It’s been a month since Kendrick Lamar slayed the dragon, and definitively beat Drake in the rap battle of the century.
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Suggested Reading
Instead of gloating on social media or posting memes to rub it in the Toronto rapper’s face, Lamar has been quiet. Patiently waiting for the right moment to “pop out and show n****s.” Now that time is here.
On Juneteenth, K-Dot will finally get the victory celebration he deserves, and perform at “The Pop Out: Ken & Friends” concert at The Forum in Ingelwood, Calif.
The show and the timing are significant for several reasons, outside of the fact that Lamar won a rap battle against one of the biggest pop stars in the world.
It’s no secret that the Compton MC is extremely prideful about where he’s from, his Blackness, and the hip-hop culture as a whole. He’s displayed it throughout his illustrious career as a rapper, and during his recent rap battle with the 6 God.
For example, although the song, “Not Like Us” is a scathing diss track that makes some serious accusations against Drake and his crew, it’s also a message to all who attempt to latch on to the “culture” for fame, fortune and clout, but were never truly apart of it for the love or respect. The Toronto rapper is just the face of it (for Kendrick).
Just listen to the entirety of the third verse, where he essentially breaks down his rivals disregard for a Black mecca like Atlanta and claims that he’s been using the city and it’s artists. He revokes Drake’s culture card claiming he’s “not a colleague” but a “f***ing colonizer.”
Although “Ken & friends” will be enjoyed by millions, it will mean something more for people who truly recognize the significance of Juneteenth in the Black community. Especially since Lamar has so many other songs outside of “Not Like Us” that resonate with the Black community and speak to the difficulties we experience in this country (“Alright,” “Black the Berry,” “M.A.A.D City”).
“Ken & Friends” will be a victory lap for Black people everywhere and a celebration of his people in his community. The fact that it’ll rub salt in Drake’s wounds is cherry on top for Lamar and his fans.
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