Hip-hop legend Snoop Dogg crowned Kendrick Lamar the new “King of the West” following Lamar’s successful Pop Out concert in Los Angeles.
The event, which took place on Juneteenth, brought together various factions of the West Coast hip-hop scene in a display of unity and peace.
Snoop, speaking from Canada, praised Lamar’s ability to organize such a harmonious gathering. “Sending a big shout-out to K. Dot and all the homies from the West that stood together unified, organized in peace [and] love,” Snoop said. “That was fun to watch. Beautiful to see all my peoples come together.”
The Doggfather went on to officially pass the torch, stating, “K. Dot, you are the King of the West. That’s the kind of s–t kings do, we unite.” This crowning moment echoes Snoop’s earlier endorsement of Lamar back in 2011, when he told the then-rising star, “You got the torch. You better run with it, n—a, because it’s yours.”
Lamar’s Pop Out concert was his first performance since his recent feud with Drake. The show featured live debuts of tracks like “Euphoria” and “Not Like Us,” with Lamar performing the latter five times in succession.
Despite the ongoing beef, Lamar emphasized the importance of unity during the event, stating, “It ain’t got nothing to do with no back-and-forth records. It’s got everything to do with this moment right here.”
The concert succeeded in bringing together gang members from different sets and various Los Angeles luminaries on one stage, showcasing Lamar’s influence and ability to foster peace within the community.
This crowning by Snoop Dogg not only solidifies Kendrick Lamar’s status in the West Coast hip-hop scene but also highlights the importance of unity and peace in the often-competitive world of rap music.