interview-magazine

Kendrick Lamar Reveals Who Kept Him Sane During Studio Sessions

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Earlier this week Kendrick Lamar sat down with breakout Nigerian singer Tems for a conversation in Interview Magazine. Since then, both artist’s fanbases have been pouring through the conversation trying to unpack every single relevant detail. One of the details that got people’s attention was Lamar’s obsession with 50 Cent. “Now, I’ve always studied 50 Cent’s music and watched his interviews,” Kendrick explained. Though fans online noted just how different the two rappers’ styles are others pointed out that Kendrick has long had very versatile taste.

Another detail that fans are pointing out comes from a portion of the interview where the pair discuss who holds them down. “I’m the kind of person that if you leave me in the studio by myself for like two days, I turn into one of those mad scientists in a cartoon,” Tems began. “I’m the same way. I call it the Pinky and the Brain syndrome,” Kendrick responds referencing the beloved cartoon. He went on to explain that you need someone around you to keep you sane during studio sessions. “You need at least one or two people that you really trust to be like, ‘You know what? You’re going crazy.’”

Read More: Kendrick Lamar Albums Done In Eminem’s Style In New Reddit Post

Kendrick Lamar Credits Dave Free And Sounwave For Keeping Him Sane

Kendrick Lamar didn’t have to think very long to remember the people who kept his head straight. “I can relate to that, because my boy, Dave [Free] my partner, actually — he started as one of my managers, but he was a creative also. Along with my producer Sounwave, I kind of lean on him to know if I’m going the right way.” The two collaborators he mentions have been working with Lamar for a while, so it’s no surprise that he trusts them.

Earlier this month, Kendrick Lamar was announced as one of the headliners at Tyler, The Creator’s Camp Flog Gnaw festival later this year. He joins a stacked lineup that includes SZA, Clipse, Earl Sweatshirt, Ice Spice, and many more. What do you think of Kendrick and Tems new interview? Let us know in the comment section below.

Read More: Kendrick Lamar Prepping To Buy A Condo In Brooklyn For $9 Million

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Kendrick Lamar Speaks On 50 Cent Wisdom That Blew Him Away

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In an piece for Interview Magazine, Kendrick Lamar revealed the piece of advice from 50 Cent that has defined his outlook on life for years. “Now, I’ve always studied 50 Cent’s music and watched his interviews, and someone asked if he was a conscious artist,” Kendrick recalled. “He said, ‘Yeah, I’m a conscious artist because I have a conscience.”

He continued. “That shit blew me away. It gave me a different perspective — 50 drops a lot of jewels that give me perspective, but that one right there gave me a sense of, okay, a lot of artists live and know how to project duality. That’s the true gift, because that’s what life is about in its wholeness. When I seen that I said, ‘I can relate to that,’ and what you’re saying is confirmation that that’s still alive. It’s really dope to hear another artist say it. Lets us know we not crazy.”

Read More: Reddit user paints picture of Eminem covers of each Kendrick Lamar album

50 Cent Has Respect For Kendrick

Kendrick Lamar
PARIS, FRANCE – JULY 04: Kendrick Lamar attends the Chanel Haute Couture Fall/Winter 2023/2024 show as part of Paris Fashion Week on July 04, 2023 in Paris, France. (Photo by Arnold Jerocki/Getty Images)

There has only ever been one collab between 50 Cent and Kendrick. In 2013, the pair dropped “We Up”. However, despite their careers diverging, Fif has a lot of respect for Kendrick. “I love Kendrick,” he said. “Obviously there is a huge difference in the two of us, in our characters, and the way we present ourselves ’cause to me he possesses the ability to appear like he didn’t know this was going to happen,” he told XXL back in 2013.

He continued. “There’s a level of confidence required for you to withstand the level of doubt, and I had so much doubt prior to it actually working for me, that I would appear at points a little arrogant. Like, ‘I knew it was going to work, because it took you so long to figure it out. I told you it was hot.’ And Kendrick will give you that energy that’s like, ‘This is great. This is really happening.’ Every time I’m around him, that’s what it feels like.”

