Anthony just trying to stay a part of the conversation when GNX came out he gave a very basic review he didn't do like the professor on there and gave an in-depth review in the history and a real look it's a GNX because the truth is I think that FD singer is jealous of Kendrick Lamar and he always tries to down play Kendrick Lamar's cultural impact and try to paint him as though his fans view him as some type of like hyper radical political figure when that is the furthest thing from the truth call glaze so hard that these particular points can't get through
@@TheBlackCoyoteGaming what FD has said is, "Kendrick's politics are not beyond critique, [and I have some things to say about it that imma get into in a minute here, one day, if I ever finish the script, so probably next year but don't hold me to it]"
That was the whole reason Kendrick made like that. He literally heard Cole mention his name as if Drake and him were on par with Kendrick and it pissed him off 😂😂😂
Open Mike Eagle, fantano and fd signifier all in one place, plus other people I’m fans of but just less familiar, talking for 4 hours? This appears to be amazing thank you for hosting this panel
This was my favorite discussion yet!! SO much to unpack from Hip Hop this year and couldn't have had a better group of people to do it with. Best year for Hip Hop media ever.
I don't believe Drake divided his targets because he overlooked Kendrick, I think he did that because he didn't have much material to go at him with. The "20 v 1" narrative was his attempt to make himself the underdog, and that many people not being in favor of him was a good means to pad out the songs. He already alluded to "getting back" at these people later, but when he only had 2 minutes worth of material, he fell back at the shotgun approach as an excuse.
This is absolutely true, from family matters to the heart part 6. Put yourself in the rapper brain and look at the lyrics he’d penning. Its very obvious he has not much ammo to shoot at kendrick
Full circle video for me because I absolutely love and watch every creator who’s usually on these videos but Open Mike Eagle is actually married to the community college professor who taught my first classes on sociology and race and radicalized me and set my life on a different trajectory.
The fact a 3 and a half hour video already has over 55k views in less than 3 days says a lot about how people want more content like this. Keep it coming!
This was a fantastic conversation, I loved how everyone got a chance to talk it was very balanced. The points also gave me alot to think about. And thanks for the thoughtful conversation about female rappers and misogyny in hip hop, we need more of that with women's voices at the table. Also Curtiss talking about "yeah he's talented at reciting raps" took me out lmaoooo 😂😂😂😂
2:57:00 We need to talk about this more. Drake is aligning with manosphere streamers who have no interest in hip-hop if it doesn't involve Drake. They're interested in crypto, gambling, lifestyle, and capitalistic money-grabs that don't concern love of the music. EDIT: We really need more videos discussing Drake leaning into redpill universe.
Big facts. And the fact he has an E-sports joint venture with Scooter Braun, who is literally selling the culture overseas, further solidifies this point. Esp since he disses Taylor Swift (formerly managed by Scooter, who sold her catalog without informing her), every time he disses Kendrick.
I don't find it surprising because he was so "nice guy" coded in his earlier career that the switch to full on Incel is predictable. Those dudes need to have someone to look down on so people telling them it is all women's fault will be a profitable avenue for him.
LL Cool J, Eminem, Eastsidaz, and Redman dropped amazing albums, have been waiting for years. Can't forget about Pete and Common, Snoop, Kendrick, Benny and Spesh. Very good albums too, great year.
"Mr. Morale" is one of my favorite Kendrick songs of all time. It's indeed a panic attack before the coming down again on "Mother I Sober", cleansing himself of the trauma which is the cause of him shivering on "Mr. Morale". The placement between "Auntie Diaries" and "Mother I Sober" is intentional aswell
Thsnk you, Open Mike! The misogyny is one reason I have never bought into Drake. It is also something we need to reckon with in 2025 not just in hip hop but in society.
It’s funny hearing Rob Markman talk about Direct to Consumer around 2:19:00 when Curtiss King has been about that for a long while. Granted, I only heard of Curtiss King for his two instrumentals (Tree of Life and Long Term 2) he did for Ab-Soul, but once I got reintroduced to him on Twitter, I’m like damn, this guy is on an amazing journey to stand on his own as a producer, rapper, teacher, and speaker. He made his own lane and thrives because he found a formula that should be one that other creatives can go to when the traditional industry career path is obsolete or working against them.
Hardest working folks in the business! Hate that I missed the livestream! Salute to CULTURE UNITED, and happy New Year! Nine second applause for @The Company Man!
I love how youve all managed to make time for this discussion because to have it with the depth and nuance that the artists deserve is immaculate production. Its all happening!!!
Another great live. We definitely want more. I would like to see Dead End Hip-Hop, FTR, Shawn Cee, and someone like Pablo the Don (they will bring the heat and great insight too)
1:04:20 Calling Drake the superior writer is laughable when a large portion of his discography consists of songs he deeboed from smaller artists. Open Mike Eagle seems intelligent, but I can’t take his musical opinions on Kendrick seriously after that.
