DJ Akademiks on Kendrick Lamar's Circle
Mackwop reacts to a video clip of DJ Akademiks discussing how Kendrick Lamar handles his inner circle and relationships with other West Coast artists.
Mackwop reviews a clip of DJ Akademiks streaming on Kick, where Akademiks claims that Kendrick Lamar treats many West Coast figures as distant acquaintances rather than close peers (). Akademiks notes that individuals who want to reach Kendrick often have to go through multiple intermediaries rather than calling him directly ().
Mackwop laughs at Akademiks' delivery while agreeing with aspects of the statement (). He explains that Kendrick maintains a tight-knit circle of trusted allies and rarely strays from that structure (). Mackwop elaborates that while some people view this stance as aloof, it reflects how Kendrick operates within the music industry to protect his focus and security ().
He then breaks down the hierarchy of communication needed to contact top-tier rap figures, pointing out that intermediaries like Izzy and Keem often act as gatekeepers (). Mackwop concludes that having strict communication channels is standard practice for high-profile artists, whether or not commentators find it funny or frustrating ().