Royce Da 5'9" Talks J. Cole & Kendrick Lamar Criticism, They Should Be "Flattered"

BYErika Marie15.9K Views
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Royce Da 5'9"
Royce Da 5'9" spoke openly about J. Cole and Kendrick Lamar being criticized for not saying or doing enough during these recent Black Lives Matter protests.

There has been much conversation about J. Cole and Kendrick Lamar, specifically about their involvement in the Black Lives Matter movement. Noname wrote back in May that she was surprised so many rappers were silent, especially considering they have "whole discographies be about black plight." Cole penned 'Snow on Tha Bluff" as a response while also speaking about his failures, causing quite the internet flair-up. Kendrick Lamar has also come up in a separate conversation because TDE insinuated that the rapper hasn't made a triumphant return because "n*ggas don't appreciate it."

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Royce Da 5'9" recently weighed in on the controversies during a chat with HipHopDX and said that people who invest all of themselves into their art or skill or talent are often removed from social constructs. “Lil Wayne as much as I love Lil Wayne, his comments and then his attempt to clean up the comments it just shows his detachment from what’s going on” Royce said. “We can’t really come down on our brothers for that. We can’t come down on Floyd Mayweather for not having the slightest idea of how to get involved with anything, or the slightest idea with how to express sympathy, empathy, love, or anything without just writing a check about it. There’s a deeper problem there. That’s what happens when you give your entire life to your craft."

The rapper added that there are K-Dot fans just waiting on his next move and looking to him and only him for all of their answers. “Dave Chappelle is that guy for me," Royce Da 5'9" said. "I always look to hear from him, but it doesn’t mean I’m challenging him. The flip side to that is, there are people who challenge Dave Chappelle just because they want to challenge somebody. Then you got other people who are challenging J. Cole and Kendrick to shift some of the focus off of them because they ain’t doing sh*t. So I think there’s places where it’s valid and there’s places where it’s just bullsh*t. It’s just like trolling."

Royce said that both Kendrick Lamar and J. Cole should feel "flattered that people look to them" because it speaks volumes about how impactful their catalogs are to the culture. "I think Kendrick coming out a couple days later and popping out at a Compton rally... I don’t know if that was something that was already planned or if he just did that to tell people to kind of shut the f*ck up. I don't like the fact—if he was made to feel like that, I’m not cool with that.” Watch Royce Da 5'9" share his thoughts below.


About The Author
Erika Marie is a seasoned journalist, editor, and ghostwriter who works predominantly in the fields of music, spirituality, mental health advocacy, and social activism. The Los Angeles editor, storyteller, and activist has been involved in the behind-the-scenes workings of the entertainment industry for nearly two decades. E.M. attempts to write stories that are compelling while remaining informative and respectful. She's an advocate of lyrical witticism & the power of the pen. Favorites: Motown, New Jack Swing, '90s R&B, Hip Hop, Indie Rock, & Punk; Funk, Soul, Harlem Renaissance Jazz greats, and artists who innovate, not simply replicate.
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