Kendrick Lamar Praises Macklemore’s Apologetic Grammy Text
Drake may have been angered by Macklemore’s post-Grammy apology to Kendrick Lamar, but, speaking publicly about the incident for the first time, the Top Dawg star himself was less than distraught.
“That text surprised me, but Macklemore is a genuine dude,” Lamar said in a recent Billboard cover story. “However it panned out, I wish him much success. He touched people’s souls, and no one can take that away. Really, the whole Grammy moment was incredible. Not everyone gets that shot.”
Last month, Macklemore posted a text he sent to Lamar on Instagram, hours after beating the rapper for Best Rap Album and Best Rap Song. “You got robbed,” wrote Macklemore. “I wanted you to win. You should have. It’s weird and it sucks that I robbed you. I was gonna say that during the speech. Then the music started playing during my speech and I froze. Anyway you know what it is. Congrats on this year and your music.”
Talking to Rolling Stone earlier this month, Drake had a slightly different take on the situation. “I was like, ‘You won. Why are you posting your text message? Just chill. Take your W, and if you feel you didn’t deserve it, go get better — make better music,'” he said. “It felt cheap. It didn’t feel genuine. Why do that? Why feel guilt? You think those guys would pay homage to you if they won?”
With the Grammys now in the past, Lamar can look forward to a productive 2014. As Billboard reports, Lamar’s label Top Dawg Entertainment is planning a slew of releases, including albums from Jay Rock, Ab-Soul, rising rapper Isaiah Rashad and female singer-songwriter SZA. While Dave Free, TDE co-president, also said a Black Hippy album — the supergroup comprised of Lamar, Schoolboy Q, Jay Rock and Ab-Soul — was “likely” in 2014, TDE co-founder Anthony Tiffith said the label is planning to release Lamar’s new album this September.