Kendrick Lamar credits Barack Obama for doing so much for hip-hop

 

Barack Obama and Kendrick Lamar

Last Friday, when Kendrick Lamar performed at Brooklyn’s Music Hall for a secret pop-up show in conjunction with American Express, he surprised some of his fans as he brought them onstage to rap with him.
Before the show, Kendrick was asked about his thoughts on what Barack Obama has done for hip-hop.



Kendrick could not hide his admiration for the outgoing president as he said: 
‘I think the world, not just hip-hop owes him. We all have to give him his credit due for even allowing us into the building. We would probably never get inside that house ever again. Think about it like that. Rick Ross, Cole, Nicki Minaj, he really went for us to come experience it.
‘This is something our grandparents always wanted to see, never thought in a million years, but [we can] pass it down to our generation to say, ‘Alright, I’m in here and I’m finna use my power to let y’all see how this thing works and I’mma drop some knowledge on y’all that a man can’t drop on everybody else ’cause y’all have the most influence.’

This photo chronicles Kendrick’s trip to the White House in 2015, where he met and sat down briefly with President Barack Obama

He also revealed that although Obama is a prominent figure, when you meet with him and he embraces you, there is such an instant connection that makes you feel like an actual friend.
Certainly, the hip-hop world will miss Obama when he leaves.