Exclusively, Kendrick Lamar salutes Nipsey Hussle

While everyone from The Game to Barack Obama continue to mourn his loss and celebrate his life and legacy, Kendrick Lamar penned a heartfelt tribute to his West Coast brother.

In his note, which was transcribed by complex, K-Dot recalled traveling across the country with Nipsey on The Game’s “LAX Tour” in 2009 and watching Nipsey perform and admiring him for his “charisma and way with words,” but also his “integrity as a person.”

“I watched a young, ambitious black male orchestrate fellowship amongst the men around him on that tour,” wrote Kendrick. “Determined to execute one thing — and that was Greatness. Greatness in knowledge, greatness in wealth, and greatness in self.”

Kendrick’s letter appeared in the funeral service program that was given out during Thursday’s “Celebration of Life” memorial at Staples Center, along with tributes from JAY-Z, J. Cole, YG, LeBron James, Swizz Beatz, Snoop Dogg, The Game, DJ Khaled, and more.

Read K-Dot’s dedication to Nipsey the Great below.

In 2009, I remember trekking cities alongside Nipsey and family. Both performing as opening acts on The Game LAX Tour. Our sprinter van trailed their mobile home from state to state.

Though I was a there as support for my brother Jay Rock, Nipsey greeted me as one of his own. And that was very commendable. Casually I would go out to the crowd and listen to the substance he spewed on stage. Thinking to myself, this is the type of talent I want to be apart of. His charisma and way with words was powerful. But his integrity as a person, made me even more enthused.

I watched a young, ambitious black male orchestrate fellowship amongst the men around him on that tour. Determined to execute one thing — and that was Greatness. Greatness in knowledge, greatness in wealth, and greatness in self. My curiosity about who he really was started to grow from that moment in time. Was he a product if Crenshaw and Slauson? Was he a radical? Or was he a thinker? That mystique kept me engaged throughout his life career. The years progressed, and my admiration grew from up close and from afar. Watching his interviews, his philosophies, and his work amongst the black community.

Time surely revealed itself. I realized Nipsey was all of those perspectives. But most importantly, he was a vessel from God. As my heart aches for him and his family. I understand that the Most High doesn’t make mistakes. I pray that Ermias Foundation continues to blossom. I pray for those who trespass against it.

A true King will be tested in adversity. To stand in fearlessness in what he believes will impact on earth, as well as in heaven. So thank you Nipsey The Radical. Nipsey The Husband. Nipsey The Friend. Nipsey The Great. And from now on, Nipsey The Messenger…… Shalom.

Source - via rap-up.com

EXCLUSIVE UPDATE: Kendrick Lamar, Lady Gaga And Bradley Cooper Make A Splash With 2019 Grammy Nominations

The 2019 Grammys are getting a heavy dose of cinematic inspiration.

On Friday, the nominees for the 61st Grammy Awards were announced.

Coming out ahead is Kendrick Lamar with a total of seven nominations, including Album of the Year for the Black Panther soundtrack, as well as Record of the Year for the album’s song “All the Stars” by Lamar and SZA.

But Black Panther wasn’t the only soundtrack to get in on the love. Though not the full soundtrack was eligible, the song “Shallow” by Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper from “A Star is Born” received an impressive four nominations, including Record of the Year and Song of the Year.

Other big nominees include Toronto’s own Drake, who earned seven nominations, including Record of the Year for “God’s Plan”, as well as Boi-1Da and Brandi Carlile, who each got six nominations.

Mike Bozzi, Cardi B, Childish Gambino, H.E.R., Maren Morris and Sounwave are all nominated for five awards, while Chloe x Halle, Luke Combs, Greta van Fleet, H.E.R., Dua Lipa, Margo Price, Bebe Rexha and Jorja Smith will vie for the title of Best New Artist.

The 61st Grammy Awards will air live from the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Sunday, Feb. 10, at 8 p.m. ET/5:30 p.m. PT.

See the list of major nominees below:

Album of the Year
Invasion Of Privacy, Cardi B
By the Way, I Forgive You, Brandi CarlileScorpion, Drake
H.E.R., H.E.R.
Beerbongs & Bentleys, Post Malone
Dirty Computer, Janelle Monae
Golden Hour, Kacey Musgraves
Black Panther: The Album, Music From and Inspired By, (Various Artists)

Record of the Year
“I Like It,” Cardi B
“The Joke,” Brandi Carlile
“This Is America,” Childish Gambino
“God’s Plan,” Drake
“Shallow,” Lady Gaga & Bradley Cooper
“All the Stars,” Kendrick Lamar & SZA
“Rockstar,” Post Malone Featuring 21 Savage
“The Middle,” Zedd, Maren Morris & Grey

Song of the Year
“All the Stars”
Kendrick Duckworth, Solana Rowe, Al Shuckburgh, Mark Spears & Anthony Tiffith, songwriters
(Kendrick Lamar & SZA)

“Boo’d Up”
Larrance Dopson, Joelle James, Ella Mai & Dijon McFarlane, songwriters
(Ella Mai)

“God’s Plan”
Aubrey Graham, Daveon Jackson, Brock Korsan, Ron LaTour, Matthew Samuels & Noah Shebib, songwriters
(Drake)

“In My Blood”
Teddy Geiger, Scott Harris, Shawn Mendes & Geoffrey Warburton, songwriters
(Shawn Mendes)

“The Joke”
Brandi Carlile, Dave Cobb, Phil Hanseroth & Tim Hanseroth, songwriters
(Brandi Carlile)

“The Middle”
Sarah Aarons, Jordan K. Johnson, Stefan Johnson, Marcus Lomax, Kyle Trewartha, Michael Trewartha & Anton Zaslavski, songwriters
(Zedd, Maren Morris & Grey)

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