(ThyBlackMan.com) King Kendrick Lamar, but Kung Fu Kenny is what they call him. Of course, Kendrick Lamar reigns supreme as the new age’s savior of rap and the old age’s reincarnation of Nasty Nas. I was listening to some of Nas this morning and his classic album Illmatic got constant spin. 23 years after the release and some of his lyrics and metaphors still rung out to me. I thought to myself, “Wow, this is how we felt when Kendrick Lamar dropped Good Kid, M.A.A.D City in 2012.”
Since 2012, though, Kendrick has further cemented his place into the heart of nearly every music critic, hip hop fan and music hipster. The release of his critically acclaimed album To Pimp a Butterfly established him as the voice of the Black Lives Matter 
movement.There, people had the rapper in which they could count on to be reliable; he was safe, an incredibly dope rapper, and didn’t rely on antics to sell records. Kendrick Lamar, unintentionally, became an everyman, for everybody.
Now, with the release of his latest album DAMN, Kendrick Lamar has become the biggest male artist in pop music. Yes, Drake still is the more popular artist, but Lamar, equipped with critical acclaim and pop success, has a combination that Drake has yet to yield; the critics and the fans in unison. Lamar’s DAMN, in my personal opinion, is his most enjoyable record since GKMC. Frankly, do I think it’s a classic? No. But I definitely think it’s a stronger listen than TPAB.
Hopefully, I won’t get any “well you just don’t understand TPAB” comments in the comment section. But then again, who am I kidding? Anywho, DAMN has tracks that i thoroughly enjoy. “HUMBLE” possibly is the song of the year. “Element” has the songwriting craft that made Drake a superstar and Loyalty with Rihanna is a crossover track waiting to happen. “DNA” is constantly being played on NBA Playoff commercials, as it rightfully should. Lamar strategically reached out to accomplished producer Mike Will Made it for “DNA” and “HUMBLE”, two of his most diversive records of the year.
So with Kendrick Lamar selling 600k copies in the first week, besting Drake’s “Playlist” by nearly 100k, Lamar has cemented his spot as the top male artist, while also being the best selling artist, too. Granted, Drake released his album nearly 48 hours after Kendrick Lamar and live streamed his, but he doesn’t have much to gain, he’s sold his fair share of records and had his run. Now, it’s possibly Lamar’s turn.
King Kendrick Lamar, but Kung Fu Kenny is what they now call him. He’s the new male artist king. Now, granted Drake may have an album or two left in him to still be considered the elite male artist of today, but only time will tell. What we do know? It’s Kendrick’s world for the taking. And until further notice it will remain his.
Music Editor; Brad Washington
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