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Billboard recently announced their selections for the 10 Greatest Pop Stars of 2024 highlighting Kendrick Lamar at number one showing the years best artists with specific placements for the year of 2024. Billboard has spent the last week reviewing artists for placements within this yearly category. Kendrick Lamar had an exceptionally successful year defined by both impactful music releases and cultural milestones cementing him the top spot within 2024 rankings. Billboard's selection showed Kendrick Lamar was named top pop star of the year for his huge musical impact during the year including singles cultural and commercial successes during this year. Billboard also released a new Greatest Pop Star podcast discussing the methodology in detail that helped choose Kendrick Lamar as top star in music.
Kendrick Lamar's remarkable 2024 began in March with a verse in Future and Metro Boomin’s hit song “Like That" which helped generate enormous buzz. Lamar kept releasing music all year which helped generate headlines from critics and fans. Kendrick demonstrated his full musical abilities via cultural and commercial success. Prior to his success this past year Kendrick Lamar received positive reviews for his 2022 album Mr. Morale and the Big Steppers yet this album didn't hold long term cultural momentum despite initial critical and fan appreciation of its new and evolving sound. 2023 saw him releasing collaborative tracks such as “The Hillbillies” with Baby Keem plus a “America Has a Problem” remix with Beyoncé but even these songs had a lower reach on the charts even though these partnerships added to his discography.
Kendrick Lamar had an extraordinary year not simply to showcase old achievements but to push to a higher status among other musicians. The rapper created moments that went far beyond rap becoming powerful moments within music in the mainstream. Kendrick also held his ground dominating other popular music forms and rivalries this entire year. Kendrick entered 2024 in a unique position that needed new hits and fresh recognition with previous singles from years prior slowly dropping off the top charts, making his year much more notable . Future and Metro Boomin released "Like That" as the lead single which also included a guest verse by Kendrick further proving how much he has influenced pop music.
“Like That” the collaboration with Future and Metro Boomin and his involvement was well kept under wraps until release showing the impact on its reach on audiences globally. The song and the performance featured samples from many 1980s hip-hop classics like Rodney O and Joe Cooley and Eazy E. It was further amplified due to the very incendiary lyrics. The verse was directly aimed towards fellow rap artists Drake and J Cole who released together “First Person Shooter” in 2023 that proclaimed them members of rap’s “Big Three" with Kendrick who was invited to record this track.
The dynamic of Kendrick and Drake is complex with their interactions dating back to 2011, beginning cordially and chilling by 2013. Kendrick did not use subtleties this time calling out the “Big Three” while simultaneously showcasing he was better than his contemporaries. The references to Michael Jackson as well as For All The Dogs created immediate responses among hip hop fans showcasing an obvious bias against Drake by fans. “Like That” rapidly climbed to the top of Billboard Hot 100 marking Kendrick’s return to chart domination with his hit singles that pushed the limits of popularity in hip hop culture
J Cole responded to “Like That” with his track “7-Minute Drill” a track from the mixtape titled Might Delete Later. Cole also mocked Kendrick while expressing misgivings on the beef. J Cole later removed “7-Minute Drill” showing how it caused mixed reaction among fans. Drake initially responded through the release of "Push Ups" an internet leak. It included direct insults to Kendrick with multiple bars aimed at making fun of perceived shortcomings. Drake's response prompted more reactions from all parties. Drake next released the “Taylor Made Freestyle” featuring AI renditions that impersonated Snoop Dogg and 2Pac using west coast artist as direct barbs that added more fuel to the beef causing further dissention between the two popular rap artists. Kendrick responded forcefully April 30 with a direct diss track “Euphoria” a six minute rebuke covering many aspects of Drake. The song rapidly hit number 11 even despite releasing mid week showcasing the high listenership of the diss track.
From here the feuding escalated into intense quick volleys of released material from both Kendrick and Drake. Three days after “Euphoria” Kendrick released “6:16 in LA” a song that alluded to betrayal among members of Drake’s team but also used Al Green sample a significant moment for rap fans. Drake fired back with “Family Matters” a seven minute track with many flows against Kendrick along with other side players involved in feud with very high production values. Drake even taunted his rival by smashing the vehicle used in his former album art for good kid maad city and eating food at a place named on Kendrick’s song "Euphoria".
Within an hour of that track Kendrick returned with the song “Meet the Grahams” creating a lyrical response directed to his family as well as Drake, revealing even more details on his private life. Accusations flew during the period which lacked conclusive evidence from either side. “Not Like Us” came next less than 24 hours later delivering multiple accusations while also adding catchy hooks with Mustard beats .
