Rakim praised Kendrick Lamar for yelling in the new track of the clip-on, one of the most powerful tributes he has received in years.
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In Kendrick Lamar’s name, Rakim shows love and praises him on the new clip-in track “Chapter and Whip” as one of the most meaningful nods he has received over the years.
The hip-hop pioneers took to Instagram on Saturday (July 12) to respond to Kendrick Lamar’s verses from their album Let God’s clip art.
“Let’s make it clear that hip hop dies again/My half of my profits may go to Rakim.” The bar is widely interpreted as a tribute to Rakim’s legacy and the impact on this genre.
Rakim, unable to bear his gratitude, wrote: “I salute you!
He added: “My brother, keeping incredible work, you’re not kidding!!!!!!
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God MC has long been respectful to him by Kendrick Lamar. Back in 2015, he said K. Dot was “that new fuel, it’s a conscious new fuel, not only is he doing today’s hot spots. He has something substantial, and he’s not afraid to make a statement.”
Last year, Rakim also valued the high-profile lyrical showdown between Kendrick Lamar and Drake, saying the conflict was “important” and “a genre that was very needed.”
He said it helps to shed light on the difference between “real” and “mainstream” hip-hop, a line he believes is becoming increasingly blurred.
“It gives a lot of things the perspective of many things,” Rakim explained.
When he introduced the props of the ring to both artists, Rakim’s comments tend toward Kendrick as the torchbearer of the core values of hip-hop, while Drake represents the commercial aspect of music.
