If you've managed not hear the news, Kendrick Lamar's new album To Pimp A Butterfly was released a week early. One of the songs on the effort, "Hood Politics," shows Lamar taking on hip-hop's critics while giving a shout out to Run The Jewels rapper Killer Mike, who K. Dot feels doesn't get the respect he deserves despite delivering the exceptional raps critics keep asking for.
"Critics mant to mention that they miss when hip hop was rappin'/Motherf**ker if you did, then Killer Mike'd be platinum," he raps.
Killer Mike took notice of the shout out on Twitter, and responded by thanking the Compton rapper.
"Sincere thanks," he wrote. "Salutes @kendricklamar. #RTJ."
He also took to Instagram to thank his fellow rapper once more and give a shout out to The Breakfast Club's Charlamagne tha God.
"#Preach (young Dolph voice) lol," he captioned the post. "Preshate the Salutes from fellow EmCee Kendrick Lamar on his record 'Hood Politics.' Lemme also state @cthagod been telling folks this for years. LoL love and respect."
We'd love to see a Killer Mike/K. Dot collab, and this compliment could be just the thing to trigger it.
Lamar officially announced the release of his album on March 6, revealing that it would drop March 23. A few days later, he unveiled the album cover and album title. The effort was preceded by the singles "i" and "The Blacker The Berry" with the song "King Kuta" leaking this past Friday.
To Pimp A Butterfly follows Lamar's critically acclaimed good kid m.A.A.d. city. It features appearances from Snoop Dogg, George Clinton, Ronald Isley, Rapsody, Thundercat, James Fauntleroy, Bilal, and Anna Wise. It is now available to stream on Spotify. However, it appears as though it has been taken off iTunes for purchase and is now only available to pre-order.
Do you agree with Kendrick that Killer Mike deserves more credit as a rapper than he is given? Sound off in the comments section below!
