Kanye West on Kendrick Lamar: “He’s Very Good, But I Don’t Like His Music”

American rap mogul Kanye West, known for his unfiltered opinions and high-profile feuds, has stirred the pot once again with his recent comments about fellow rap icon Kendrick Lamar. Despite recognizing Lamar’s undeniable talent, Ye bluntly stated that he doesn’t enjoy his music.

The outspoken rapper made the remarks on his X (formerly Twitter) account, where he also took issue with Lamar’s feature on Playboi Carti’s new album, “I Am Music.” This statement quickly ignited heated discussions within the hip-hop community, drawing mixed reactions from fans and fellow artists.

Kanye West: “I Didn’t Need to Hear Him on Carti’s Album”

Kanye, never one to hold back his opinions, expressed disappointment with Lamar’s contribution to Playboi Carti’s project. In a tweet that rapidly went viral, he stated:

“I don’t like Kendrick Lamar’s music. He raps very good but I didn’t need to hear him on Carti’s album.”

The comment immediately sent social media into a frenzy, with fans split between those who supported Kanye’s perspective and those who rushed to defend Kendrick Lamar’s artistry. Some accused Kanye of deliberately stirring controversy, while others saw it as a genuine critique of modern rap collaborations.

Hip-Hop Fans React: Division in the Rap Community

Unsurprisingly, Kanye’s remarks set off a chain reaction, with thousands of fans weighing in. Many defended Kendrick Lamar, calling him one of the most lyrically gifted rappers of this generation, while others supported Kanye’s right to have personal musical preferences.

🔹 “Kanye has no business talking about Kendrick when he hasn’t dropped a solid rap album in years.” – @HipHopCritic2025

🔹 “Ye always speaks his mind, but he stays hating on the new school.” – @MusicGuru_Official

🔹 “It’s okay to not like someone’s music, but why say it like that? This is pure shade.” – @TheRapOracle

Despite the controversy, some fans pointed out that Kanye did not discredit Kendrick’s skills, acknowledging that he is a good rapper but just not someone he enjoys listening to.

Kanye West’s History of Clashing with Other Rappers

Kanye West has a long track record of clashing with fellow rap superstars. This latest statement about Kendrick Lamar follows his previous criticism of J. Cole, another lyrical heavyweight.

In 2024, J. Cole issued a public apology to Kendrick Lamar at the Dreamville Festival for his diss track, calling it “the lamest sht”* he had ever done. Kanye strongly disagreed with Cole’s decision, insisting that he shouldn’t have backed down from the rap battle.

From his infamous feud with Drake, his on-again, off-again alliance with Jay-Z, and his history of calling out peers like Big Sean and Kid Cudi, Kanye has proven time and again that he has no problem speaking his mind—even if it means stepping on a few toes.

Is There a Brewing Kanye vs Kendrick Feud?

While Kendrick Lamar has not yet responded to Kanye’s comments, it remains to be seen whether he will address them directly or through his music. Historically, Kendrick has been known to respond subtly through his lyrics, and fans are already speculating that a subliminal shot could appear in his next project.

Given the recent tensions in hip-hop, especially with the resurgence of rap beefs between top-tier artists, some believe that Kanye’s comments could be the start of a bigger feud—or at the very least, a new topic of conversation within the industry.

What This Means for Hip-Hop Culture

Hip-hop has always thrived on healthy competition, artistic clashes, and personal opinions. While some view Kanye’s statement as unnecessary, others argue that it is simply part of the rap game. Debates about artistry, collaborations, and personal taste are what keep hip-hop dynamic.

The question remains: Will Kendrick Lamar respond? Or will he let Ye’s comments slide? Only time will tell.

What do you think? Was Kanye out of line, or is he just being honest?