KENDRICK'S UNRELEASED MASTERPIECE!! | Rapper Reacts to Kendrick Lamar - Prayer (FIRST REACTION)

[@KnoxHill]

What else should we react to? Comment below! Also if you like hat I'm wearing grab yours now 🤟www.knoxhillmusic.com/shop/chaos-kh-flex-fit-hat

[@abcrx32j]

What about story telling in a different genre? Maybe Holy, Holy by Geordie Greep or Dangerous Liaisons by Black midi

[@j.liptow9139]

Please Meow by Meovv

[@hubcity5047]

@@KnoxHill Why do people think Jay Z is the only person that gives the OK when choosing a artist for the Superbowl. It's like the President he doesn't make all the decisions in the White House there's other people that haf to approve of any decision made. IJS

[@HIFFlegends]

Look out for detox by Kdot

[@mukelanizondi6378]

React to Rapper Shit by Kendrick and Ab Soul

[@mizah316]

For anyone wondering, the legendary Alchemist produced this 🙏🏽🔥

[@ScienceIsTheOnlyRealThing]

bro if someone will steal alchemist hard drive, they can do a business on spot

[@hubcity5047]

The Jackson 5 released ABC in 1970 Kendrick is a genius. He is the Culture

[@johnsonaxel8784]

Yes. ABC by J5 was first played on American Bandstand on 21 Feb, then officially released on 24th. It was one of the first songs that showcased MJ skills. This looks like a tribute song to Michael Jackson.

[@ace_woe]

I hate when Knox Hill pretends he didn't already read the Genius page on this beforehand 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@TeeZee013]

​@@johnsonaxel8784 exactly. I'm convinced the reason Kendrick didn't release this track is because he realised that Michael was 'born' on that American Bandstand stage on the 21st. I feel like a small mistake like that is enough for him to be like "well now I can't release it🤷‍♂️"

[@Oxymoron_i]

@@ace_woei really wonder if he actually reads it beforehand or he just has insane knowledge. sometimes its just too unbelievable the amount of things he catches like even someone way deep in the lore wouldn’t always catch everything

[@ace_woe]

@TeeZee013 Nah, he's clearly personifying the song "ABC" which was released on the date he mentions... maybe he didn't release it because it didn't fit sonically on Mr. Morale and then it got leaked 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@shalimj]

In other words, “if shit hits the fan is you still a fan

[@BlackMarq20]

😂, they don’t know about that!

[@rinz7]

Best thing I read today, I remember writing an essay on Mortal Man months ago and tying it to this amazing song.

[@syxph3r]

Why don't you look to your left and right make sure you ask your friends

[@nitab5734]

Great analogy👏🏽👏🏽

[@nkosinathigasa1312]

One of my favourite Kendrick songs ever!❤

[@Jon155mt]

First verse is about MJ’s music Second verse is about MLK’s speech Kendrick is something else, man. It takes him so long to release albums because he takes so much time to create pieces of art with fine details and compelling lyrics. That’s also why he’s never made a bad album. He’s not just rushing out to put out nonsense just for the sake of having more songs out. We gotta appreciate rappers like him while he’s still here. He deserves every bit of the critical acclaim he’s got throughout his career. I definitely wish this song was officially released on DSPs tho 😭

[@johnnygutierrez9855]

Can’t rush art

[@Jon155mt]

@@johnnygutierrez9855 exactly

[@1_zuyuno]

hell yea.

[@Arachnophobia-f3v]

The first verse is FROM the Mjs song abc the second verse is FROM mlks speech

[@Jon155mt]

@@Arachnophobia-f3v Semantics…you get the point I was making.

[@Kickinthescience]

Makes you wonder how much music we didn’t get to hear on file he lost in the TPAB era

[@TeeZee013]

On Big Boi's show he said it has 500 unreleased tracks on it. However they most likely have been recovered. Apparently they thought that because they couldn't get the drive to work it meant the files couldn't be recovered. Upon finding out the drive wasn't physically damaged Big Boi realised that the data most likely still can be recovered. In most situations you can easily do it yourself following a simple tutorial. But someone who knows a thing or two about computers can basically recover any data unless the drive is physically destroyed. Fun fact formatting your drive doesn't delete your data. If you want something gone without destroying the drive you need to put some work in. - Fill up your drive completely (or as close as possible). - Format - Repeat With every time it gets harder to recover the original data. Basically it's like writing something on a piece of thick paper with a pencil, you can erase it but the pressure of the pencil left a mark in the paper. To get the mark completely gone you basically need to 'erase' some layers until the toplayer is completely flat again. Since a computer can't delete data that technically isn't there over and over again there needs to be some new data to delete. Because data is randomly stored the only way to make sure some new data is in the place you want to wipe clean is to completely fill up your drive.

