One of the most popular debates about hip-hop is fans pitting Kendrick Lamar against Drake. What’s created here is two very niche, incredibly talented artists with enormously different styles and a fan base, making for heated arguments over who could be considered the better MC. Well, in a recent sit-down interview with Say Cheese!, Charleston White—never one to shy away from a controversial opinion or two—offered up his thoughts on the matter.
Charleston White says Kendrick Lamar only brought LA gangs together for a video shoot, and that Drake is still better:
“Drake way better rapping I know Drake songs… I ain’t never heard a n*gga in Texas pull up bumping Kendrick….”
PIC.TWITTER.COM/K1PIPEIMHY— Daily Loud (@DailyLoud) JUNE 27, 2024
Charleston White said he wasn’t feeling Kendrick Lamar‘s new video. He thought it lacked realness and substance. According to White, Kendrick’s LA gang imagery seemed superficial and was more like it was for the visual effect rather than actually to mean anything meaningful. “It seemed like Kendrick just brought the gangs together for the video, not for any real cause,” White commented in frustration.
Kendrick Lamar has always been known for his powerful lyrics and storytelling, but White feels the “Gang Signs” video missed the mark. Something seemed amiss about using such an opportune moment to explore the problems relating to gang culture and its effects on communities.
White, in the interview, gave his opinion about Kendrick Lamar’s latest project. He specifically illuminated Lamar’s recent “Pop Out” concert series, where several up-and-coming Los Angeles artists appeared. According to White, local artists don’t turn him on at all.
“Ain’t nobody finna listen to no bunch of up-and-coming L.A. artists but L.A. people in their neighborhood. Don’t nobody want to hear that s**t,” stated he straightforwardly.
In marked contrast, Charleston White sang nothing but accolades for Drake. Blazing-bee For the latter, Drake could make videos that would engage and sit well with their viewers. For him, Drake’s visuals convey emotions and messages; hence, by all means, he is an artist.
”Drake knows how to engage his audience,” White said. “His videos are impactful; they make you feel something. That’s what art is about.” White pointed out that Drake had the consistent capacity to create authentic and engaging materials., in which he tells people Kendrick’s tracks are never played. “I ain’t never heard a na in Texas pull up bumping Kendrick’s s**t, nothing!” he said.
This harsh criticism didn’t stop there. White went on to mock Kendrick’s association with gang culture, insinuating that it alienates sensible listeners. “Unless you like twisting your fingers up like them r***rded people, that’s the only way you gon’ like Kendrick,” he mocked. Disdain for the gang imagery in Kendrick’s video was palpable, as he feels it only appeals to an infinitesimally small audience.
Although he used some harsh words on Kendrick, White strictly praised Drake. White skyrocketed Drake’s versatility and mass appeal. “I know Drake songs,” White said, insinuating there was an ease of access with Drake that did not exist with Kendrick.
White’s comments set off a considerable debate among hip-hop fans and critics. Some subscribed to his assessment that, of late, Kendrick lacks the substance he is known for. Others reacted in defense of Lamar, mentioning his record of creating deep and socially conscious music.
This conversation epitomizes the more excellent discourse within the hip-hop community: questions of authenticity, artistic expression, and commercial success are forever being bandied about. Fans will forever be split on what comprises a great artist: is it his lyrical prowess, ability to connect with his audience or the messages he conveys through his art?
Kendrick Lamar and Drake have a well-documented history of rivalry. Their lyrical exchanges and subtle blows at each other have sparked endless discussion and debate. Tracks like Kendrick’s “Not Like Us” aimed loose shots in Drake’s direction, peeling back the curtain a little on this competitive spirit between these two.
Yet both continue to push their art forms to the limits. Kendrick recently threw an unforgettable concert in Inglewood; he united LA hip-hop stars and gangs. This appeared to be an act against Drake’s spiraling beef struggle, as this thing in music goes hard and is very strong when it comes to/engineering across themes of unity and division.
Charleston White’s lousy review of Kendrick Lamar, juxtaposed with his excellent review of Drake, elucidates the complex nature of artistic expression in hip-hop. It shows a high demand for authenticity, proving that connecting correctly with an audience can work wonders. There will always be a wide array of opinions, but this debate established the vibrancy and dynamism of the genre more vividly.