The one thing im not sure that theyve mentioned is that Drake's music is the prototype for the AI /Algorithmic artist. Fed hits and writing of whatever trend was popping, aligned with whatever tides a wave.
The bias underground hip-hop purists have against Kendrick is wild. While it might not apply to Mike specifically, much of it stems from envy over Kendrick's rise from the underground to mainstream success. Mike, perhaps unconsciously, seems to be caring water for that rhetoric.
Imo, Kendrick was and is a massive breath of fresh air to hip hop, lyrical, musical, inventive, brave, honest. He is as good as the history books will show.
I'm a huge fan of Kendrick and I think that level of lyricism is what got me to stick around. Its easy to be hooked by the silly voices and great flows. But have little lyrics stick in my head at times and chewing on them. That's what keeps me coming back to Kendrick and rap in general
Yo, lately I've been seeing so many nasty rants and petty back-and-forths in these UA-cam streets, so I have to say how refreshing it is to have this "Culture United" series to turn to. It's a beautiful thing to see a collective of elders and near-elders having an intelligent, nuanced discussion on the politics, economics, and future of hip-hop culture. S/O to Mr. Hunte for holding it down for all the people who love this culture and want to see it reflected in its best light!
This episode was such a treat! Glad that you were all capable of gathering at this hectic time of the year to give one final assessment on the trip that was 2024. On another note, I stumbled on OME's channel before and found the little content I checked out to be refreshingly nuanced and thought-provoking. His points in this live were painfully off the mark, however. I, for one, couldn't believe my ears when he casually said that doesn't know how to feel about Kendrick as an artist because he feels like he brings "unnecessary lyricism" to the mainstream without even elaborating, then insinuating that a rapper of his ilk and most underground rappers for that matter feel unimpressed by his pen since the content he presents to the masses is diluted and dumbed down (an argument that could be made for any mainstream rapper, Cole, drake, lupe, cube, pac, biggie... Yet somehow, Kendrick's the only one getting the burn of it. But I digress.) And finally, down playing Kendrick's audience's intelligence and appreciation for him by framing them as pretentious and ignorant, only hanging on by virtue of "the wierd voices" and his eccentric artistic choices. I know it is his opinion and I'm glad he got to bring another perspective on such a big platform, however, he sometimes comes off as tone-deaf and his arguments, convoluted and unnecessarily bitter, especially when he couldn't even take a jab at Drake for ghostwriters and for pumping out the same predictable and tired flows and melodies for a decade, calling him a better songwriter and overall artist.
To be fair, I just think he has a very rigid view of songwriting/lyricism, like you either have to be billy woods/ka or you have to be Drake, when Kendrick is very deliberately in the middle of that equation
Someone needs to make that "JUSTIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIINNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN" soundbite!!! Great year guys. Y'all brought be back when I thought hip-hop was dead and Nas wasn't the one that killed it. Thank you gentlemen. Can't wait til' 2025. 👍👍
Absolutely phenomenal conversation. Got better as it went on, i especially liked Justin making the connection with drake, the red pill space, and happy dad brand. I think thats why a lot of drake fans tend to be apolitical or skew right even if they dont realize it. Hyper individualism, domination of women, loving money, ect. I also remember seeing the happy dad logo with the whats the dirt guy and on Snoop dogs Death Row merch. Cleary both of them have been compromised by the eay they've been moving. Love the whole conversation and the intersectionality with politics. 2025 is going to be interesting. Its all happening!!!
Every year something monumental in hiphop happens someone always comes out to say “hip hop is dead” or in this case “this is the worst year in hiphop.” Change is a hell of a thing.
I never let Spotify tell me what to listen to. I only listen to my playlists. They offer mixes and daily playlists but it’s my choice to listen to them or not.
I believe you but you understand how that can be a minority position? A lot of these kids and teenagers are going to the most poppin playlist of the genre they like & getting told what to get into by the front page and the songs playing right after listening to the song they actually looked for. The point is not that these platforms literally influence everyone's music tastes, it's that they are not that much different than radio in the sense that they still have a lot of power in what they want you to listen.
This year has been about the defense of our dignified human culture, not just about hip hop or some beef between popular entertainers. 2025 gonna be bigger than that no doubt and Kung Fu Kenny leading the charge. I'm here for it. Let's go!
Nine second applause for when someone said something ridiculous and everyone else tried to hold a straight face! 🤣 I won’t mention names but there were some hilarious moments here! 😂😂😂
True, same thing they did to Eminem, Kendrick and Em got to levels even elite rappers can’t touch so the criticism is “oh he just raps fast” “he can’t make club hits” it’s like if you can’t beat them fairly trash them with bias They are envious of the talent and appreciation a lot people have for them.
