Kendrick Lamar talks about how he didn't believe his verse on Control was a big deal when he initially wrote it, he then goes on to talk about his new single "i", his Grammys performance with Imagine Dragons, and Macklemore's apology text.
He says that he believes something that's missing in music right now is music that has life in it, he explains that the music people put out actually affects people so he can talk slick all he wants on mic but no one will be able to relate to it. He also talks about actually having fans care about his music, he says that if all you do is hop on trends or do songs for radio the fans will lose belief in your music, he uses an example with Taylor Swift fans really believing in them music which is why she is able to do big numbers. This is reminiscent of what he said about the Kendrick Lamar EP in interviews, where he called it "human music".
In 2014, Kendrick Lamar appeared on Hot 97's morning show with hosts Ebro Darden, Peter Rosenberg, and Laura Stylez for an in-depth interview that provided remarkable insights into his artistic philosophy. This conversation occurred during a critical period between his major-label debut "good kid, m.A.A.d city" (2012) and before the release of his groundbreaking album "To Pimp a Butterfly" (2015). The interview covered his musical direction, the reception of his single "i," his controversial "Control" verse, industry relationships, Grammy experience, and his deeply held beliefs about music's cultural impact.
During the interview, Kendrick Lamar discussed his evolving sound, describing his upcoming album as featuring more "raw" live instrumentation compared to the sample and drum machine-driven production of "good kid, m.A.A.d city." He explained: "If anything, aside from 'good kid,' it probably feel even more raw because it's a little bit more dirty with the live dirty drums on it... it's not something that's contemporary with the MPC [where] you press in different patterns." This statement presciently outlined the direction that would define his next release.
Lamar revealed his continued working relationship with Dr. Dre while maintaining loyalty to his core production team: Soundwave, Thundercat, and Tae Beast. He also confirmed collaboration with Pharrell Williams on "a few records," though he refrained from specifying how many would make the final album. When compared to André 3000 of OutKast, Lamar embraced the association, positioning himself as "a student of the game first" who studies and incorporates elements from hip-hop predecessors.
A significant portion of the interview addressed the mixed reception to Lamar's then-recent single "i," which sampled The Isley Brothers' "That Lady." Some listeners questioned whether the more melodic, uplifting track represented a commercial compromise from an artist known for complex narratives and harder-edged production.
Lamar firmly rejected this characterization, revealing deeply personal motivations behind the song: "I wrote a record for the homies that's in a penitentiary right now, and I also wrote a record for these kids that come up to my show with these slashes on the wrists saying they don't want to live no more." This powerful statement highlighted how his artistic choices were driven by social impact rather than commercial considerations.
He challenged contemporary genre classifications, noting the irony that using an Isley Brothers sample was being categorized as "pop" rather than recognized as part of a Black musical tradition. Lamar expressed a desire to "revamp that whole thing and put it back to its original origins" by reclaiming these sounds within hip-hop.
The most profound insights emerged when Lamar articulated his vision for hip-hop's cultural responsibility. He expressed concern about diminishing support for hip-hop within Black communities: "We're in a world where in the music game, Black people don't necessarily support the artists like they should." He contrasted this with the consistent fan base support for artists like Taylor Swift, connecting this observation to deeper questions about cultural sustainability and authenticity.
Lamar rejected creating music primarily for commercial success, describing his approach as mission-driven: "I can sit up here and talk slick all day on record, but who's gonna relate to it at the end of the day when they got to go back to this crazy world and feel like they don't love themselves enough to stay humble and not commit suicide?" This statement emphasized his commitment to making music that helps listeners navigate life's complexities.
He spoke about questioning his purpose in music, asking himself: "What are you gonna be about? What are you saying? With the pedestal you're on, the place you're in, are you gonna change the opportunity you have to talk to people, or are you gonna take it for granted and take the easy way out?"
The hosts discussed the 2014 Grammy Awards, where Macklemore's "The Heist" won Best Rap Album over Lamar's widely praised "good kid, m.A.A.d city." They referenced Macklemore's private text to Lamar acknowledging that Lamar deserved the award, which Macklemore later posted publicly.
Lamar called this public sharing "unconventional," stating: "I think for confirmation from the world, he probably felt like he had to put it out there, which he didn't need to do." However, he maintained a diplomatic stance, acknowledging Macklemore as a "good dude" with positive intentions. Despite not winning the Grammy, Lamar's performance with Imagine Dragons became one of the ceremony's most memorable moments, which he attributed to extensive preparation.
The interview also addressed a planned but unreleased collaboration with Lady Gaga for "Bitch, Don't Kill My Vibe." Lamar clarified the project simply never materialized because they ran out of time.
Regarding his controversial verse on Big Sean's "Control" track where he named numerous contemporaries and claimed the "King of New York" title, Lamar downplayed its divisive reception. He explained: "I think it was bigger of a deal than when I wrote the rhyme... this record is not a diss record."
He elaborated that he felt hip-hop "hasn't been competitive in so long" that people took his lines as disrespectful when they weren't intended that way. Lamar noted that the names mentioned emerged organically during his writing process: "When I freehand write verses like that, it's really not me thinking about it for a day or two or even hour, it's right then and there."
Throughout the interview, Lamar displayed strong loyalty to Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE) and fellow label artists. He expressed particular pride in Schoolboy Q's success with "Oxymoron," recalling their humble beginnings: "I thought I seen Q sleeping on the couch... we ate together with a few dollars in our pockets just doing our thing."
The conversation touched on Lamar's 2013 Summer Jam performance, where he unexpectedly gave stage time to rapper Papoose. Lamar explained this as a gesture of goodwill: "That's what we about over here, that's TDE." This anecdote illustrated his approach to community-building within hip-hop.
Lamar and the hosts also discussed the possibility of his participation in Hot 97's Summer Jam 2015, with Lamar indicating that his next album would be released before then.
Kendrick revealed his minimal social media presence stemmed from being "terrible with technology." He explained: "If you know me, my partners would tell you I can't hold my phone. I'm gonna lose it. I can't grab out apps and all this technology stuff."
Regarding lifestyle choices, Lamar mentioned he doesn't smoke marijuana but occasionally drinks wine, preferring "just wine." He briefly shared future personal aspirations, including wanting "like ten kids" someday. When asked about his growing dreadlocks, he simply attributed it to being "in the studio" with "no time to look cute."
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Kendrick Lamar Interview After "i" Single
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