Kai Cenat Thinks "Kendrick Won That Battle"

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Latto and Playboi Carti have dropped the remix and visuals for “Blick Sum.” In other news:

• Billboard Hot 100 📈

• Kendrick Lamar has Kai Cenat’s support 🤝

• Future is still in his mixtape bag 👀

• Industry Insights 🔎

Billboard Hot 100

The above chart shows Billboard’s Hot 100 ranking for this week. The Hot 100 ranks songs based on streaming activity, radio airplay audience impressions, and sales data—all measured by Luminate.

Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” along with “luther” and “tv off” are making their way up the charts as The Weeknd and Playboi Carti’s “Timeless” and Tyler, the Creator’s “Sticky” also regain popularity.

Kai Cenat is Team Kendrick Despite His Relationship With Drake

Kai Cenat has solidified his place as one of the most popular streamers today. Known for his infectious energy and unfiltered rants, he has not only attracted a loyal fanbase but also other respected figures to join him live. His guest list has been stacked so far, with Nicki Minaj, Lil Baby, 21 Savage, and more taking turns sitting in his questionably unsteady desk chair.

In an interview with Billboard, Cenat shared his come-up story and how he got to his current position. 

Before he started posting on YouTube in 2019, Cenat and his family moved to Georgia and faced struggles like living in a homeless shelter while his mom worked multiple jobs to try and improve their circumstances.

Eventually, everyone returned to New York, and Cenat enrolled at SUNY Morrisville to study business administration. He started posting skits and “Try Not to Laugh Challenges” in his dorm room before eventually connecting with fellow creator Fanum, who invited him to join the AMP (Any Means Possible) collective. From there, Cenat became not just a superstar in streaming but also a voice in the culture that people make sure to listen to.

Kai weighs in on Drake vs Kendrick beef

When it came to the beef between Drake and Kendrick, Cenat said the weekend that they posted songs “Back to Back” was “the most fun experience I’ve had” (despite the current Drizzy drama of Cenat being named in his UMG lawsuit).

Nevertheless, he knows who he thinks is the true winner. 

“I’m cool with Drake … So people would expect me to be on Drake’s side. But I’m not going to lie … Kendrick won that battle. It was good. I loved every second of it. I was just appreciating the moment. Like, bro, we got bangers right now that’s dropping back to back and everybody’s talking about them. It was definitely fire,” Cenat said. 

Fans had their fingers crossed that Cenat and Kendrick Lamar might be linking up. During a recent stream, Cenat teased that "some crazy shit happening Monday … I'ma just say … turn your TV on. That's all I'ma say. If y'all can put two and two together, if y'all don't y'all don't, if y'all do y'all do." 

It turns out that Cenat really meant that he was going to be on TV — he made a special appearance during WWE Monday Night Raw on January 27.

Disappointed fans can still look forward to the streamer potentially linking up with Ye in Japan. With his Super Bowl performance approaching, maybe K. Dot will also stop by Cenat's crib.

Future Has Even More Music OTW

In 2024, the ATL native went on a generational run. He dropped two albums with trusted producer Metro Boomin, which arguably kicked off one of the biggest beefs in rap. He then went on the WE TRUST YOU tour with Metro, stopping in cities like Houston, Vegas, and (ironically) Toronto. 

He wasn’t done yet, though — he got back into his mixtape bag and dropped MIXTAPE PLUTO to rave reviews. Now, the rapper says he has more music on the way, proving he’s still in his prime at 41 years old (for comparison, Lil Wayne is 42).

Future is continuing his mixtape run

On January 24, the rapper posted a highlight reel of himself enjoying Paris Fashion Week. He also included a clip featuring Pharrell Williams, stating that Mixtape Pluto was “the greatest shit.” However, the standout moment of the post was Future’s simple caption, saying there was a “New Tape OTW.”

Future dropped the “LOST MY DOG” visuals from MIXTAPE PLUTO on January 23. He also announced that “he is donating funds via his Freewishes Foundation to D.A.R.E.’s anti-drug educational programs” along with Epic Records.

Excitement has already been building about new music from Future after Lil Baby confirmed that there could be a collaboration project between himself, Future, and Young Thug on the horizon. Details about both of these projects have been minimal. However, here’s hoping we get both of them by the end of the year.

• Spotify and UMG are joining forces. They have announced a new deal that improves Spotify’s controversial music/audiobook bundling payment structure.

• Tyler, the Creator has reached a new milestone. CHROMAKOPIA has officially sold over 1 million units in the United States.

• Eminem isn’t pleased with this Ford dealership. He is suing a dealership in Michigan that uses “Lose Yourself” in an ad without any authorization.