Nas Praises Kendrick Lamar for Keeping the “Essence” of Hip Hop Alive.

Nas recently made headlines for praising Kendrick Lamar after the surprise release of his album GNX. The legendary Queensbridge rapper took to Instagram to express his admiration, posting an image of the album cover and writing, “Always inspired by my brother KL. Keeping the essence of this shit alive and at the forefront. Salute King!” His words were not just a casual compliment but seemed like a direct response to Kendrick sampling Nas’ iconic track “One Mic” on GNX‘s “Man at the Garden,” as well as Kendrick’s shoutout to Nas in the opening track “wacced out murals.”

Nas’s Support Amidst Controversy with Lil Wayne

Despite the uproar from Lil Wayne’s supporters, Nas was one of the few prominent figures to publicly congratulate Kendrick. In response to Kendrick’s Super Bowl performance announcement, Nas shared it on his Instagram stories with the message, “Congratulations to my brotha, @kendricklamar. Can’t wait to watch the party die!!!!” This public endorsement further fueled the divide between the two artists’ fan bases.

Lil Wayne Responds to Kendrick’s Criticism

The tension between Kendrick and Lil Wayne reached new heights after Wayne was snubbed for the Super Bowl gig. In a somber Instagram video, Wayne expressed his hurt and disappointment, admitting he felt “broken” over not being chosen for the performance.

Wayne, who has long been seen as a king of the rap game, especially in New Orleans, also responded to Kendrick’s lyrics on “wacced out murals” in a cryptic message on social media:“Man wtf I do?! I just be chillin & dey still kome 4 my head. Let’s not take kindness for weakness. Let this giant sleep. I beg u all. No one really wants destruction, not even me but I shall destroy if disturbed. On me. Love.”

A Growing Rift in Hip Hop?

The growing tension between Kendrick Lamar, Nas, and Lil Wayne has sparked intense debate in the Hip Hop community. While Nas continues to show love and support for Kendrick, Wayne’s frustration is palpable, especially after being passed over for the Super Bowl slot in his hometown. As Kendrick keeps pushing the envelope with his music and bold statements, it’s clear that the rift between these legends is far from over—and fans are watching it unfold with bated breath. Will it lead to more public feuds, or will these Hip Hop giants find a way to put their differences aside? Only time will tell.