Essentially IMO that version of him is more digestible to casual/normal rap fan as opposed to now niggas being like Kendrick don't have many "slaps" which is kinda true
Kendrick and Cole kind of the only rappers at their level to not have a certain amount of foundational anthems/hits
"Kendrick don't have hits" in 2026
DAMN and GNX got multiple songs bigger than most dudes careers
More people like that nerd voice stuff I think. Not for me but it's definitely popular.
You sir took the words out my mouth these thoughts were stirring in my head , Kendrick sold out for the chance to be #1 lol how pathetic getting buncha pop features to appeal to mainstream crowd
The white guilt s*** just compound interest
Kendrick was already mainstream before TPAB and none of the features on this album are out of his reach. Nor even pop wtf? lol nigga got Bilal and Rapsody on there. All of the subject matter on this album isn’t much different from the things he touched on GLMC or section 80.
The truth is white publications/media and critics championed him and this album and niggas been mad ever since, the success of the next one made em even more upset lol
Think in terms of Kanye having CD LR Grad before 808s MBDTF Yeezus whereas (although S80 his real debut) it goes from GKMC to TPAB to DAMN to MMBS
If we pretend GKMC is his debut, as it kind of might as well be, he went straight into the artsy statement albums without the foundational more digestible albums like Ye’s first three
Not saying its bad just saying i wouldnt have minded more albums with typical beats and themes we’d expect from Kendrick/TDE/Black Hippy type s*** and then go super artsy, and those would be where more of his “anthems” are
Every Kendrick project going back to KLEP was an “artsy statement” project to a degree. Kirk someone else said ITT that was his appeal he wa able to thread the needle with both “artsy” s*** and then wit “slaps” or bangers or whatever.
"Kendrick don't have hits" in 2026
DAMN and GNX got multiple songs bigger than most dudes careers
Please don't make me do this
Kendrick obviously has big records
But he doesn't have anywhere as many foundational hits that are getting played in hella different settings as Kanye Drake Wayne maybe even Jay
Alright
BDKMV
Money Trees
HUMBLE/DNA?
Maybe ADHD and Rigamortus
These Walls and Kunta are fire but I don't put them in this tier
Luther
Squabble
Not Like
What else? What are you putting against Can't Tell Me Nothing or A Milli or 99 Problems?
HeyHeyHeyheyHeyHeyHey
That’s my b****.
HeyHeyHeyheyHeyHeyHey
That’s my b****.
HeyHeyHeyhey
With all that fake s***.
HeyHeyHeyhey
Ain’t the one to play with.
Buns
Please don't make me do this
Kendrick obviously has big records
But he doesn't have anywhere as many foundational hits that are getting played in hella different settings as Kanye Drake Wayne maybe even Jay
Alright
BDKMV
Money Trees
HUMBLE/DNA?
Maybe ADHD and Rigamortus
These Walls and Kunta are fire but I don't put them in this tier
Luther
Squabble
Not Like
What else? What are you putting against Can't Tell Me Nothing or A Milli or 99 Problems?
Whats your definition of a hit? Lil Wayne has 36 songs that hit top 20. Kendrick has 35.
He doesn't put out as much music as Drake or Wayne or Kanye but this aint 2016, the guy has as many radio smashes as anyone now.
Please don't make me do this
Kendrick obviously has big records
But he doesn't have anywhere as many foundational hits that are getting played in hella different settings as Kanye Drake Wayne maybe even Jay
Alright
BDKMV
Money Trees
HUMBLE/DNA?
Maybe ADHD and Rigamortus
These Walls and Kunta are fire but I don't put them in this tier
Luther
Squabble
Not Like
What else? What are you putting against Can't Tell Me Nothing or A Milli or 99 Problems?
i don’t think anyone was arguing he has as many as ye or drake. he definitely washing wayne tho if we not talking features. and if we adding features kendrick has even more s*** lol
Bad Blood Remix - Taylor’s version out now!