Akademiks Calls Kendrick Lamar “Lazy,” Says He Has “Starved” West Coast Fans

DJ Akademiks says Kendrick Lamar’s selective release schedule has left listeners waiting too long, even as he acknowledges the Compton rapper remains one of hip-hop’s most important figures.

DJ Akademiks has taken another shot at Kendrick Lamar, this time focusing on how often the Pulitzer Prize-winning rapper releases music. During a recent livestream, Akademiks called Lamar “lazy” and questioned why he remains so selective with new material despite now operating through pgLang.

The comments came as attention turned to a possible Kendrick appearance on AZ Chike’s upcoming No Rest For The Wicked, which is due September 18. Chike previously appeared on Kendrick’s “peekaboo” from GNX, and recent studio imagery involving the two artists has fueled expectations that another collaboration could be on the way.

According to CGM, Akademiks said he once understood Kendrick’s longer gaps between releases as the rapper transitioned away from Top Dawg Entertainment. “I just feel the n***a lazy, bro,” Akademiks said while questioning why Kendrick is still relatively absent from music between major releases and appearances.

That criticism comes with an important caveat from Akademiks himself. He said Kendrick is not his favorite rapper but remains important to rap, before arguing that the artist has not used his position often enough to keep West Coast listeners supplied with new music or to spotlight more regional talent. “I think Kendrick starved his fans on the West Coast,” he said.

Akademiks has repeatedly compared Kendrick’s approach with Drake’s higher-volume release strategy, particularly since their explosive 2024 rap battle. Kendrick’s path has been notably more selective, but his output has hardly disappeared: he released Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers in 2022, followed it with GNX in 2024, and has continued to surface through performances, collaborations and projects connected to pgLang.

The timing of Akademiks’ remarks gives the debate a fresh angle as AZ Chike prepares his next album. If Kendrick does appear on No Rest For The Wicked, the collaboration would extend a West Coast connection already established on “peekaboo” while also answering, at least temporarily, the demand for another Lamar verse.

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