Kendrick Lamar drops a surprise track on Instagram, causing a stir in the rap community.
- In the song, Lamar addresses societal and industry issues head-on.
- He name-checks Lecrae and Dee-1, praising their impactful music.
- Both Lecrae and Dee-1 respond enthusiastically on social media.
- Their reactions reveal a deep mutual respect and long-standing friendships.
Kendrick Lamar caught everyone off guard by releasing a surprise track on Instagram. Titled “Watch the Party Die,” the song dives into intense social commentary, addressing problems within the rap industry and beyond.
The track runs for five minutes, where Kendrick critiques various societal elements. He calls out those who “parade in gluttony without givin’ truth to the youth” and “glorify scamming,” leaving no stone unturned.
Towards the song’s end, Kendrick name-drops Lecrae and Dee-1, two rappers also known for their thoughtful, socially aware music. “Sometimes I wonder what Lecrae would do / F*** these n****s up or show ’em just what prayer do?” Kendrick raps, nodding to the Christian rapper.
Lamar continues, “I want to be empathetic, my heart like Dee-1 / But I would—,” leaving a potential threat hanging in the air.
Lecrae took to X (formerly Twitter) to show his appreciation, writing, “Love you Dot….Always here. 🙏🏾” Dee-1 shared an old photo of himself with Kendrick, captioning it, “I appreciate the shoutout brother. @kendricklamar ❤️ More than you’ll ever know. A shift is happening. The time is now! 🙏🏽”
While the shoutouts may seem random, Kendrick and Lecrae have a long-standing friendship. Kendrick even appeared in Lecrae’s “Church Clothes” music video back in 2012.
Lecrae spoke about their bond in a HipHopDX interview at the 2024 Grammys. He highlighted how Kendrick used to come to him for spiritual advice, considering him a “voice” in his life.
Lecrae fondly recalled a time when Kendrick was working on a project before he blew up. Kendrick asked Lecrae about faith, leading to an ongoing, meaningful conversation.
Lecrae once turned down a music collaboration request from Kendrick. He wanted their relationship to be genuine, not based on mutual benefit, showcasing the depth of their friendship.
These heartfelt reactions underline the genuine friendship and mutual respect between Lecrae, Dee-1, and Kendrick Lamar.
