S. Samuel
Seattle rapper Macklemore recently revealed his admiration for fellow West Coast hip-hop artist Kendrick Lamar and how he even pushes him to step his skills up.
Mack credited Lamar’s never-ending dedication to work for making him want to go that much harder as an emcee.
“He already is,” Macklemore said, co-signing Kendrick Lamar as one of hip-hop’s best artists out. “If he dies tomorrow, [he’s one of the best ever]. For one, he’s got a sh*t ton more music. He’s just prolific. He’s got a studio in the bus and every time I see him I’m like, ‘F*ck, I gotta step my game up.’ He’s always working. You can hear that.” (Hot 97)
Recently, rap mogul Diddy showered K. Dot with accolades over last year’s good kid, m.A.A.d city forcing artists to step their skills up.
“I feel like the timing of these albums coming out and these artists deciding to be honest with themselves and raising the bar… Kendrick Lamar came out and killed us and really f*cked our heads up with some realness. I think that he’s responsible for starting it, but I think these other brothers came back real hard and strong and are very, very competitive. That’s when hip-hop or music is at an all time high when people know and they respect, “Yo, that album is dope and I want my album to be better than that album,” or, “I want to challenge that album.”” (VIBE)
The Aftermath protégé stole the show last month at the BET Awards with some memorable performances and award wins.
Kendrick Lamar, who performed with Badu, won best new artist and best male hip-hop artist. “Most importantly to my little home boys and my home girls back in the city, you looking at me on TV right now, I came up in that same county building, food stamps, welfare section eight … this is living proof that you can do anything you put your mind to,” said Lamar, who is from Compton. He, along with 2 Chainz, are the second most nominated acts behind Drake, who is up for 12 honors, including five nominations for video of the year, which has 10 nominees. (Fox News)
Last fall, West Coast rapper Game compared Kendrick to rap veteran Nas.
He compared him to one of hip-hop’s most respected MCs. “Kendrick is like our West Coast Nas, so to speak–lyrically amazing,” he said, while warning other rappers not to mess with him. “I hope no one ever beefs or tries to attack him lyrically. You will definitely lose. His mind is crazy.” Kendrick reminds him of someone else from Compton. “His career is real reminiscent of my early start, minus the bandana. Kendrick is neutral in this. That’s our West Coast Nas and everyone should support that.” (Rap-Up)
Check out Macklemore’s interview:
