Dee-1 has received a ton of backlash from his city of New Orleans after defending the recent Kendrick Lamar Super Bowl Halftime Show announcement.
As previously reported, not only NOLA locals but fans and peers around the country have been voicing their disapproval that K.dot was chosen over their hometown hero Lil Wayne.
Dee did not join that chorus, however, and days later received a shout out from Kendrick in his newest song. Apparently this garnered a ton of hate from around Dee’s city, including diss tracks and the like, and he gathered screenshots of what he’s been receiving in an Instagram post shared on Thursday (September 12).
“This is why you should never love your city more than you love God,” he said in the clip. “So Kendrick Lamar shouted me out in his new song and honestly, it’s been life-changing already in the past 24 hours. That’s the elevation. At the same time comes the condemnation.”
He continued: “So now they got people – because they mad at my opinion at who should perform at the Super Bowl – so now they making diss tracks about me. They got people saying I’m canceled from the city. They got people saying I better not come back to the city. People I’m cool with making videos mad at what I’m standing on, when it’s the same thing I been standing on since y’all met me.
“People who I just went on their podcast and it was all friendship and love, now calling me a clout chaser and mad because we got a difference of opinion about who should perform at the Super Bowl. So the biggest rapper in the world is saluting me for my character. And at the same time, it’s people in my city trying to cancel me for my character.”
Dee-1 concluded: “The same character that’s leading to my elevation is leading to my condemnation. Thankfully, I’m just gon’ keep being me, keep serving God. That’s what got me here. And Imma just be thankful for every part that comes along with this journey, no matter what it entails.”
Watch the full clip below.
Kendrick Lamar took fans by surprise on Wednesday (September 11) by dropping an untitled track on Instagram without notice following the fervent chatter surrounding his upcoming Super Bowl halftime show.
Referred to by fans as “Watch the Party Die,” the five-minute effort finds Kendrick serving up some pointed social commentary as he laments the state of the rap game and wider music industry (if not modern culture as a whole).
From those who “parade in gluttony without givin’ truth to the youth” and “glorify scamming” to “street n-ggas, corporate guys and rappers” who “report the lies” and “the radio personality pushin’ propaganda for salary,” multiple targets face the wrath of King Kendrick’s silver tongue.
Towards the end of the track, Kendrick namedrops Lecrae and Dee-1, two rappers who are also known for thoughtful rap music that shines a spotlight on the ills of society and attempts to light a path for listeners to make better choices.
“Sometimes I wonder what Lecrae would do / Fuck these n-ggas up or show ’em just what prayer do?” he spits, referencing the veteran Christian MC.
He continues: “I want to be empathetic, my heart like Dee-1 / But I would—,” omitting what sounds like a threat against his enemies.
Reacting to the line on X, Lecrae reciprocated the love by writing: “Love you Dot….Always here. [praying hands emoji].”
Dee-1 posted a throwback photo of him and Kendrick along with the caption: “i appreciate the shoutout brother. @kendricklamar [heart emoji] More than you’ll ever know. A shift is happening. The time is now! [praying hands emoji].”