Fat Joe Crowns Kendrick Lamar: The Undisputed King of LA Radio, Surpassing Legends Like 2Pac and Snoop Dogg
Is Kendrick Lamar the new ruler of Los Angeles' airwaves? According to Fat Joe, the answer is a resounding yes. The Bronx rapper recently ignited a debate by declaring that no West Coast artist, not even the iconic Snoop Dogg or the legendary Tupac Shakur, has ever dominated Los Angeles radio quite like Kendrick Lamar has in recent times.
During the premiere episode of his new podcast, Joe & Jada, with Jadakiss, Fat Joe shared his observations from a recent trip to LA. "I was there last week. I’ve never seen nothing like this," he exclaimed. "Every single song, ‘Turn the TV off…’ Kendrick Lamar gets played nine out of every 10 songs in L.A. right now." This bold statement sparked a conversation and quickly became a headline, fueling discussions about Kendrick's impact on the West Coast and beyond.
Fat Joe elaborated, "If you’re from L.A., you probably think there’s only one guy on Earth, Kendrick Lamar. I’m just keeping it a buck with you." Jadakiss agreed, acknowledging that Kendrick had "a helluva year."
Kendrick Lamar's recent success isn't just anecdotal; it's reflected in the charts. His collaboration with SZA, "Luther," has dominated the Billboard Hot 100, tying with Diddy and Faith Evans' "I'll Be Missing You" for the most weeks at No. 1 among duets by co-billed lead solo men and women. Over the past year, Lamar has scored four number one singles, including "Like That" with Future and Metro Boomin (a track that is currently facing a lawsuit), "Not Like Us," and the aforementioned "Luther." Tracks like "Euphoria" and "TV Off" have also achieved significant commercial success.
Beyond radio play and chart dominance, Kendrick Lamar has also been shattering records. His Grand National Tour, co-headlined by SZA, grossed a staggering $11.822 million in a single night at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, making it the highest-grossing concert by a Black male as headlining or co-headlining artist in history. This feat surpassed The Weeknd's previous record and marked the opening night as the highest-grossing rap concert ever, surpassing Eminem's 2019 record.
Fat Joe's comments highlight a crucial aspect of Kendrick Lamar's career: his ability to connect with audiences and dominate the cultural conversation. Whether through his music or his live performances, Kendrick continues to break boundaries and redefine what it means to be a leading voice in hip-hop.
What do you think? Is Fat Joe right? Has Kendrick truly surpassed the legends of West Coast hip-hop in terms of current dominance? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