[@Helloitsme0923]

Oh my gosh yes.. Prince has several catalogs of music that was never released.. If they did it’s enough for the next 20 years they say…

[@tocide]

Mortal Man was very similar to Prayer's concept. Kendrick is such an artist man

[@BlackNella]

@@TeeZee013you’re smart. Thanks for explaining this

[@syxph3r]

​@@TeeZee013interesting

[@shawnmcgoogin2882]

Kendrick is the definition of of “artist”! It’s more than catchy hooks and dance songs!! If you appreciate the art and storytelling of rap, you enjoy Kendrick!

[@lovehephzibah5601]

KDOT is cleansing hip hop and I’m so happy I’m alive to witness his journey. Kendrick Lamar is what’s best for Hiphop.

[@johnnydepp9850]

Safe to say, I’ll be watching the Super Bowl in February

[@gdgjjjkkk]

It’s gonna be iconic💯

[@ArthurGreat-v6t]

For sure

[@melsaint8616]

At least the half time show.

[@twest5581]

We all will, Don't nobody care about the drake fans on Twitter crashing out lol

[@KayG79]

@@twest5581 Exactly.

[@GL1TCH1N]

Not a big time Kendrick listener, but I've been listening to this unreleased song for months now. It's my favorite Kendrick song I've ever heard.

[@m.l.2871]

have u tried: Father Time, Count me out?

[@BlackNoir4]

Not a big kendrick listener, but 🗣🗣🗣🗣🗣🗣blah blah blah lol

[@doreasewalker2043]

​@@BlackNoir4Right!! He just contradicted himself not a big time Kendrick listener but I've been listening to this for months 🙄🙄😒😒 He's a Fan !!!🤣🤣

[@GL1TCH1N]

@@doreasewalker2043 Why are y'all acting like I'm shitting on Kendrick? When I say I'm not a big time listener I mean I'm not a huge fan and haven't listened to much of his albums. Don't know him much. Don't listen to him much. It's not that big of a deal. I have nothing against the dude or nothing. However, I have been listening to Prayer for months, but not a gazillion times. I listen to it every now and then. I like the beat, the vibe, the storytelling. I don't see why y'all think I'm contradicting or hating or whatever. I really am not a big time listener.

[@dubnation1360]

@@GL1TCH1Nweirdos don’t worry about it should listen to sing about me, I’m dying of thirst tho probably the best story telling song off all time very hard to follow at first but once you break it down a few times it’s incredible

[@jorgesanger6112]

The part where he goes something like "earth is just a rock with out the art" just something I observed but in between earth is (e)ART(h)

[@k.t.1984]

😮 that's NASTY as h!!

[@reesecup1387]

Good catch!!

[@filmneuro]

“The Earth is just a rock without the voices of art” insane phrasing. Impactful. Why did he not release this?

[@Jon155mt]

@@filmneuro My guess is the sample couldn’t get cleared when he wanted to release it

[@ivrxr8693]

My theory is that this was an early draft for Mr Morale but he abandoned it because his thoughts are more nuanced and complicated than this song shows

[@mikeyeyey8678]

@@Jon155mtthere is no sample, the entire instrumentation is original voicings. The record got leaked a few months before the album dropped, so it was scrapped

[@rockymcgee1]

That piano tho🎹🫠..I got chills and he ain't even said nothing yet🥺.

[@TriFekt]

I've been saying this for a long time. If anything we should celebrate when a deeply flawed human makes something greater than themselves, for others. That's actually a beautiful sentiment that we tarnish. It shows the best of what people are capable of.

[@Jnkillen]

This is hauntingly beautiful. If a rapper was Prince it's K-Dot

[@user-gu4nt2mj6j]

🎯💯

[@bajsunshine]

Both of them are Gemini ♊️

[@netplayfalco7307]

“Prince live through me” - Kendrick on Futures Mask off Remix

[@imagineth]

"The Earth is just a rock, without the voices of art".....whew, such a hard line. 🔥

[@leilei5693]

His creativity, intelligence, and artistry continue to amaze me. He is an incredible artist.

