Ice-T and the estate of the late Isaac Hayes have responded to the nods they received in Kendrick Lamar‘s new music video for “Squabble Up.”
Released on Monday (November 25), the visual to the GNX cut pays homage to various aspects of California culture from the Bay to LA. — and also to several iconic album covers. Among the latter is a tribute to Ice’s 1988 LP Power (which fits also into the “California culture” category), as well as a nod to Hayes’ 1971 release, Black Moses.
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To acknowledge Hayes, K. Dot had a man in the video wearing a similar hooded robe the legendary singer donned on the cover and posed identically, while for Ice, he had a woman in a thong swimsuit holding a rifle like Ice’s then-girlfriend Darlene Ortiz did on Power‘s cover.
In a post to X, Ice-T wrote: “Respect! @kendricklamar” with a crown emoji.
Killer Mike replied to him, adding: “He Killed this! Dope nod to one of the greatest Artists, Albums and Covers ever! [salute emojis]”
Isaac’s estate wrote: “Isaac Hayes as Black Moses stands as a powerful symbol of liberation, leadership, and cultural pride. Thank you, @kendricklamar, for honoring Isaac and his legacy, reminding the world of the everlasting power of Blackness.”
Respect! @kendricklamar 👑 https://t.co/jj5juB3ysm
— ICE T (@FINALLEVEL) November 25, 2024
He Killed this! Dope nod to one of the greatest Artists, Albums and Covers ever! 🫡🫡🫡🫡 https://t.co/ElyJfnEa0h
— Killer Mike (@KillerMike) November 25, 2024
Isaac Hayes as Black Moses stands as a powerful symbol of liberation, leadership, and cultural pride.
Thank you, @kendricklamar, for honoring Isaac and his legacy, reminding the world of the everlasting power of Blackness. pic.twitter.com/PiD9vcg73o
— Isaac Hayes (@isaachayes) November 25, 2024
The track, an early fan favorite from Kendrick Lamar’s surprise drop GNX, is expected to debut at No. 1 on the next Billboard Hot 100 single chart, per Chart Data.
“squabble up” is far from the only GNX track to get attention. Album opener “wacced out murals” got a response from none other than Snoop Dogg.
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On the track, the title of which nods to a Compton mural of Kendrick being defaced by a Drake fan earlier this year, the Pulitzer Prize winner shares his thoughts on Snoop Dogg’s support of the 6 God.
“Snoop posted ‘Taylor Made,’ I prayed it was the edibles/ I couldn’t believe it, it was only right for me to let it go,” he raps, indicating that he has since gotten over the perceived slight.
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“Taylor Made” is, of course, a reference to Drake’s controversial diss song “Taylor Made Freestyle,” which featured AI-generated vocals from Snoop Dogg and 2Pac, two of Kendrick’s favorite artists.
After the song’s release, Tha Doggfather posted a video of his somewhat bemused reaction in which he said: “They did what? When? How? Are you sure? [Sigh] Y’all have a good night. [Laughs] Why everybody calling my phone, blowing me up?”
He later appeared to co-sign the track, which has since been taken down due to a legal threat from 2Pac’s estate, by posting it on his Instagram Stories and writing: “90s Hip Hop Forever.”
On Friday (November 22), Uncle Snoop responded to Kendrick, praising the album and admitting (or perhaps joking) that yes, it really was the edibles that were responsible for his Drizzy praise.
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Elsewhere on the track, Kendrick finally responds to the backlash surrounding his upcoming Super Bowl halftime show, specifically the notion that he denied Lil Wayne the opportunity to headline the big game in his hometown of New Orleans.
