Akademiks Reacts to Kendrick Lamar Rumours Ahead of AZ Chike’s New Album
Akademiks has once again shared his thoughts on Kendrick Lamar, this time following reports that the Compton rapper could appear on AZ Chike’s upcoming album, No Rest For The Wicked. The possibility of another Kendrick Lamar collaboration has attracted attention because the rapper has remained selective about his releases and guest appearances in recent years. It has also generated discussion because of AZ Chike’s previous collaboration with Kendrick on “peekaboo,” a track from Kendrick’s GNX album. For Akademiks, however, the potential feature became an opportunity to question Kendrick’s release strategy and his relatively limited presence in music. His comments have added another layer to the growing anticipation surrounding AZ Chike’s September 18 album.
The reported Kendrick Lamar appearance has particular significance because of the relationship between the two artists. AZ Chike and Kendrick previously worked together on “peekaboo,” which appeared on GNX and introduced listeners to their chemistry. Chike also recently removed his verse from The Game’s The Documentary III, a decision that led some fans to speculate that he was showing support for Kendrick. Those theories gained additional attention as fans began connecting the dots between Chike’s upcoming album and his relationship with Kendrick. With No Rest For The Wicked scheduled to arrive on September 18, listeners are now watching closely to see whether Kendrick ultimately appears on the official tracklist.
Akademiks responded to the speculation with the kind of blunt commentary that has become associated with his discussions about Kendrick. He suggested that if Kendrick does appear on the project, the rapper will probably use the opportunity to talk about his usual subjects and potentially throw some shots. Akademiks then shifted the conversation toward what he believes is the larger issue surrounding Kendrick’s career, which is the rapper’s relatively selective approach to releasing music. According to Akademiks, Kendrick’s periods of inactivity were connected to his situation with Top Dawg Entertainment, particularly his efforts to move away from the label. He argued that Kendrick’s departure from TDE and the creation of pgLang should have given the rapper more freedom to release music more frequently.
The period between Kendrick’s DAMN. and Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers albums became an important part of Akademiks’ argument. Kendrick went several years without releasing a full studio album during that stretch, eventually returning with Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers in 2022. Akademiks believes that Kendrick’s business relationship with TDE played a significant role in his absence during that period. He then questioned why Kendrick has continued to maintain a selective release schedule after leaving the label and establishing pgLang. The comments reflect a broader debate among hip-hop fans about whether major artists should release music regularly or wait until they have something they consider worth releasing.
Akademiks went further by comparing Kendrick’s approach to that of Drake, whose much more frequent output has often been used as a contrast in discussions about the two rappers. While Drake has consistently released albums, singles, collaborations and other projects, Kendrick has generally taken longer breaks between major releases. Akademiks argued that Kendrick’s absence can make the rapper appear less active than other major artists in the genre. He even compared Kendrick’s approach to Kawhi Leonard’s carefully managed presence in professional basketball, although he made it clear that he did not believe Kendrick’s situation was exactly the same. The comparison reflects Akademiks’ frustration with an artist he believes has the stature to be more consistently present in hip-hop.
Despite his criticism, Akademiks also acknowledged Kendrick Lamar’s importance to rap. He admitted that Kendrick is not his favourite artist, but said he believes Kendrick remains important to the culture and to the broader rap landscape. He pointed to Kendrick’s influence and the importance of having different styles represented within hip-hop. Akademiks also discussed Kendrick’s position within West Coast rap, arguing that his presence helps keep attention on the region’s talent even if he does not believe Kendrick does enough to actively promote other West Coast artists. That combination of criticism and praise made his comments more complicated than simply dismissing Kendrick altogether.
His remarks about Kendrick and the West Coast also reveal the expectations that come with being one of the biggest rappers associated with the region. Kendrick has become a major figure in West Coast hip-hop and has helped keep Los Angeles at the centre of conversations about contemporary rap. Akademiks believes that Kendrick could do more to spotlight other artists from the area and create opportunities for emerging talent. At the same time, Kendrick has consistently maintained a selective approach to his public profile and musical output. Whether that strategy represents a weakness or simply a different philosophy depends largely on what listeners expect from one of the genre’s biggest names.
The potential AZ Chike collaboration therefore arrives at an interesting moment for Kendrick. A feature on No Rest For The Wicked would give fans another opportunity to hear him alongside an artist with whom he has already demonstrated strong chemistry. It would also generate additional conversation about what Kendrick is preparing to do next, particularly after the impact of GNX and his continued activity outside a conventional album cycle. For AZ Chike, having Kendrick potentially appear on the project could provide an important moment for an album that is already receiving attention before its release. The speculation alone demonstrates how much interest a possible Kendrick feature can create, even when the rapper has not publicly confirmed the appearance.
There is also a larger question about how Kendrick’s selective approach affects his relationship with his audience. Some fans appreciate the anticipation created by long gaps between projects, while others want the rapper to release music more frequently. Akademiks clearly falls closer to the second group, arguing that Kendrick has effectively starved some of his fans by being so selective. However, Kendrick’s career demonstrates that scarcity has not necessarily reduced his influence or demand. His major releases continue to generate significant discussion, while even rumours of a guest appearance can become major news within hip-hop circles.
For now, fans will have to wait for the official release of No Rest For The Wicked to determine whether Kendrick Lamar actually appears on AZ Chike’s album. Until the tracklist confirms the collaboration, the feature remains a reported possibility rather than a certainty. Akademiks’ reaction has nevertheless ensured that the rumour has become part of a larger conversation about Kendrick’s career, his relationship with his fans and his approach to releasing music. His comments also show that even critics who question Kendrick’s output can recognise the rapper’s importance to hip-hop and the West Coast. If Kendrick does appear on AZ Chike’s project, the feature could become one of the album’s biggest talking points, while also giving fans another reason to debate whether the elusive rapper should be making music more frequently.