I also think to call it worse disregards all the women. I haven’t felt like there has been such a strong show of force of women in forever. For the past decades there has only ever been one allowed on top and those women could be awesome, but it was just the one. And as things changed and maybe there was was room for more than one you had Nicki, who is undeniably talented, but also undeniably misogynistic and nasty to her female competitors. Not only have the songs been bangers, but it’s been such a joy to Glo, Megan, and Cardi all be so different yet so fun and supporting of one another. Okay, I’ll get off my soap box. Kendrick is great, I love Kendrick, but I have always preferred females rappers in general, so this makes me happy.
Yeah that too I think the women were still centered even with the big superstars but Kendrick (in a flawed way) and Tyler were always trying center women in their creative direction.
So we're ignoring all the released tracks that show Drake didn't write a lot of his own stuff. The fact that he stole damn near all of the weekends music to create an album? Kendrick does speak deeply from his own experiences. And it isn't a low bar. I'm older then open mic and I dont understand what he's talking about. Still love his music and podcast though lol!
Good points on music consumption, direct to consumer but I’m shocked no one mentioned the brilliance behind 100 Gigs! Yet spoke on J Cole doing the direct plays after…I think 100 Gigs play was quite interesting music and content wise.
We LIVE for this! Dont stop doing it!💞 Just a note: 1. The same 2 ppl keep dominating all the talk time & we can’t hear from the other guests whn it’s that many ppl at once. 2. Curtiss should be a recurring guest who closes out the show w/ you the chat LOVES ya’ll chemistry & perspectives. 3. Get a FEMALE again. PLZ! 😂
For 50, I think its more "Drake is nice to me and I can make some money off of him, so I am rocking with him." Kendrick isn't mixxy like Drake. And unlike Drake, it seems harder to get those TV dollars that 50 is interested in
@TheArtunism True! also ibheard a rumour that 50 cent wrote certain verses for family matters & he was recentky in andrew shcultz podcast downplaying kendricks work its crazy
Love and appreciate the super intelligent and high level of conversation and dialogue about hip hop and culture yall got going on here. You guys got an avenger level crew assembled here and maybe y’all’s rise in this space is a testament to the question yall posed. Is the main stream trending towards embracing hip hop not only on an entertainment level but also an intellectual one. I’ve been waiting 30 years for this to happen and it looks like it just might be. “It’s all happening” as your moto goes. Loving it.
1:54:46 I liked this so much. One of the most uncomfortable things with this beef was how despite my participation as a woman in the entertainment around the beef, my gender was consistently weaponized in attacking either side. It definitely made me feel terrible.
Same. Also, even though he tried to clarify his comments about Drake being a better writer than Kendrick, I still don’t quite understand what he was trying to say. I might be a bit slow! I was also confused when Justin said he preferred the type of songwriting that took more risks and still managed to have mainstream success like Ludacris and Nas, and put Drake in the same group. Was that a mistake? Did he mean Kendrick?
@ same confusing to say a better song writer. Drake is a good pop writer, but I feel like the field has been so weak for so long on the mainstream and exposed hip hop/RAP.
1:13:10 Was not expecting a deep El-P cut to pop up. Personally that take resonates with me deeply, as someone who can appreciate what Kendrick does, but isn't really a big fan of him at the end of the day. That said, I like what Rob and you guys expand on with the intention of creating a palatable record or body of work, that still withholds a clear exhibition of skill and artistry. My personal taste skews to the less palatable, more 'underground' stuff, but I dig the conversation. 1 second applause for the prisoner with the beauty of 247290-Z. Also 1 second applause for Baltimore Love Thing
as a high-level musician, I wanna give kendrick his flowers for something - the RHYTHM OF HIS FLOWS is something I really only hear matched by Andre. I came to hip hop late in life coming from the classical world, so I'm no authority, but to my better-than-average ears, I don't think anyone else active really has the kind of rhythmic swordsmanship Kendrick has. I'd put Andre and Kendrick as S tier, and A tier is Lupe, Cole, Joey Badass, and y'all are gonna hate this but Chance too. Doechii I'd put A tier with the absolute potential to join the S tier if she continues on this trajectory of musicianship.
I didn't expect this this end in a talk about Hawk Tuah but just wanted to say im glad 2024 was the year you stepped back into things with your channel Justin. This year wouldn't have been the same without your thoughts.
@@leonelmartinez6770he's cold but I just have to say that there are rappers more lyrical and even weirder than him that revere Kendrick (like Earl) so this idea that he doesn't like Kendrick or doesn't think Kendrick is that good of a writer because there are better lyricist out there or there are more adventurous songmakers is odd to say the least. Open Mike Eagle couldn't write DAMN 🤷🏿♂️ I'm sorry, but Kendrick CAN be as lyrical as Open Mike Eagle.
