Kendrick Lamar Co-Signs XXXTentacion's '17'
Kendrick Lamar gave XXXTentacion a major stamp of approval upon the release of the burgeoning Florida rapper’s debut album, 17.
Taking to Twitter on Friday (Aug. 25), Kung Fu Kenny shared his review of the buzzed-about project. “listen to this album if you feel anything,” he tweeted. “raw thoughts.”
Shortly after the praise, K-Dot revealed that he’d already listened to the album multiple times before tweeting about it.
https://t.co/ovjuQN8weO listen to this album if you feel anything. raw thoughts. https://t.co/ovjuQN8weO
— Kendrick Lamar (@kendricklamar) August 26, 2017
5th listen.
— Kendrick Lamar (@kendricklamar) August 26, 2017
XXX broke onto the scene earlier this year with 2015’s “Look at Me!,” after some claimed that Drake stole his flow on More Life’s “KMT.” Tentacion encouraged those rumors, sternly dissing Drizzy online and on the radio. Beyond these allegations, the Floridian MC built a solid fanbase through loose tracks and a noteworthy online presence. His fan base was so strong, in fact, that he was voted onto XXL’s annual Freshman cover.
But while his career was ascending, so was the controversy around him. Once he became a better known public figure, his legal history came to light, revealing that he “punched and kicked” his then pregnant girlfriend in 2016, according to an arrest report. He was later charged with aggravated battery of a pregnant woman, domestic battery by strangulation, false imprisonment, and witness-tampering. In March of this year, XXX was released from jail and placed on probation for separate charges, including armed home invasion and aggravated battery.
Violence has also followed XXX to the stage. In June, Tentacion punched a fan in the face. That same month, he was attacked and knocked out while performing in an incident that reportedly stemmed from a rap feud with fellow burgeoning rapper, Rob Stone.
But his career continues to flourish. On Friday, the platinum rapper released his debut album 17, which is available to stream below.