Lupe Fiasco has set the record straight on the narrative that he “hates” Kendrick Lamar.
After his comments about K. Dot being second best to Drake caused uproar, the Chicago rapper attempted to snuff out the notion that he has a vendetta against the Pulitzer Prize winner.
Digging into the archives, Lupe posted a video on X (formerly Twitter) that shows him bringing Kendrick out on stage during a 2012 show in the Windy City.
In the clip, Lupe crowns Kendrick — who at that point was weeks away from releasing his critically acclaimed debut good kid, m.A.A.d city — the “Next Big Thing.”
“Out of the many, there’s only one guy that I am a fan of that I think deserves this award, so the ‘Next Big Thing’ award goes to my big homie Kendrick Lamar […] This the future right here, y’all,” Lupe can be heard saying.
He sarcastically captioned the footage: “I been hating on KDot since 2012…day one hater. Big Hate…couldn’t wait till he came to Chicago so I could hate on him to his fucking face!”
When a fan called him out for “entertain[ing] these hating comments,” Lupe replied: “I love KDot always have & always will… But fuck a very particular section of his fan base hope you bitches stay broke and unhappy.”
I been hating on KDot since 2012…day one hater. Big Hate…couldn’t wait till he came to Chicago so I could hate on him to his fucking face! https://t.co/VfyvEhYjGn pic.twitter.com/6wXs0BjTYq
— CHECKIN’ Out Now! #APTMC (@LupeFiasco) April 17, 2024
I love KDot always have & always will…
But fuck a very particular section of his fan base hope you bitches stay broke and unhappy…
— CHECKIN’ Out Now! #APTMC (@LupeFiasco) April 17, 2024
The posts come shortly after Lupe Fiasco weighed in on Kendrick Lamar’s recently reignited feud with Drake and claimed that the 6 God is a “better rapper” than his Compton counterpart.
“Drake got bars […] so I would give it to Drake,” he said during an X Spaces conversation with fellow rapper Aye Verb. “I think Kendrick’s a better technically skilled performer but I don’t think he’s a better rapper.”
He also said he doesn’t view K. Dot as a “dangerous” MC when it comes to battling opponents on wax.
Lupe’s comments weren’t received well by Kendrick’s fans, especially considering his past criticism of the rap star — for which he later apologized.
While that portion of the X Spaces chat was widely shared online, one segment that didn’t get as much attention was Lupe praising the “HUMBLE.” hitmaker.
“I think he’s a great performer. I think he’s a great rapper. I think he makes great albums. I think he’s a great conceptualist. I think he’s a great mind. I think what he does for the culture is amazing. I love him to death,” he said.
However, he added that he doesn’t view Kendrick as an “amazing lyricist” and holds a lot of underground and battle rappers in higher regard than most “mainstream” artists.
