The emergence of Kendrick Lamar this week as the top hip-hop artist on Apple Music’s 2024 year-end list has prompted a heated debate about the artist on social media.
Some of the discussion isn’t exactly new, however, with some views seemingly still entrenched in this year’s Drake and Kendrick feud that has divided hip-hop fans.
However, as one might expect, Lamar’s biggest fans seemed to be defending the Apple Music award, while others debated whether the K-Dot choice was the right one or not. .
The discussion was revived on Tuesday (November 19). As Apple Music continues to share “this year’s lineup of genre-defining artists,” they shared a post showing Lamar as the face of Apple Music’s Rap Life channel. Apple adds, pointing to several playlists, “Swipe through the 2024 top playlists of Rap Life, Alpha, Superbloom and La Oficial playlists.”
While Apple Music’s post doesn’t actually call Lamar “Rapper of the Year,” the message is still clear, especially since Apple notes that Lamar’s diss track “Not Like Us” has “dominated the literature.” “ization” by 2024 in a way that few others can. (In order, it lists the top Rap Life songs of 2024 as “Not Like Us,” followed by Future, Metro Boomin and Lamar’s “Like That,” then Gunna’s “One of Wun.” and Key Glock’s “Let’s Go” remix.)
Responding on Apple Music’s Rapper of the Year for 2024.”
As one might imagine, the debate about Kendrick raged soon after. Various responses to NFR’s podcast post included statements like “i find it crazy that you can be awarded ‘rapper of the year’ without missing a single project” – as well as, regarding Drake, “Bigger than that 69 God. They think it’s all about the stream. Quality over quantity.”
Many others seemed confused by this choice. “The most magnificent artist I have ever seen,” another said of Lamar. They added: “All of this just for ‘Not Like Us’ to call another man a pedophile without evidence. “This industrial glaze is very different from this small glass.”
And that’s not all. “You already know A certain side of twitter is that Finna is angry about this,” one person summarized.
As illustrated above, some commentators seem to think that Kendrick unfairly received the award despite releasing no new full-length albums this year, only a handful of related singles including hot song “Not Like Us”.
Does Apple Music make sense in its naming? @kendricklamar ‘Rapper of the Year’ doesn’t have a full project in 2024?
– Music Discussion (@mdiscussing) November 19, 2024
“Apple Music is reasonable in its naming [Kendrick Lamar] ‘Rapper of the Year’ without a full project by 2024?” another asked. See more responses from X below.
I’m sure the comments will be good and everyone will agree with this choice
– RileyTaugor 🏴 (@RileyTaugor) November 19, 2024
Lyrical, thought-provoking subject matter and innovative sound, Kendrick continues to set the standard for excellence in hip-hop
– Jakey (@jakeytwit) November 19, 2024
Kawhi Leonard of rap music. Load management all year. Do one thing and then people eat it all. It’s crazy and unsolicited.
– SLAM CENTRAL STATION (@SlamCentralNYY) November 19, 2024
This is really disrespectful to those who quit music this year. I’m shocked to see people and brands admire and support Kendrick so diligently
– fuzzy 🦋 (@Hoodimatt) November 19, 2024
Kendrick Lamar and Beyoncé, puppets of the industry, appear on the cover of Apple Music. ‘Rapper of the year’ and ‘Alpha of the year’ – are just titles for selling his soul. Jay-Z pulls the rope and they dance. The illusion of power, the reality of control. pic.twitter.com/U3jXy31WMN
— Mr. Break It (sublimated pics) (@NEEZY63) November 19, 2024
Future made hip-hop history by dropping 3 No. 1 albums in 2024, dominating the Apple Music charts – and Kendrick Lamar has NOT dropped a single album… Yet, Kendrick Lamar is the “Rapper of the Year ” by Apple Music🤔
October 1, 2021: Number one on the Billboard 200 album chart is… pic.twitter.com/8mL582rvjA
– HarrietEve9 (@HarrietEve9) November 19, 2024
Tags Kendrick Lamar, Apple Music, Music