Lecrae has picked up the baton from Kendrick Lamar, delivering a surprise verse that was clearly inspired by his inclusion in K. Dot’s latest social-media exclusive song.
Late Saturday night (September 14), the Gospel rapper took to Instagram to share a new single-verse track that included a couple of callbacks to Kendrick’s surprise release earlier this week, which fans have titled “Watch the Party Die.”
In contrast with the beat up black Air Force 1s Kendrick chose as his de facto cover art, Lecrae delivered his new release alongside a photo of a pair of slightly worn white AF1s. He also kicked off the verse with a direct reference to the “Kendrick mention” and later quoted Dot’s question, “I wonder what Lecrae would do?”
“I was wrestling like, ‘Should I write a verse?,’” he raps. “The culture got enough clout chasin’ vultures out here, tryna prove they worth/They need attention/They can’t imagine me not tryna make myself look bigger off of this Kendrick mention.”
Throughout the 2:32 song, Lecrae shares a number of details about his life, including a mention of a Xanax addiction; his family’s ties to gang culture; and his less-than-Christian desire to seek revenge against “the dealer who gave [his] cousin Fentanyl.”
As of this writing, the post had garnered over 940,000 views and 58,000 likes.
Kendrick Lamar took fans by surprise on Wednesday (September 11) by dropping an untitled track on Instagram without notice following the fervent chatter surrounding his upcoming Super Bowl halftime show.
The five-minute effort finds Kendrick serving up some pointed social commentary as he laments the state of the rap game and wider music industry (if not modern culture as a whole).
From those who “parade in gluttony without givin’ truth to the youth” and “glorify scamming” to “street n-ggas, corporate guys and rappers” who “report the lies” and “the radio personality pushin’ propaganda for salary,” multiple targets face the wrath of King Kendrick’s silver tongue.
Towards the end of the track, Kendrick namedrops Lecrae and Dee-1, two rappers who are also known for thoughtful rap music that shines a spotlight on the ills of society and attempts to light a path for listeners to make better choices.
“Sometimes I wonder what Lecrae would do / Fuck these n-ggas up or show ’em just what prayer do?” he spits, referencing the veteran Christian MC.
He continues: “I want to be empathetic, my heart like Dee-1 / But I would—,” omitting what sounds like a threat against his enemies.