Would love to see younger guys like Shawn Cee and EricTheYoungGawd on here. Closer to the youth culture, and both are well researched and stand on their own unique opinions
Just finished listening to that El -p joint and damn I’m going to be thinking about that song for a while ! Just like that one immortal technique song I forgot the name of thankfully 😅
These have made this year that much better! That drake being a better song writer take made sense 4 him, he said doesn't like Kendrick & we only think he is gr8 bcz the bar too low!😅
Drake is a cautionary tale of an artist who didnt grow & mature with his original fanbase. I was a fan of So Far Gone and he slowly lost me after each project after.
The juxtaposition between Fantano on the treadmill and FD eating dinner is wonderful lol
Next time FD in the gym
😂 I didn’t realize he was in a treadmill
Hilarious lmfaoo
ohhhhh there's a treadmiiillllll I thought my man was just ADHD'd up to the brim
FD's random pop-outs are surely becoming "culture united lore" 😂
Anthony just trying to stay a part of the conversation when GNX came out he gave a very basic review he didn't do like the professor on there and gave an in-depth review in the history and a real look it's a GNX because the truth is I think that FD singer is jealous of Kendrick Lamar and he always tries to down play Kendrick Lamar's cultural impact and try to paint him as though his fans view him as some type of like hyper radical political figure when that is the furthest thing from the truth call glaze so hard that these particular points can't get through
On god🤣🤣
@@TheBlackCoyoteGaming dude
@@TheBlackCoyoteGamingi don’t think you understand fd’s politics or position on kendrick. radical isn’t an insult, it’s a compliment.
@@TheBlackCoyoteGaming what FD has said is, "Kendrick's politics are not beyond critique, [and I have some things to say about it that imma get into in a minute here, one day, if I ever finish the script, so probably next year but don't hold me to it]"
The way FD’s eyes popped out when Justin almost introduced him after that big ahh bite 😂😂
I was laughing when he came in munching and someone said "we got 360p UNC eating on stream lol"
"Sorry for being late and sorry for leaving early" really speaks to my introverted self
I think Kendrick hates the idea that Drake is even mentioned in the same space as him.
“How annoying, does it angers me to know the lames can speak
On the origins of the game I breathe? That's insane to me”- Man at the Garden
Exactly 💯
As he should cos in terms of culture & authentic rap, how dare Aubrey and how dare anyone that supports what he stands for???🤦🏾♀
That was the whole reason Kendrick made like that. He literally heard Cole mention his name as if Drake and him were on par with Kendrick and it pissed him off 😂😂😂
Pretty much.
Open Mike Eagle, fantano and fd signifier all in one place, plus other people I’m fans of but just less familiar, talking for 4 hours? This appears to be amazing thank you for hosting this panel
This was my favorite discussion yet!! SO much to unpack from Hip Hop this year and couldn't have had a better group of people to do it with. Best year for Hip Hop media ever.
pretty sure you manifested that Joey Bada$$ track
1:15:45 Having Open Mike Eagle was truly a blessing. Thank you The Company Man.
I don't believe Drake divided his targets because he overlooked Kendrick, I think he did that because he didn't have much material to go at him with. The "20 v 1" narrative was his attempt to make himself the underdog, and that many people not being in favor of him was a good means to pad out the songs. He already alluded to "getting back" at these people later, but when he only had 2 minutes worth of material, he fell back at the shotgun approach as an excuse.
Also I think he was simply too petty not to try and shoot back at everyone
@@Cdr2002 i would add ego and vanity to that too...I think he felt like he was Thanos and somebody would side with him
I agree 💯
Lol this level of delusion is insanity.
This is absolutely true, from family matters to the heart part 6. Put yourself in the rapper brain and look at the lyrics he’d penning. Its very obvious he has not much ammo to shoot at kendrick
Thank all you guys for such an amazing year! And YES OPEN MIKE EAGLE!!!
OME is the person I was most hoping to see on one of these panels - seeing him on here, I can end the year in peace
Full circle video for me because I absolutely love and watch every creator who’s usually on these videos but Open Mike Eagle is actually married to the community college professor who taught my first classes on sociology and race and radicalized me and set my life on a different trajectory.
The fact a 3 and a half hour video already has over 55k views in less than 3 days says a lot about how people want more content like this. Keep it coming!
This was a fantastic conversation, I loved how everyone got a chance to talk it was very balanced. The points also gave me alot to think about. And thanks for the thoughtful conversation about female rappers and misogyny in hip hop, we need more of that with women's voices at the table.
Also Curtiss talking about "yeah he's talented at reciting raps" took me out lmaoooo 😂😂😂😂
54:25 we out here time stamping “Meet The Grahams” like it’s 9/11. Truly a moment in history.
@@PirateCommando what a time to be alive.. truly
LMAO
2:57:00 We need to talk about this more. Drake is aligning with manosphere streamers who have no interest in hip-hop if it doesn't involve Drake. They're interested in crypto, gambling, lifestyle, and capitalistic money-grabs that don't concern love of the music.
