Kanye West Unleashes More ‘Hate’ On Kendrick Lamar Over This One Moment

Kanye West has reignited his ongoing commentary regarding Kendrick Lamar, specifically targeting Lamar’s performance at a 2023 Louis Vuitton menswear show during Paris Fashion Week. West’s criticism surfaced in response to an Instagram video showcasing Lamar performing “Count Me Out” at the event. In a blunt and concise statement, West expressed his disapproval, writing, “I hated this so much.” This remark indicates a strong negative reaction to the performance, adding another chapter to the dynamic, and at times contentious, relationship between the two prominent figures in hip-hop.

Kanye West’s recent critiques of Kendrick Lamar appear to stem from a perceived slight, as West has expressed frustration over Lamar’s collaboration with Playboi Carti on his new album, “Music,” while West himself was not involved. This has fueled West’s “venom” towards the Compton native, despite their prior history of collaborations and touring. This situation highlights a complex dynamic between the two artists, where past collaborations are overshadowed by West’s current feelings of exclusion.

Rubbishing his three appearances across the songs “Good Credit,” “Back00r” and “Mojoi Jojo,” Kanye wrote on X following the album’s release: “I DONT LIKE KENDRICK LAMARS MUSIC. HE RAPS VERY GOOD BUT I DIDNT NEED TO HEAR HIM ON CARTI ALBUM.”

He later made similar comments about Lamar’s hit Drake diss song “Not Like Us,” writing: “I HAAAAAATED NOT LIKE US.”

Kanye West has escalated his criticisms of Kendrick Lamar, going so far as to publicly challenge the Compton rapper to a rap battle and diminish his standing in the hip-hop hierarchy. West asserted that Lamar’s influence is limited to the West Coast, stating, “KENDRICK WAS NEVER KING. MAYBE KING OF THE WEST COAST, BUT NEVER KING OF THE WORLD.”

Further solidifying his stance, West unveiled a list of 12 “Rap Kings,” which notably excluded Kendrick Lamar. The list featured prominent figures such as JAY-Z, Eminem, Nas, Biggie, 2Pac, Lil Wayne, Drake, 50 Cent, and himself. This omission underscores West’s attempt to downplay Lamar’s contributions to the genre.

However, amidst his criticisms, West did offer a rare moment of praise, acknowledging Lamar’s recent Super Bowl halftime show performance. He even went so far as to declare it his favorite since Michael Jackson’s iconic 1993 performance, indicating a complex and contradictory relationship between the two artists.

“A few people have been asking me what I think about the Kendrick halftime show. I really loved the show. It was my favorite halftime show since the Michael Jackson era, which I can barely remember, I just be seeing clips of it,” he said in a video posted online.

“It was super simple. The flag was fresh, the way they did ‘HUMBLE.’ with the people’s heads were moving. I was shook. I was like, ‘This is super fresh.’ The man’s voice control, all that.”