S. Samuel
Aftermath's Kendrick Lamar recently reacted to landing on MTV's annual "Hottest MCs in the Game" list and credited one hip-hop mogul, in particular, for fueling his confidence engine.
Despite having worked with numerous rap stars, Lamar said Aftermath boss Dr. Dre gave him the confidence to be himself and craft last fall’s highly-acclaimed good kid, m.A.A.d city LP.
“He said, ‘Yo, go out there, record your album and bring it back,’ ” Lamar told MTV News’ Sway Calloway on Thursday night, shortly after he learned he had received top honors in “Hottest MCs in the Game VIII” TV special. “I worked on it, worked on it, worked on it. Finally got it to a place where I felt like I got my point across, handed it to Dre as is — the same way you here it on this album,” he continued telling the story. (MTV)
The West Coast rapper also said the Doc surprised him when he went to turn in the LP.
Lamar figured he and Dre would come up with half a dozen new records and add some of them on top of what he originally recorded. Dre, however had different plans. “The moment I handed it in, I’m thinking we’re going into the studio and he’s like, ‘What you doin’? You’re done’,” Kendrick recalled. “It threw me for a loop because you hear about these stories. You know the stories; Aftermath. … For him to say that it’s ready. That gave me all the confidence in the world man.” (MTV)
To top off a huge year, Lamar earned the top spot on “Hottest MCs in the Game” list last night (March 8).
All hail king Kendrick. The West Coast rapper has been crowned MTV’s “Hottest MC in the Game.” After much anticipation, the full list was revealed on Thursday night. The “Poetic Justice” hitmaker makes his debut appearance at the top of the list based on a unanimous vote by MTV’s Hip-Hop Brain Trust. The Grammy-nominated 2 Chainz earns the runner-up spot, while last year’s top dog, Rick Ross, falls to #3. (Rap-Up)
Rather than rush back into the studio, Kendrick recently said he is taking the time to relish the fame.
“No I’m not,” Lamar said in an interview with rap personality Miss Info. “I haven’t locked in to album mode. I write everyday, though. I have ideas all the time. But me going to the studio, locking in and making the next album? Nah. I don’t feel like, I don’t want to force things. I still want to live in this moment. My biggest mistake, right now today, is just not living in the moment and understanding everything that’s going on. Like I told one of those fans out there, you’re family. I still can’t understand that I’m on this stage right now. You feel me? So I’m just trying to stay in the moment.” (Hot 97)