[@cel517]

The pulitzer prize winner

[@nkosinathigasa1312]

It's the only explanation needed man😅

[@coolpandas8375]

Is there no end to the brilliance of this man’s art? I am shook and being a fan from day one, that’s saying something. Kendrick Lamar is a gift that transcends hip hop, music and art. Bold enough to explore all facets of life with music, with a skill that’s unmatched. I have said it so many times and I’ll say it again: Please don’t compare any artist to Kendrick, it will be so unfair to the artist.

[@OLahh29]

That’s that Pulitzer Kenny spittin’

[@Ubepati]

Kendrick deserves another pulitzer prize for this song alone, I wish it had not been leaked it would've been a great addition to of Mr Morale!!!

[@zsamazinglife701]

I can’t believe I’m listening to this song and crying. I’m 51 and haven’t had a song made me tear up like this. He is truly has depths to his talent. My lord.

[@raymondsimmons2969]

It’s a beautiful song . Made me tear up too and I never do that again

[@zsamazinglife701]

@@raymondsimmons2969 Lol we out here emotional. 😭

[@raymondsimmons2969]

@@zsamazinglife701 😂 😂

[@Thesnakerox]

As an artist who is seeing art being increasingly undervalued and marginalized in favor of STEM in modern society, "Just know the Earth is just a rock without the voices of art" goes harder than you would ever believe

[@noahjnobaptiste7738]

INCASE NOBODY NOTICED…The beat is sampled off of Michael Jackson’s Earth Song

[@rasheedcole-pugh4860]

I hear it now thanks for pointing it out.

[@mbikoolestkid8857]

Wow

[@abcrx32j]

9:52 Awesome detail in production. "Speaking on changes"...Then we have a lot of chord changes right after

[@stranger2Utube]

Amazing song! Thank you for putting me on it Knox! Incredible song, great reason, brilliant analysis ❤

[@NuggetAnd]

Kendrick really went Kanye, making some legendary music just to say, "yeah let's keep this in the vault"

[@gqvenu4868]

Still cant believe they are putting superbowl in middle of kendrick lamar's concert .. cant wait.

[@TILIS214]

Lmao that’s good😂

[@gqvenu4868]

@@TILIS214 lol thnkx

[@SpaceflightExplained]

It was super nice of him to let them play sports at his GNX concert

[@Collin-sson]

😂😂that's good👏👏

[@maryo9576]

Martin Luther King will be rolling in his grave if he ever knew all the shootings going on on MLK Jr. Way. Kendrick the 🐐. Your reaction is always the greatest.

[@nathikijora8072]

I'm Young Writer that's inspired by Kendrick Lamar this guy is just beyond his peak ....he over ate of his plate

[@onGod_B92]

This is why KDot will be one of the best to ever do it… Legendary

[@flawedandnotperfect]

Hollup this is unreleased?! Excuse me? This is amazing

[@nhloniphomazibuko7910]

Every time I see this song I listen to it. I really hope Kendrick releases this one.

[@karthiks6783]

K-Dot - the GOAT 🐐♥️

[@Gogida]

As a person who prefers lyrics in a song, you make it so easier

[@greg2797]

This level of writing is why I have Kendrick above other greats like Wayne or Drake.

[@LA_ecstacy15]

NGL the piano giving father time vibes🔥🔥🔥 but so beautiful

[@thimopaulussen9207]

“When shit hits the fan, is you still a fan?”

[@tammymcclure7814]

Geez, Kendrick's brilliance knows no bounds. Salute to this king!

[@liamfox3558]

And people think Drake is genuinely a better rapper than this don.

[@tinabarrette963]

🤣

[@pdcook83]

Drake and his writers wouldn't even understand this song because it's not a club record lol​@tinabarrette963

[@nkosinathigasa1312]

😂😂😂 Kendrick is a really something else bro!😅

[@SpaceflightExplained]

The ghostwriters would be like "wow I didn't know this guy had two different birthdays" just like they butchered Mother I Sober

[@ramonajackson189]

This will be performed at Super Bowl performance. Pay attention. Theme of unity/ love/ We Not going back/ Freedom

[@m.zeemollon6378]

wild that in movies and shows, characters have flaws to make them relatable. yet in real life, it's pushed away

[@srednivashtar4762]

I haven’t given a f about the Super Bowl since the Baltimore Colts, but I will be watching halftime. Last time I did was Prince.

