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THE KENDRICK PACKAGE
"SOMETIMES YOU GOTTA POP OUT AND SHOW NI*GA'S"
HIP HOP
Written By: Jewels Alexandria
(4 Minute Read)
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Juneteenth 2024 will go down in Hip Hop history as one of the biggest televised celebrations the world has ever seen. What Kendrick did for the world to see exhibits exactly why he received the Pulitzer Prize. The only one to receive one has a hip hop artist, by the way. Juneteenth is not just about the origins, it’s about the continuation of black excellence. What we as a people have overcome. A culture like no other. It can be celebrated in multiple ways and sometimes the right kingpin who moves with good intentions is all it takes. For those of you who missed The Pop Out: Ken & Friends and would like a quick recap of the special event check this out.
DJ Hed is a Los Angeles DJ who currently is the official DJ of the BET Hip Hop Awards Cypher. He opens the show announcing some of LA’s biggest local acts. Some of whom have already made some waves in the rap community nationally. This live viewing felt as if we were watching some of our very own local acts right in the comfort of our homes. I don’t think anyone on this level of fame has ever done something this major for their community or black American’s in general. At least, in a long time. Kendrick created a space for our underground kings and queens to shine on a platform as big as Amazon. Some of the acts included, Meet the Whoops, Wallie the Sensei, Bino Rideaux and G Perico.
American producer and DJ, Mustard aka Not Like Us mastermind, brings out our heavy hitters. Blaxst, Tyler the Creater, Steve Lacy and this list goes on. Even a few celebrities were in the building. "LeBron keep the family away.” Seems he took him up on that advice seeing he was front and center laughing and dancing to the tunes. Each artist sang one to two songs a piece and gave each person the equal amount of time on the stage allowing the magic to flow. The energy could be felt through the television, no matter where you reside.
Then there is the final act. Kendrick Lamar. The first three songs felt geared towards the Canadian rapper, Drake. Euphoria to open, DNA followed by Element. “If I gotta slap a pu**y ass ni*ga imma make it look sexy.” Euphoria is probably one of the sexiest disc tracks I have ever heard. He brought out his day ones, Jay Rock, Ab Soul and School Boy Q. Giving them all the chance to shine as bright has him. Songs like M.A.A.D City and Like That felt like the crowd was the feature and sent chills through Kendrick fans around the globe. All in all Kendrick performed eighteen songs, twenty three if you count Not Like Us being performed 5x. Taunting his counterpart Drizzy. A good laugh was had. It is safe to say, Kendrick Lamar has won the rap beef with a well-rounded ending.
Aside from the beef, Kendrick expressed the amount of hard work and unity it took to bring the different sets together. Crips, blood and piru’s. “This is unity at its finest. This shi*t making me proud… this gets me emotional, dog,” he expressed while each set posed for a picture, together.” If Pirus and Crips all got along they'd probably gun me down by the end of this song.” We’ll they didn’t. You brought them together, King. Similar to The Watts Truce of 1992 and others unknown. You are appreciated and celebrated. Thank you so much for keeping the culture alive and promoting unity!
June 20, 2024