Rakim Thanks Kendrick Lamar For “Illest Shout” In Years

Rakim is showing love after Kendrick Lamar name-dropped him on Clipse’s new track “Chains & Whips,” praising the tribute as one of the most meaningful nods he’s received in years.

The Hip-Hop pioneer took to Instagram on Saturday (July 12) to respond to Kendrick Lamar’s verse on the Clipse song from their album Let God Sort Em Out.

Lamar raps, “Let’s be clear, Hip-Hop died again / Half of my profits may go to Rakim.” The bar was widely interpreted as a salute to Rakim’s legacy and influence on the genre.

Rakim didn’t hold back his appreciation, writing, “I salute yu KING !!! Thnx for the illest shout I heard in a loooong time.

He added, “Keep up the incredible work, my brother, you ain’t no joke !!!! Peace and blessings to yu and yours.”

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The God MC has long been vocal about his respect for Kendrick Lamar. Back in 2015, he said that K. Dot was “that new fuel, and it’s a conscious new fuel where he’s not just doing what’s hot for today. He has substance and he ain’t scared to make a statement either.”

Last year, Rakim also weighed in on the high-profile lyrical showdown between Kendrick Lamar and Drake, calling the clash “important” and “very needed for the genre.”

He said it helped clarify the difference between “real” and “mainstream” Hip-Hop, a line that he believes had become increasingly blurred.

“It put a lot of things in perspective,” Rakim explained.

While he gave props to both artists for stepping into the ring, Rakim’s comments leaned in favor of Kendrick as the torchbearer for Hip-Hop’s core values, while Drake represented the commercial side of the music.