EDIT: We really need more videos discussing Drake leaning into redpill universe.
Absolutely
Yeah feels like he's been courting that incel fanbase for a minute now
seriously!!! like his contract with stake and kick are wild, look into the types of predators that site produces
Big facts. And the fact he has an E-sports joint venture with Scooter Braun, who is literally selling the culture overseas, further solidifies this point. Esp since he disses Taylor Swift (formerly managed by Scooter, who sold her catalog without informing her), every time he disses Kendrick.
I don't find it surprising because he was so "nice guy" coded in his earlier career that the switch to full on Incel is predictable. Those dudes need to have someone to look down on so people telling them it is all women's fault will be a profitable avenue for him.
2024 was IMO one of the better years in Hip Hop in a looong time.
LL Cool J, Eminem, Eastsidaz, and Redman dropped amazing albums, have been waiting for years.
Can't forget about Pete and Common, Snoop, Kendrick, Benny and Spesh. Very good albums too, great year.
When Kendrick Lamar’s cartoons and cereal was mentioned, I had to pause and go listen to it. 💪👏
"Mr. Morale" is one of my favorite Kendrick songs of all time. It's indeed a panic attack before the coming down again on "Mother I Sober", cleansing himself of the trauma which is the cause of him shivering on "Mr. Morale". The placement between "Auntie Diaries" and "Mother I Sober" is intentional aswell
Fat joe reminding me why I don't like fat joe
Dude has been trash since Pun passed. Don Cartegena was the last worth while release. Lean Back was a major hit but other than that..
Thank you so much for these interesting and enlightening conversations. Appreciate you! ☮️
Thsnk you, Open Mike! The misogyny is one reason I have never bought into Drake. It is also something we need to reckon with in 2025 not just in hip hop but in society.
I like that all these guys are at least somewhat a progressive bastion among rap communities
Melon so busy he gotta get the 10k steps in during the call 😅😅😅
It’s funny hearing Rob Markman talk about Direct to Consumer around 2:19:00 when Curtiss King has been about that for a long while. Granted, I only heard of Curtiss King for his two instrumentals (Tree of Life and Long Term 2) he did for Ab-Soul, but once I got reintroduced to him on Twitter, I’m like damn, this guy is on an amazing journey to stand on his own as a producer, rapper, teacher, and speaker. He made his own lane and thrives because he found a formula that should be one that other creatives can go to when the traditional industry career path is obsolete or working against them.
Get DEHH
That would be legendary for the culture
They need to be a part of more hip hop convos.
@ gotta add 5-6 people to a already existing roster lol
@@gotf honeslty I’ve been watching them for more than 10 years and it’s like bruh they should be huge
@@WillieEarlSon definitely! And people stole their ideas like Complex and got bigger off of it.
I really appreciate this podcast. No doubt this is hard to organize but I hope culture united becomes a mainstay. Really helps me get through work.
Justin & curtis at the end of every ep is my favorite side podcast
It’s so dope seeing the pull Justin has in this community. Being able to bring in the people he did for as long as he did speaks VOLUMES
Cartoons and Cereal is one of my favorite songs of all time
It's a brilliant song.
Hardest working folks in the business! Hate that I missed the livestream! Salute to CULTURE UNITED, and happy New Year! Nine second applause for @The Company Man!
I love how youve all managed to make time for this discussion because to have it with the depth and nuance that the artists deserve is immaculate production. Its all happening!!!
Felt that when F.D. was sitting back & munching, big audience character energy for a min haha 😆🍟
Glad to see Mike Eagle get a seat at the table. He's making a terrific transition from artist to commentator
@@stevescotthiphop call it an addition! The music hasn't stopped
This is so dope. Love seeing/hearing Mike Eagle and seeing Melon in the mix rules. It’s all happening with Justin forever
Toxic Hotep😂 that's a t-shirt. 1 second applause!
As consumers we need to take responsibility for what we have done to hip hop. We need to spend our money directly from the artist when available
AVAA I havta say again, I admire the way prof Skye flexes his family
He's a great man
@ from what I’ve seen so far you’re right also his & Justin interactions are so great to watch
Me too! Shout out teen daughter for stepping up to help with her little sister and wanting her dad to show up for this panel
Another great live. We definitely want more. I would like to see Dead End Hip-Hop, FTR, Shawn Cee, and someone like Pablo the Don (they will bring the heat and great insight too)
Amazing panel! Worlds are colliding! Also, 2024 will go down as one of the best years in hip hop
1:04:20 Calling Drake the superior writer is laughable when a large portion of his discography consists of songs he deeboed from smaller artists. Open Mike Eagle seems intelligent, but I can’t take his musical opinions on Kendrick seriously after that.
