It makes complete sense when you think about it, but it is nevertheless exciting to hear the news that Kendrick Lamar will reportedly have the wonderful job of inducting hip-hop legends N.W.A into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame this year.
Many have spent a great deal of the past year assessing Kendrick’s influence on hip-hop today, and many have described him as something of a successor to the influential Compton crew, one of the first to truly put a spotlight on socially and politically-informed hip-hop.
As pointed out by Complex, the Hall of Fame have announced that Kendrick, along with Metallica’s Lars Ulrich, Rob Thomas of Matchbox 20 and The Black Keys will be “special guests” at the ceremony, inducting N.W.A, alongside Cheap Trick, Deep Purple, Chicago and Steve Miller.
So, while it’s not technically confirmed that Kendrick will be inducting Ice Cube and co., it seems fairly likely. I don’t think that Rob Thomas is that much of a Straight Outta Compton fan, but you never know, I guess?
When the news was revealed back in December, it was lauded as an incredibly important moment for hip-hop, given that they’re only the fifth ever hip-hop act to be inducted, following on from Grandmaster Flash and The Furious Five, Run D.M.C, The Beastie Boys and Public Enemy.
It’s really exciting to see another hip-hop act receive this kind of recognition, but it’s not enough. Hip-hop Hall Of Fame, anyone?
This year’s Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony will take place at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn on April 8. If you happen to be in Brooklyn, you can purchase tickets to the event here.
Below, watch Kendrick Lamar interviewing N.W.A ahead of last year’s blockbuster biopic, Straight Outta Compton.
Image: BangRadio