a subtle nod to Pusha’s infamous feud with Drake, though it remains unclear if the remark was directed at him or simply admiration for Lamar’s lyricism.
The two rappers have shared mutual respect over the years. In the song “Euphoria,” Lamar referenced Pusha, saying, “I don’t like you poppin’ st at Pharrell, for him, I inherit the beef / Yeah, fu*k all that pushin’ P, let me see you push a T.”
Pusha’s response? Pure admiration. “Incredible display of battle raps,” he told Vulture. His brother and Clipse collaborator, No Malice, even described Lamar’s verse as a “master class.”
As Lamar prepares to take the Super Bowl stage, the excitement surrounding his performance underscores the growing influence of lyricism in mainstream music—a sentiment that Pusha T, a champion of the art form, wholeheartedly shares.
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