Questlove Reacts to Kendrick Lamar’s Tribute: How The Roots’ Legacy Shaped “Squabble Up” and Today’s Hip-Hop

When Kendrick Lamar premiered the music video for “Squabble Up” in November 2024, hip-hop fans from the ’90s and 2000s were quick to spot a familiar visual thread: it was a direct homage to The Roots’ 1999 classic, “The Next Movement.” For many, it wasn’t just a nostalgic callback—it was a powerful reminder of how deeply Questlove and The Roots have influenced modern hip-hop.

The scene-for-scene recreation of “The Next Movement” music video didn’t go unnoticed. Social media erupted with praise for the tribute, sparking conversations across generations of hip-hop heads. For Questlove himself, the moment was both surprising and deeply meaningful.

Appearing on The Jennifer Hudson Show on May 22, Questlove recounted the moment he found out about the homage. “I thought he dissed us,” he joked. “Then they told me it was a tribute.” The Grammy-winning musician woke up to dozens of messages, unsure at first of what Kendrick had done. What he discovered was one of the most creatively respectful nods to his group’s legacy in recent memory.

Originally released as the lead single from Things Fall Apart, The Roots’ “The Next Movement” remains one of the group’s defining tracks. With over 16.9 million streams on Spotify and a platinum certification to its name, the song anchored an album that peaked at No. 4 on the Billboard 200 and helped solidify The Roots’ status as icons of conscious hip-hop.

Fast-forward to 2024, and “Squabble Up”—produced by Sounwave and Jack Antonoff—revived the sampled track with a modern flair. Mixing the gritty, lyrical intensity of Kendrick Lamar with the vintage sounds of Debbie Deb, the song quickly climbed to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. It became Lamar’s third chart-topper of the year and his fifth overall.

But beyond chart success, “Squabble Up” served a greater purpose. In an era where rap often favors immediacy over roots, Lamar’s tribute was a bold declaration of respect. Rather than rehash the past, he reimagined it—paying homage without losing the edge of innovation.

By spotlighting The Roots in such a major way, Kendrick reinforced the importance of remembering hip-hop’s pioneers. His tribute wasn’t performative—it was layered, artistic, and deeply intentional. It reminded fans and artists alike that growth in the genre doesn’t require forgetting where it began.

The celebration of The Roots’ legacy comes amid even more accolades. Earlier this year, they were honored with their very own street in Philadelphia, much to Questlove’s surprise—a symbolic gesture recognizing decades of musical impact.

Meanwhile, Kendrick Lamar continues to make history on the Grand National Tour with SZA. Now one of the highest-grossing hip-hop tours ever, Lamar became the first rapper to have two of the top five most profitable tours of all time. SZA is also setting records with her album SOS, contributing to a year in music marked by artistic triumph and commercial success.

In bridging generations through “Squabble Up”, Kendrick Lamar didn’t just honor a legacy—he reignited it. And for Questlove and The Roots, the message is clear: their movement is still in motion.