[@Jon155mt]

@@srednivashtar4762 And Kendrick actually performed with Prince before he died too, how wild is that

[@angyllee7247]

That Prince Performance was EVERYTHING

[@cheles116]

💜💜💜💜 A son as I heard abc, I thought of Michael Jackson. This truly is a masterpiece! MLK!

[@akiret3113]

Agreed - the instrumentation is insane, I agree. Emotionally, it puts you straight into a reflective, sentimental or melancholy mode. In a good way!

[@lisaharris5722]

“ Kendrick Brilliant “ (Period)

[@tonyarodriguez2098]

I feel the same way . We as a Culture are so lucky 😊

[@donnafreeman1571]

Kendrick Lamar is a genius.❤

[@lizl2432]

“ABC”, by The Jackson 5 was released on Feb. 24th 1970. Amazing…

[@charlahenry]

Great breakdown, its crazy listening to these tracks, Kendrick is DEEP, he's a true lyricist, in a special class of his own, either you get him or you don't, GENIUS ❤

[@datosamja1123]

insane to be this early, btw pls react to sing about me im dying of thirst or the art of peer pressure

[@evang1181]

I highly recommend Look Over Your Shoulder by busta rhymes featuring Kendrick Lamar. Simply the greatest flow and rhyme schemes I’ve ever heard. Kendrick left earth with that verse

[@whoopyrock]

I love your break down. Love from The Netherlands😊😊😊

[@AmirMujakovic-ck8fs]

Wow amazing writing. Like a well written book!

[@nathikijora8072]

This my fav song by Kendrick even though it's a leak....i listen to it on KZbin for closure n piece...I pray he release this piece of art... Thank you Mr.Knox for breaking this down now I'll always come back to this video for a clear insight ..

[@asylum1166]

Kendrick is what Nas was in the 90’s and early 2000’s until his godson album! Kendrick is the modern Illmatic, it was written, I am, lost tapes, stillmatic, and godson!! Kendrick is that to the game the past decade..

[@jmccoy822]

I learn so much more about songs because of your breakdowns. Thank you for doing this

[@silviasechi9947]

Knox Hill, I'm so happy to have found you ..I really appreciate your ability to break down video . If I may ask you a request I would like you to analyze the album Room Under The Stairs by Zayn . I love it and I'm sure you will find it really interesting, and I would love to hear your opinion . I would appreciate it very much . thanks

[@kateravalia6203]

Great request! I’ll be here for it! 👌🏽

[@jay-dee-em1000]

The beat is dope! Listen to the piano in the background. It sounds similar to MJ's song "The Lady of My Life".... connection?

[@elinathankyeyune7170]

This song walked so that meet the grahams could fly😂

[@bonniea.1941]

It does have a similar vibe. I agree.

[@TankeOG]

By the alchemist that's why

[@davidcici11Evolution]

And fly that song did 😂

[@davecopeland5437]

Feb 24 1970 was the release date for ABC. The moment his career was born

[@BIGTOE90-o7u]

2025 SUPER BOWL- NO BRAINER!

[@0007Jinx]

He's just that guy. ❤❤❤

[@tinishamack6091]

This is such a beautiful masterpiece

[@TebogoPii]

I've been waiting for you to react to this😭 This is a master piece🫱🏾‍🫲🏿

[@ayoonine]

I wish he would have given us that classic rock album, this sounds like it was meant for that.

[@fourQQ]

Imagine lil Wayne comes out at the superbowl and says " Pssssssttttttt I see dead people"

[@noahjnobaptiste7738]

That phrase…….From WAYNE’s mouth Is absolutely wow

[@zefizefi2006]

Kendrick can do absolutely no wrong! Would love to hear your reaction to Room Under The stairs (z sides), a completely different vibe but my other favourite artist. The both have incredible soul in common

[@kateravalia6203]

Great suggestion! Both incredible story tellers through their music who can make any genre their own!

[@roshnarinoj6223]

Yeah, it would be amazing to see his reaction

[@coachmullen1]

If Kendrick isn't the true GOAT, then who is? The answer is, nobody compares to Kendrick Lamar.

[@tonyarodriguez2098]

Thank You!! PREACH! AMEN 🙏

[@georgethompsonjr6082]

Nasir Jones still walks the Earth and gets active

[@SpaceflightExplained]

I don't understand the arguments against him really. He has a perfect discography. Unreleased songs (and an album full of them!) that are better than most rappers' overall peaks. Won the biggest and most popular rap beef of the last 20 years.

