SOHH.com covers topics and products we think speak to you. Things you buy through our links may earn us a commission.
Rap star Kendrick Lamar might be cooking up some secret audio fire. Top Dawg Entertainment president Punch has teased social media by hinting that Kenny is grinding on music and it might be coming sooner than we think.
King Kendrick
Punch left an Instagram comment saying that Kendrick would be coming back soon. He hasn’t released an album in over three years, with his last solo project being the April 2017 DAMN.
SOHH TIP: Catch up on all of Kendrick‘s classic tunes with new headphones — Tribit’s QuietPlus were named the “Best Wireless Noise Canceling Headphones Under $100 (CNET)” and include their exclusive hybrid noise cancellation technology. Get 15% off through May 31 with code QP15. Check out the full line-up.
“Stay patient king Kendrick will return soon.” – Punch
High-Key Details
U2 lead singer Bono recently shared a playlist of “60 Songs That Saved My Life.” Kendrick was on there twice, with his “XXX” collab with the band themselves and Beyoncé collab “Freedom.” To accompany the playlist, Bono penned letters to the artists behind the important tracks.
Kendrick,
I liked your crew when we did the opening of The GRAMMYs. They were shit hot and organised. It was a ballet, it was an opera, it was fusion between hip hop and rock ’n’ roll but it was not confusion.
The fun we had on AMERICAN SOUL was singing “You are rock and roll” to you…. because you are. And a whole lot more.
There’s a righteous anger that is hard to argue with. Oh yeah, there’s a righteous punch that could take down a much bigger man, oh yeah.
For a moment, any of us can be that fist. We don’t own it, it owns us. But I wouldn’t want to get in the way of it.
The fact that you’re playful, self-deprecating, as well as revelatory is a note to self. I asked you at the time if you’d rap about where America was at, and your reply was to rap about where America isn’t at. Smart.
I hope one day to get to know you better.
I hope when these years stop running away… maybe they’ll run toward us.
Love and pizza,
Bono
Dear Beyoncé, Kendrick,
I mean this is going for broke. This is going for the break out.
Every prison that ever held a soul is going to feel the ground shake and the bars rattle here. Freedom is at the heart of why we make music, freedom from a toxic situation, from an oppressive nation, freedom from addiction or any self taught affliction, freedom from our own DNA. Spiritual and sexual liberation… that’s why we’re all here.
There is nowhere this song is not going to go. That freedom’s torch here is carried by you two standard bearers… I give thanks.
And the last line spoken by Hattie White
“I was served lemons but I made lemonade.”
Well in my 60 years, I was served many platters but rarely one like the Queen Bey’s album LEMONADE.
Your fan,
Bono
Wait, There’s More
Several weeks ago, people went online to weigh-in on New York rapper French Montana thinking he could go head-to-head with Kendrick in a hits battle. Despite his popularity, the Internet ripped French.
“French ? > French Montana French ? > French Montana French ? > French Montana French ? > French Montana French ? > French Montana @frenchmontana we get it u have a new vid out ???” -Hip Hop Memes Daily’s Instagram
Before You Go
The same week, Montana let the world know he had no real issues with Kendrick. However, French did explain believing he had just as many hits as K. Dot.
“I love kendrick! that’s not just for kendrick that’s to anybody they put in front of me, and ask me that same question ? what u want me to say lol ? It should be your attitude too. If u think any less of yourself don’t blame it on the next person who don’t ! ? set it up” -French Montana’s Twitter
“IF WE JUST TALKING ABOUT ANTHEMS, !! ME VS KENDRICK HIT FOR HIT ! I BELIEVE I CAN GO NECK TO NECK !! I BEEN MAKING HITS FOR A LONG TIME ! IT AINT MY FAULT I BELIEVE IN MYSELF. HOW WAS I SUPPOSED TO ANSWER THAT QUESTION ? HOW MANY TIMES I GOTTA PROVE MYSELF BEFORE I GET MINE ?”
SOHH TIP: Get your headphone game ready — Tribit’s QuietPlus were named the “Best Wireless Noise Canceling Headphones Under $100 (CNET)” and include their exclusive hybrid noise cancellation technology. Get 15% off through May 31 with code QP15. Check out the full line-up.