Rapper Kendrick Lamar is facing backlash after uttering a little-known racial slur in a song on his new album.
The hip-hop star released his seventh studio album, GNX, on Friday and has since faced criticism online for using the slur that refers to Indigenous people.
The new album’s first track, Wacced Out Murals, features the lyrics: ‘Whatever, though, call me crazy, everybody questionable/Turn me to an Eskimo, I drew the lines and decimals.’
Fans of the artist took to social media to blast Lamar’s use of ‘Eskimo,’ a derogatory term aimed at Native American communities.
‘Kendrick using a slur for Inuit and Yupik people during Native American Heritage Month in the US was not on my bingo card,’ one user wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
Another posted: ‘Dude I don’t want to be that guy by Kendrick saying Eskimo is racist. Why is it okay for someone of that level to say slanderous names like that? Really upsetting.’
Others have accused to PRIDE rapper for using what they consider ‘colonizer language’ – a term Lamar used during his beef with Canadian hip-hop artist Drake earlier this year.
‘Kendrick calling people colonizers, then uses the colonizer language and puts out a song calling Inuit people Eskimos is so disrespectful,’ another user on X wrote.
Kendrick Lamar is facing backlash after uttering a little-known racial slur in a song on his new album
The hip-hop star released his seventh studio album, GNX, on Friday and has since faced criticism online for using the slur that refers to Indigenous people. Pictured: the album cover art for GNX
The new album’s first track, Wacced Out Murals, features the lyrics: ‘Whatever, though, call me crazy, everybody questionable/Turn me to an Eskimo, I drew the lines and decimals’
Others have backed the 37-year-old artist, widely recognized for his technical artistry and complex songwriting, claiming the term is not widely known as a racial slur.
‘Eskimo is a slur??? Damn why are we now being made aware of this,’ another user on X wrote.
‘What? I’m native and saying Eskimo is not a slur, he just means turned cold.’ commented another.
Still, others said the the lyric offered the chance to educate people on the word’s controversial use and history.
‘Kendrick using a slur against my people doesn’t sit right with me … we need to educate people on why this is NOT OKAY,’ @Stezi_xx posted on X.
The same person posted a video to TikTok explaining the background: ‘It’s not okay. People need to research this.
‘I don’t want to be that guy, bro, Kendrick is a great artist. And I don’t think he’s racist or anything. I think he’s just misinformed, like 90 percent of the world, because for some reason our history doesn’t matter.
‘It’s so stupid to me, man. I just wish everyone would research what it means and have a little bit more respect.’
Viewers thanked the poster for providing background.
‘Thank you for educating me on something I did not know!’ one replied.
Other on TikTok mentioned that they grew thinking the term was acceptable.
‘Wait!! It’s a slur? They taught us the word in school. I’m confused. I have so many questions,’ one wrote.
Another added: ‘Only a few years ago did I learn Inuit was the correct term. I hate that it took so long for me.’
The hit song is one of the most popular on the 44-minute, 12-song album, which has garnered approximately 5.42 million streams on Spotify since its release.
Earlier this year, Lamar announced that he will headline the Super Bowl LIX Apple Music Halftime Show, which will be held at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans on February 9.
‘My name is Kendrick Lamar and I’ll be performing at Super Bowl LIX,’ Lamar – who boasts a massive following on social media – said in a video.
‘Will you be pulling up? I hope so. You know there’s only one opportunity to win a championship. No round twos. Let’s get it, boom! I wouldn’t want you to miss it. Meet me in New Orleans [on] February 9, 2025.’
