July 26th 2024.
The city of Compton, California has long been known as a hub for hip-hop culture. It gained widespread recognition in the late 1980s when the revolutionary rap group N.W.A. burst onto the scene. Since then, many other artists have proudly represented their hometown, keeping the spotlight on Compton. Most recently, Kendrick Lamar's latest song and music video, "Not Like Us," has once again shone a bright light on the city. And this time, there was a special guest appearance from none other than DeMar DeRozan, the newly arrived power forward for the Sacramento Kings and a fellow Compton native.
At 34 years old, DeRozan has been a longtime player for the Toronto Raptors, where he has gained a loyal fan base. One of his biggest fans is none other than the famous rapper Drake, who is often seen sitting courtside at Raptors games. But DeRozan wants to make it clear that there is no rivalry between him and Drake, despite what some may think. When asked about his appearance in Lamar's video, DeRozan reassured everyone that Drake is still his "man."
In an interview with The Sacramento Bee, DeRozan discussed the significance of Kendrick Lamar's song, video, and surprise performance in California. He highlighted how these events brought the community of Compton together, with even rival gang members setting aside their differences and coming together in peace.
"It was an amazing experience," DeRozan shared. "For that moment, it was so much bigger than what people saw as just a beef between Drake and Kendrick. It brought our whole city together in a different light, where there was no violence or issues. It was a peaceful gathering, and that was the true beauty of it all."
It was hard to miss the reference to DeRozan in Lamar's song, where he mentions, "I'm glad DeRoz' came home, y'all didn't deserve him neither." But DeRozan made sure to clarify that there is no bad blood between him and Canada's favorite rapper.
"Drake is still my man, none of that has changed," DeRozan said. "It's easy for people to misinterpret things and see it as a rivalry, but at the end of the day, it's just music and entertainment. Two of the biggest rappers in the world going at it from a competitive standpoint, battling it out. That's what fans want to see, just like watching Kobe and Jordan play one-on-one. And no matter who wins, the debate will still continue. That's all it is."
It's clear that DeRozan has a deep appreciation for both Kendrick Lamar and Drake, and he was honored to be a part of the momentous occasion that brought his city together in a positive way. And as for the ongoing debate between the two rappers, DeRozan understands the excitement and competitiveness that comes with it. At the end of the day, it's all just good music and entertainment.
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