In the wake of Macklemore & Ryan Lewis‘ multiple Grammy wins on Sunday night, many an artist and critic have weighed in. The explicit focus for most was the fact that the duo, who won four awards, bested favourite Kendrick Lamar in a number of Rap categories. And the puzzling chain of events that saw the Compton MC walk home empty-handed – despite being nominated for seven awards.
Even Macklemore chimed in, posting a text he sent Lamar confessing that “I wanted you to win”.
Noticeably silent, though, was Lamar himself. That is until now.
The ‘good kid, M.A.A.D City’ rapper spoke with XXL about his views on what many are dubbing “the shut-out”, Macklemore’s wins, and the
Kendrick Lamar On Macklemore’s wins / His Losses:
“It’s well deserved; he did what he did, man. He went out there and hustled and grinded. Everything happens for a reason; the universe comes back around, that’s how it go.”
Kendrick Lamar’s Response To Idea That The Grammy’s Undervalue Hip-Hop:
“I definitely feel like they should always have more of the culture up in there, for sure, because we definitely stand out just like any other genre. We part of the world. We part of the movement. So I think any awards, including the Grammys, should always push for more hip-hop because it’s music as a whole, it’s not just splitting different regions. Everything moves as far as sound and vibrations, and that’s how it goes. And we are a part of that.”
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A gracious man, with a clear goal of longevity in what can be a super political industry.
His words on the notion of Hip-Hop being “undervalued” by platforms such as the Grammy’s was both interesting and packed full of validity. For yours truly, there was something very alarming about the fact that all of the “Urban” categories were relegated to the pre-telecast.
Why bracket the Hip-Hop and R&B categories with genres that have far less impact on today’s charts (off air), when the aforementioned still make up a large portion of what is still considered “popular music”?
Like, we really hope the producers create more room for “Urban” categories and talent on future shows because there were at least four performances that were at best bathroom breaks.
Put simply, trim the filler performances and cultivate a show that is more inclusive and more reflective of a culture that continues “inspire” mainstream names such Miley Cyrus, Katy Perry (hello ‘Dark Horse’), and of course Macklemore.