COMMON AND PETE ROCK PUT OUT A CLASSIC THIS YEAR!!
Man Justin is a legend for getting these going. One of the best podcasts ive ever listened to
You basically got to put the medicine in the candy for it to be digestible.
Very pleasantly surprised to see Open Mike Eagle on this video. Great addition, love that guy.
The one thing im not sure that theyve mentioned is that Drake's music is the prototype for the AI /Algorithmic artist. Fed hits and writing of whatever trend was popping, aligned with whatever tides a wave.
Watching you guys on mini screens reminded me of The Brady Bunch 😂. Shout out to all the gentlemen on the panel
damn what a lineup. we need more of this for sure
I'm glad y'all didn't let OME get away with that writer take
As soon as I heard that I was like “WHAAAAT?” Aubrey a better writer than Kendrick? 🤣🤣🤣 That’s so laughable!
Yea that was a clown comment
Underground hip-hop snobs are some of Kendrick's haters.
@@dereksmith510 this is so on point.
Very glad these panels exist! So refreshing to hear in depth discussion on hip-hop! Looking for to hearing more from y'all in 2025🫡
1:04:20 I have heard too many reference tracks and know half of Take Care was a Weeknd project to agree. My favorite Drake song is a Vory song
Facts.
The bias underground hip-hop purists have against Kendrick is wild. While it might not apply to Mike specifically, much of it stems from envy over Kendrick's rise from the underground to mainstream success. Mike, perhaps unconsciously, seems to be caring water for that rhetoric.
Thanks!
WHAT! Redman put something out? I will check it later 😊
This has become one of my fave things to watch. Shout out to y’all
Imo, Kendrick was and is a massive breath of fresh air to hip hop, lyrical, musical, inventive, brave, honest. He is as good as the history books will show.
I'm so happy seeing all of yall together. Thank you for this convo. Much love to everyone
CULTURE UNITED THE BEST THING ROCKIN
Thank you for adding OME. So excited to hear him with y'all. Oh and I'd say 2022 was a better year than 2024 because OME dropped his best album
Great video! I can’t hit the play button any faster when I see a new episode on the feed. My hope in the future of Hip Hop is intact.
I'm a huge fan of Kendrick and I think that level of lyricism is what got me to stick around. Its easy to be hooked by the silly voices and great flows. But have little lyrics stick in my head at times and chewing on them. That's what keeps me coming back to Kendrick and rap in general
Yo, lately I've been seeing so many nasty rants and petty back-and-forths in these UA-cam streets, so I have to say how refreshing it is to have this "Culture United" series to turn to. It's a beautiful thing to see a collective of elders and near-elders having an intelligent, nuanced discussion on the politics, economics, and future of hip-hop culture. S/O to Mr. Hunte for holding it down for all the people who love this culture and want to see it reflected in its best light!
This episode was such a treat! Glad that you were all capable of gathering at this hectic time of the year to give one final assessment on the trip that was 2024.
On another note, I stumbled on OME's channel before and found the little content I checked out to be refreshingly nuanced and thought-provoking. His points in this live were painfully off the mark, however.
I, for one, couldn't believe my ears when he casually said that doesn't know how to feel about Kendrick as an artist because he feels like he brings "unnecessary lyricism" to the mainstream without even elaborating, then insinuating that a rapper of his ilk and most underground rappers for that matter feel unimpressed by his pen since the content he presents to the masses is diluted and dumbed down (an argument that could be made for any mainstream rapper, Cole, drake, lupe, cube, pac, biggie... Yet somehow, Kendrick's the only one getting the burn of it. But I digress.) And finally, down playing Kendrick's audience's intelligence and appreciation for him by framing them as pretentious and ignorant, only hanging on by virtue of "the wierd voices" and his eccentric artistic choices.
I know it is his opinion and I'm glad he got to bring another perspective on such a big platform, however, he sometimes comes off as tone-deaf and his arguments, convoluted and unnecessarily bitter, especially when he couldn't even take a jab at Drake for ghostwriters and for pumping out the same predictable and tired flows and melodies for a decade, calling him a better songwriter and overall artist.
To be fair, I just think he has a very rigid view of songwriting/lyricism, like you either have to be billy woods/ka or you have to be Drake, when Kendrick is very deliberately in the middle of that equation
Someone needs to make that "JUSTIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIINNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN" soundbite!!! Great year guys. Y'all brought be back when I thought hip-hop was dead and Nas wasn't the one that killed it. Thank you gentlemen. Can't wait til' 2025. 👍👍
Absolutely phenomenal conversation. Got better as it went on, i especially liked Justin making the connection with drake, the red pill space, and happy dad brand. I think thats why a lot of drake fans tend to be apolitical or skew right even if they dont realize it. Hyper individualism, domination of women, loving money, ect. I also remember seeing the happy dad logo with the whats the dirt guy and on Snoop dogs Death Row merch. Cleary both of them have been compromised by the eay they've been moving. Love the whole conversation and the intersectionality with politics. 2025 is going to be interesting. Its all happening!!!
