Andrew Schultz Labels Kendrick Lamar as the “Taylor Swift of Hip-Hop”

Schultz’s Comparison to Lamar

Comedian Andrew Schultz referred to Kendrick Lamar as the “Taylor Swift of hip-hop,” emphasizing that “no matter what (Lamar) does, he's still a victim.”

• READ MORE: Kendrick Lamar – 'GNX' Review: Turning Hate into a Teachable Moment

Controversial Comments and Responses

In July, Schultz faced backlash for claiming that the “black girl effect” serves as a “protective instinct” for white men in interracial relationships, insinuating that black women display violence.

Numerous individuals criticized his remarks, including Lamar, who appeared to take an indirect shot at him in the song “Wacced Out Murals” from his recent album, “GNX.” In the track, Lamar rapped: “Don't let any white comedian talk about any black woman, that's the law.” The lyrics seem to address Schultz’s well-known statements.

Nearly two weeks after the track’s release, Schultz reacted, labeling Lamar’s critique as hypocritical regarding his own misogyny. He also quipped about “making love” to Lamar, which many found offensive. This included Meek Mill, who tweeted (via Difficult): “(A) white man openly declaring that he will rape a black man is extreme.” Charlamagne Tha God defended Schultz on their podcast Brilliant Idiots, stating that comedians should have the freedom to joke about anyone.

Reflection on Swift and Lamar

In the most recent episode of the podcast, Charlamagne disclosed that Lamar’s team contacted him regarding Schultz’s comments defending him, to which Schultz remarked: “Kendrick really is the Taylor Swift of hip-hop. No matter what he does, he is still a victim.”

Andrew Schultz says Charlamagne God received a call from Kendrick Lamar's team about his comments. He says kdot is like Taylor Swift playing the victim. You've been calling Drake a pedophile all summer, but when someone does this to you. you become sensitive pic.twitter.com/pklCfdttNR

— joebuddenclips/fan page (@Chatnigga101) December 14, 2024

He elaborated: “You know how Taylor is always the victim? She's the greatest music artist in history, but she's a victim of the label, a victim of Scooter (Braun), a victim of her boys. However, it is still the largest in the world. Somehow Kendrick is the victim here.”

Schultz referenced Swift’s ongoing disputes with her former manager Scooter Braun. Braun’s company Ithaca Holdings acquired Big Machine Records in 2019, which owned the rights to Swift’s first six albums. A year later, Braun sold these master recordings for over $300 million without providing Swift the opportunity to secure them herself, prompting her to re-record her older albums to regain control.

Drake also drew parallels between Lamar and Swift with his diss track “Taylor Made Freestyle.” During their high-profile feud this spring, he speculated that Lamar refrained from responding to his initial diss track to avoid overshadowing Swift’s 11th studio album, The Tortured Poets Department.

The song “Taylor Made Freestyle” was ultimately removed from all of Drake’s platforms after Tupac’s estate threatened legal action over an AI-generated verse imitating the late rapper.

Lamar’s previous label, Top Dawg Entertainment, recently held its 11th annual Christmas concert and toy drive. While he no longer performs there, he debuted the upbeat track “Squabble Up” at the event.

“GNX” received a perfect score from NME, stating, “Lamar channels what can be interpreted as hate and negativity into a teachable moment, encouraging you to tap into the purest emotion known to man: love.” The publication noted that it was a year rife with negativity, and Kendrick Lamar provided the antidote on this album.

The surprise album also secured the 12th position on NME‘s list of the 50 best albums of 2024, noted for its “sharp and precise” tracks.

Additionally, Lamar’s widely-discussed diss track “Not Like Us” narrowly missed the top spot on NME‘s 50 Best Songs of 2024, praised for transforming “smart, well-researched character assassinations into a furious, up-tempo club hit produced by DJ Mustard.”

Meanwhile, Swift’s extraordinary Eras Tour concluded, becoming the highest-grossing tour of all time, amassing over US$2 billion in 17 months and completing over 100 stops.