“Not Like Us” achieved immediate pop status due to universally catchy qualities, it also had a specific four word chorus. “Not Like Us” gained mainstream appreciation as a club anthem a party favorite even by those unfamiliar with diss tracks as a culture. The song made it’s way through social media to cultural icon Kamala Harris also to sports stadiums and Los Angeles Dodgers stadium becoming the championship soundtrack. It became the second week Billboard top hit from Kendrick after release for this diss song with an overwhelming success.
Drake’s response came as “The Heart Pt 6” which denied abuse and called misinformation on a child while being unable to meet the same level of cultural hype. Drake's response was not as well-received. Many viewed his song as overly defensive as he couldn't hold space while being mired in aggressive dirgey lyrics, further contrasting his efforts against a much catchier chorus and hooks of “Not Like Us”. The conflict became highly lopsided with Drake historically showing success by pivoting back to hits now being over taken by Kendrick showing a different strategy worked and was an exception to all his previous strategies. Drake who is very skilled failed to capitalize while Kendrick Lamar held dominance by producing the most popular mainstream friendly hit. Kendrick also chose his moves perfectly and seemed as if was moving on past a conflict.
Kendrick announced "The Pop Out Ken and Friends" concert to be held on Juneteenth signaling his next phase and showing another unique talent from his extensive set of skills. The location was significant showcasing his return to Inglewood California which had large number of both celebrities and fans who tuned in online during broadcast and show performances via Amazon Prime showing the world his growing talent. Many influential talents also graced stage like Westside Boogie Dom Kennedy Tyler The Creator Steve Lacy among others including DJ Mustard that collaborated on big popular tracks with him as an acknowledgement to his journey. Black Hippy co-stars ScHoolboy Q and Dr. Dre all graced the stage for performances.
The “Not Like Us” music video came out July 4 adding another layer to his performance. Kendrick leads many groups singing and dancing and then showed himself along with Whitney as a family man with children creating a peaceful picture that showed his home environment and peaceful life. His messaging shows unity among the different families and diverse communities. The video also included subtle digs directed to his rival by showing a beaten OVO owl clearly marking this battle had yet to truly subside.
Kendrick Lamar is heading into 2025 as the headliner for Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans which will take place next year highlighting his overall influence and popularity to large audiences and mainstream networks. Kendrick received Grammy nomination across seven categories in part for "Like That” and “Not Like Us". His year continued strong commercially with no physical release but with all digitally sales in November, he suddenly dropped a project titled "GNX" which had an overwhelmingly successful response from critics and the public alike creating further dominance across many forms of popular music formats.
GNX's twelve tracks hit charts instantly with sales of 319000 units making a record for best rap number debut for 2024 further proving that Lamar held unique influence in hip hop. GNX includes various top charts singles with the number 1 "Squabble Up" being among them and features SZA’s contributions on "Luther" that sampled Luther Vandross. "TV Off" showcases similar sound quality reminiscent of "Not Like Us" with Jack Antonoff credit as a contributor showcasing how large his influence and network reach truly is for pop musicians.
Kendrick's journey through this year has been transformative where he went all-in starting with the release of “Like That” and fully dominating charts after years of carefully curated releases and calculated moves within the industry. While he showed subtle signs of push back during his ascent to the highest echelons of hip-hop his action during 2024 proved any resistance was minimal or non-existent when he saw an opportunity and maximized on every chance presented. Kendrick's year was also unique for dominating the scene completely from the release of “Like That” and onward while achieving success in the feud, all while consistently maintaining creative integrity which showed that he had always been an incredible all-rounder musician.
His 2024 victory proves that a carefully curated approach allows maximum opportunities for any artist of this caliber. His strategy created a complete success which involved three Hot 100 number ones plus an acclaimed album and high Grammy nominations as a starting base line for 2025. Each of “Like That” and “Not Like Us” became historical marks in his career making Kendrick Lamar the greatest pop star in a list of many worthy competitors across pop music.
Lamar's success story does not end here as next he plans on co-headlining a 2025 stadium tour alongside with SZA solidifying him as major headliner among his peer groups. The project GNX with several hit songs ensures high chart numbers across the remainder of 2024 and well into next year as his fans eagerly anticipate future moves by this very popular and influential artist. He also remains compared to other global artists such as Beyonce and Taylor Swift showing how large his presence is within this moment.