Haha Fantano thought you were talking about him at the beginning
Usher moment
Ok, I wasn't the only one that noticed that
Real ✅
Every year something monumental in hiphop happens someone always comes out to say “hip hop is dead” or in this case “this is the worst year in hiphop.” Change is a hell of a thing.
So much knowledge and insight being kicked on this episode; best one yet 👍🏽
Open Mike did release a project this year with Previous Industries
Great commentary! Thanks for an awesome 2024 and looking forward to hearing from all of you in 2025! 🎉
I never let Spotify tell me what to listen to. I only listen to my playlists. They offer mixes and daily playlists but it’s my choice to listen to them or not.
Sure but that still is an algorithm influencing you. Even if you choose to engage or not
@@TheArtunismHow do you figure that? If I don’t listen to them then how are they influencing me?
I believe you but you understand how that can be a minority position? A lot of these kids and teenagers are going to the most poppin playlist of the genre they like & getting told what to get into by the front page and the songs playing right after listening to the song they actually looked for. The point is not that these platforms literally influence everyone's music tastes, it's that they are not that much different than radio in the sense that they still have a lot of power in what they want you to listen.
Exactly why I dont have spotify
@@ptyten9718 Oh for sure. I was only speaking about myself.
This year has been about the defense of our dignified human culture, not just about hip hop or some beef between popular entertainers. 2025 gonna be bigger than that no doubt and Kung Fu Kenny leading the charge. I'm here for it. Let's go!
Nine second applause for when someone said something ridiculous and everyone else tried to hold a straight face! 🤣 I won’t mention names but there were some hilarious moments here! 😂😂😂
Why does everyone gloss over Drake’s ghostwriters and how violent ignorant and disgusting in the ways Drake disregards Black culture
Also I looovvvee Justin and what he’s doing. I noticed alot of these ppl who consider themselves elite rappers are jealous of Kendrick
True, same thing they did to Eminem, Kendrick and Em got to levels even elite rappers can’t touch so the criticism is “oh he just raps fast” “he can’t make club hits” it’s like if you can’t beat them fairly trash them with bias
They are envious of the talent and appreciation a lot people have for them.
I also think to call it worse disregards all the women. I haven’t felt like there has been such a strong show of force of women in forever. For the past decades there has only ever been one allowed on top and those women could be awesome, but it was just the one. And as things changed and maybe there was was room for more than one you had Nicki, who is undeniably talented, but also undeniably misogynistic and nasty to her female competitors. Not only have the songs been bangers, but it’s been such a joy to Glo, Megan, and Cardi all be so different yet so fun and supporting of one another.
Okay, I’ll get off my soap box. Kendrick is great, I love Kendrick, but I have always preferred females rappers in general, so this makes me happy.
Yeah that too I think the women were still centered even with the big superstars but Kendrick (in a flawed way) and Tyler were always trying center women in their creative direction.
Do you like Little Simz?
@BlackNella u didn't ask me but I love Little Simz!
@@aje-olokunsChile thank you!!! I think she is brilliant and I’m not sure why she’s never in these conversations
@BlackNella right?? This is how I felt about doechii, and now she is finally getting her flowers. I think sims will soon as well, she's too amazing!
I had no idea “Burried Alive” even existed. At this point, I’m just looking at Drake like
So we're ignoring all the released tracks that show Drake didn't write a lot of his own stuff. The fact that he stole damn near all of the weekends music to create an album?
Kendrick does speak deeply from his own experiences. And it isn't a low bar. I'm older then open mic and I dont understand what he's talking about.
Still love his music and podcast though lol!
Thank yall for these I found new channels from here but ngl I can watch a whole 6hour podcast with just cutiss king and Justin
Good points on music consumption, direct to consumer but I’m shocked no one mentioned the brilliance behind 100 Gigs! Yet spoke on J Cole doing the direct plays after…I think 100 Gigs play was quite interesting music and content wise.
Hate that I had to miss the live. This is a good one. ✌️&❤️
We LIVE for this! Dont stop doing it!💞 Just a note:
1. The same 2 ppl keep dominating all the talk time & we can’t hear from the other guests whn it’s that many ppl at once.