[@view6250]

🇺🇸🖤👑🫶🏽🫶🏽Goaded. Untouchable 🙏🏽. Pure Culture

[@michelleabraham6625]

Thanks Knox for getting this out there. I have saved this song! I've listened to this all day long at work and it touched me 😢.

[@caseylynn34]

"ABC" was actually released on February 24, 1970.

[@jadentesai]

That's quite literally what the song says

[@SpaceflightExplained]

yep we got it

[@simonnoble2345]

As a 70s soul / jazz head, that piano line sounds too familiar, maybe the sample never cleared. That aside, the theme and lyric makes drizzy sound like nursery rhymes

[@stormyskyz7881]

It wasn’t released… cause the world wasn’t ready yet…. Now we are

[@johnnaye]

I USED TO PRAY FOR TIMES LIKE THIS 🗣️🗣️

[@rogwonmusic]

If this is unreleased, how are we able to listen to it. Never understood that. This was amazing. Both of you.

[@bke8073]

My favorite line is “they tear him down and forgive me” like people can forgive Kendrick for his infidelity but pass judgement on MLK. It’s very interesting to think about.

[@killaab9]

That's not the line. It's written from the perspective of the speech. It goes, "They tear him down and forget me." Meaning should the speech be disregarded because of MLK flaws?

[@panashe5268]

@@killaab9 Exactly, just because MLK was flawed doesn’t take away from the message of his speech. Just because MJ was flawed doesn’t take away from the brilliance of his music.

[@Jon155mt]

@@bke8073 You definitely misunderstood the line, but I respect your effort to think deeper about what he’s saying.

[@jacoblane6313]

Kendrick just dropped a new song on Instagram!!

[@ms.a.r.m.3047]

This song is beautiful on so many levels. K. H. your breakdowns really are amazing you are collegiate with it.

[@kcmartinez3855]

I could watch you react to anything Kendrick

[@BluEx22329]

Yes indeed!!

[@cooljoe5820]

Thanks Knox for this one ❤

[@kateravalia6203]

Where have I been? So many new reactions for me to watch now.Thank you! If we’re allowed to request I’d love to see a reaction to Zayn’s Room Under the Stairs! Such a personal project! 🫶🏽

[@roshnarinoj6223]

It's my favorite album. I hope he will do it

[@Ken-kv3fs]

Just another W vid from Knox. Love this man keep it up

[@clgaines2006]

Masterful song

[@Nefertiti_Naya]

well done Knox Hil! you are one of my favorite reactors!

[@ninjaviewer-w2u]

Incredible, what a talent

[@ronny-ratamp2923]

K Dot💎

[@bbkintanar]

How the hell is this unreleased??? This is a fucking masterpiece

[@freddogamer110]

love the vids knox keep it up

[@brayanramirez7]

6 minutes into the video and i already love how you broke everything down and was right abt who it was, good stuff!!

[@TeeZee013]

He was probably going with this: On that date ABC from The Jackson 5 was released, insinuating Michael Jackson was born (introduced to the world) that day. If so, that's also the reason it was never released. Someone either told him or he later realised he messed up the timeline. The Jackson 5's breakthrough is tied in with ABC but more specifically with their performance of the song on American Bandstand. Which was on February 21, three days before the song was released. Technically they were introduced by Diana Ross on a TV special in October 1969, with their first single I Want You Back. However he might has switched up the events on purpose. It could be a coincidence but that particular special was ABC's Hollywood Palace Special, so it would tie in with the song ABC.

[@ConvayerBeltGirly]

No that’s the day the song came out, the verse is front the perspective of the song

[@SNT.kij1]

The reason he said February 1970 at the beginning is because the Jackson 5 debuted on TV in February 1970. Unreal artist 😅

[@jamesstevenson5655]

I appreciate you bro I ya breakdown of these classics are immaculate and I think the piano is Mike Jackson slowed and missing some things added a few things I can’t remember the name of the song but it’s definitely Mike

[@MccandlessH]

If this was released Kendrick would’ve won so many awards for it.

[@joshuamusa18]

Alchemist x Kendrick the duo we need 🔥🔥🔥

[@DanielMcLaughlin-gd8wp]

This song seem like it was made around the same time as meet the grahams

[@NightBoi2]

Fire

[@jazzhands79]

The piano sample is making me emotionally

[@swarnadewan]

Great videos man

[@johnsonaxel8784]

R.I.P. Michael Jackson!