Read More: Kendrick Lamar eyeing $9M condo in Brooklyn

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Kendrick Lamar & Tems Discuss Artistry, Mental Health, And More In Powerful New Interview

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When it comes to artist interviews, some of the best are usually done by their contemporaries, or at least others who are familiar with the workings of their industry. Interview Magazine is notorious for pairing the perfect celebrities together, most recently nabbing Kendrick Lamar to chat with Nigerian superstar Tems ahead of her debut album. The pair discussed everything from staying sane while in the studio to other creatives who have influenced them in the powerful new conversation.

“I’m not sure when the first time I heard music was, but I found myself loving the radio, and I used to hear Celine Dion. Nigerians love Celine Dion,” the 28-year-old shared with the DAMN hitmaker. “Her songs are very emotional, jump-off-a-cliff type songs. They entered my soul. I think that’s where my love for music started.” Elsewhere, Tems mentioned buying a fake Destiny’s Child CD as a core memory from her youth, noting that it didn’t take long before she learned all 30 songs on the project.

Read More: Tems Claps Back At Critics Slamming Her New Cover Shoot: “Not Your Christian Saviour”

Tems Reveals Her Early Musical Influences

As her star continues to shine brighter, the African songbird noted that she wants to remain grounded in her roots. “You have to remember how you felt when you started as an artist, to understand the reason you’re doing what you’re doing,” Tems insisted. “Yes, it’s to be seen, or to make a name for yourself, but beyond that, why are you doing it? Most of the time it’s because you have a story to share, a message to give.”

Lamar had plenty of wisdom to contribute to the conversation as well, notably crediting Curtis Jackson with making him look at things differently in one of the New Yorker’s past interviews. “I’ve always studied 50 Cent’s music and watched his interviews, and someone asked if he was a conscious artist,” the Pulitzer Prize winner reflected. “He said, ‘Yeah, I’m a conscious artist because I have a conscience.’”

Read More: 50 Cent Explains The Difference Between Him & Kendrick Lamar

Kendrick Lamar Gives 50 Cent His Flowers

“That s**t blew me away. It gave me a different perspective – 50 drops a lot of jewels that give me perspective, but that one right there gave me a sense of, okay, a lot of artists live and know how to project duality. That’s the true gift because that’s what life is about in its wholeness,” Lamar told Tems of Fif’s perspective. Read their full Interview Magazine story here, and check back later for more hip-hop/pop culture news updates.

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Teyana Taylor Talks New Film With Interview Magazine

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Teyana Taylor may have taken a step back from music, but her talents are shining through in other ways. The 32-year-old singer has returned to her acting career, starring in the drama A Thousand and One. She has received endless praise for her role as single mother, ​​Inez, who kidnaps her son Terry from the foster care system. The film won the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance and received a 97% on Rotten Tomatoes since debuting in theaters. Speaking with Interview Magazine about her journey, Taylor says she couldn’t have imagined it. 

“At 16, I was still thinking about skateboards,” Taylor laughed when speaking with interviewer Jeremy O. Harris. The mother of two and wife to retired NBA pro-Iman Shumpert, Taylor says her own mother, Nikki Taylor, helped her transform into Inez. She praised Nikky for working diligently to provide, despite Taylor’s longing for quality time as a child. After signing her first record deal with Pharrell, Nikki quit her job immediately. She would then become her daughter’s manager and a big part of Taylor’s success. 

Teyana Taylor Praises New Film “A Thousand And One”

Taylor describes her role of Inez as embodying the hardworking women in her life. Continuing to gloat over her mother, Taylor admits Nikki harbors a lot of guilt for the lack of time she spent with her due to work. However, she maintains that she appreciates her mother’s sacrifices. As a mom herself now, the adored fashionista better understands the love of a mother. The role of Inez also demonstrates such compromises, as she risks her freedom simply to love her child. 

This powerful film is the latest endeavor in Taylor’s post-music career. In 2020, she confirmed that she was retiring from recording. This decision followed a botched release of her LP “The Album,” which didn’t get much push from G.O.O.D Music/Def Jam. Still, the project debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top R&B Albums. Sadly, “The Album” was snubbed during the 2021 Grammy’s ceremony for Best R&B Album. Judging by her current success, Taylor doesn’t necessarily need music. Though, her fans remain hopeful that one day she’ll change her mind. 

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ASAP Rocky on Rap Being ‘Stuck’ in State of Adolescence Since the Rise of the Internet: ‘It’s Not as Mature’

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