2. Curtiss should be a recurring guest who closes out the show w/ you the chat LOVES ya’ll chemistry & perspectives.
3. Get a FEMALE again. PLZ! 😂
Lupe, Fat Joe, 50 cent all hate kendrick bcoz of jeaslousy 🤷
For 50, I think its more "Drake is nice to me and I can make some money off of him, so I am rocking with him." Kendrick isn't mixxy like Drake. And unlike Drake, it seems harder to get those TV dollars that 50 is interested in
@TheArtunism True! also ibheard a rumour that 50 cent wrote certain verses for family matters & he was recentky in andrew shcultz podcast downplaying kendricks work its crazy
Love and appreciate the super intelligent and high level of conversation and dialogue about hip hop and culture yall got going on here. You guys got an avenger level crew assembled here and maybe y’all’s rise in this space is a testament to the question yall posed. Is the main stream trending towards embracing hip hop not only on an entertainment level but also an intellectual one. I’ve been waiting 30 years for this to happen and it looks like it just might be. “It’s all happening” as your moto goes. Loving it.
1:54:46 I liked this so much. One of the most uncomfortable things with this beef was how despite my participation as a woman in the entertainment around the beef, my gender was consistently weaponized in attacking either side. It definitely made me feel terrible.
Awesome stream to close out the year! 💪🏾
This is a fantastic year to be an artist who truly loves music
I want to hear what Mike listens to that he feels does a better job than Kendrick.
Same. Also, even though he tried to clarify his comments about Drake being a better writer than Kendrick, I still don’t quite understand what he was trying to say. I might be a bit slow! I was also confused when Justin said he preferred the type of songwriting that took more risks and still managed to have mainstream success like Ludacris and Nas, and put Drake in the same group. Was that a mistake? Did he mean Kendrick?
@ same confusing to say a better song writer. Drake is a good pop writer, but I feel like the field has been so weak for so long on the mainstream and exposed hip hop/RAP.
1:13:10
Was not expecting a deep El-P cut to pop up. Personally that take resonates with me deeply, as someone who can appreciate what Kendrick does, but isn't really a big fan of him at the end of the day. That said, I like what Rob and you guys expand on with the intention of creating a palatable record or body of work, that still withholds a clear exhibition of skill and artistry. My personal taste skews to the less palatable, more 'underground' stuff, but I dig the conversation.
1 second applause for the prisoner with the beauty of 247290-Z. Also 1 second applause for Baltimore Love Thing
This was dope and appreciated 💯
as a high-level musician, I wanna give kendrick his flowers for something - the RHYTHM OF HIS FLOWS is something I really only hear matched by Andre. I came to hip hop late in life coming from the classical world, so I'm no authority, but to my better-than-average ears, I don't think anyone else active really has the kind of rhythmic swordsmanship Kendrick has. I'd put Andre and Kendrick as S tier, and A tier is Lupe, Cole, Joey Badass, and y'all are gonna hate this but Chance too. Doechii I'd put A tier with the absolute potential to join the S tier if she continues on this trajectory of musicianship.
1:26:54 Kendrick Lamar-Mr. Morale, that’s the song he’s thinking of. The beat and flow also reminds me of Kanye West-Black Skinhead a little bit.
I didn't expect this this end in a talk about Hawk Tuah but just wanted to say im glad 2024 was the year you stepped back into things with your channel Justin. This year wouldn't have been the same without your thoughts.
Saying drake is a better song writer than kendrick is crazy
Lol, who said that? 😂😂 I'll probably find out who said it eventually.
@@yugfusthe Open Mike Eagle dude with the burgundy beanie. He was tripping. Plus, his reasoning for that argument was weak.
@@ademola34adeniran77 he walked it back at the end of the slow. 😂
I didn't know dude before this but I gathered he's a lyrical miracle rapper. It seems like those kind of rappers are mostly jealous of Kendrick
@@leonelmartinez6770he's cold but I just have to say that there are rappers more lyrical and even weirder than him that revere Kendrick (like Earl) so this idea that he doesn't like Kendrick or doesn't think Kendrick is that good of a writer because there are better lyricist out there or there are more adventurous songmakers is odd to say the least. Open Mike Eagle couldn't write DAMN 🤷🏿♂️ I'm sorry, but Kendrick CAN be as lyrical as Open Mike Eagle.
It was over at Euphoria to me 46:06
Would love to see younger guys like Shawn Cee and EricTheYoungGawd on here. Closer to the youth culture, and both are well researched and stand on their own unique opinions
Just finished listening to that El -p joint and damn I’m going to be thinking about that song for a while ! Just like that one immortal technique song I forgot the name of thankfully 😅
Dance with the devil had a chokehold on me when I was in middle school 😂😂
These Lives need to be posted as podcasts. Too good to leave under the live tab...I don't think many people look there.
Hip Hop is Black American Culture, and Black American Culture is Hip Hop.
These have made this year that much better! That drake being a better song writer take made sense 4 him, he said doesn't like Kendrick & we only think he is gr8 bcz the bar too low!😅
Drake is a cautionary tale of an artist who didnt grow & mature with his original fanbase. I was a fan of So Far Gone and he slowly lost me after each project after.
Great conversation. Thanks everyone in the panel.
I'm so glad you started doing these! They're always such great discussions