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Michael Buckner / Contributor through Getty Pictures and Matt Winkelmeyer / Contributor through Getty Pictures
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Kendrick Lamar and Punch
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Regardless of “Not Like Us” being considered one of 2024’s greatest data, Kendrick Lamar stunned followers by leaving it off his sixth studio album, GNX. Nonetheless, because of Terrence “Punch” Henderson, we lastly have some perception into why. On Monday (Feb. 3) night time, the Prime Dawg Leisure president virtually summed it up in a single phrase: “integrity.”
Whereas celebrating Prime Dawg Leisure’s historic night time — with Doechii turning into the third girl to win Greatest Rap Album and SZA taking house Greatest R&B Track — Punch took a while to reply questions from followers. One particular person requested, “Do you’ve some training for us as to why Dot did not embody the mega smash on the album?”
Punch responded, “Integrity. That report was for the battle. The album was a separate factor. May have put it on there to spice up total gross sales however select to depart it for what it was.”
Had “Not Like Us” been included on GNX, it will have solely added to the LP’s huge success. In spite of everything, the venture debuted atop the Billboard 200 chart with 319,000 album-equivalent models. As for the diss observe itself, it surpassed 1 billion streams on Spotify in January, preceded by two nonconsecutive weeks on the prime of the Scorching 100 the earlier yr.
On Sunday (Feb. 2) night time, “Not Like Us” took house 5 Grammy Awards: Greatest Music Video, Greatest Rap Track, Greatest Rap Efficiency, Document of the Yr and Track of the Yr. Including to the full-circle second, Lamar gave a shout-out to Punch whereas accepting the last-mentioned honor.
“To the younger artists, like my man Punch says, I simply hope you respect the artwork type. That’s all,” the Compton native advised the gang. “Respect the artwork type [and it will] get you the place you might want to go. Alright, salute, I recognize y’all. I really like y’all.”
As for the upcoming Sunday (Feb. 9), Lamar will headline the Tremendous Bowl LIX Halftime Present at New Orleans’ Caesars Superdome. Afterward, he and SZA will start their a lot awaited “Grand Nationwide Tour” in April.