"I have a mad crush on him": Courtney Love gushes over Kendrick Lamar, reveals desire to collaborate with him

Singer Courtney Love recently revealed she had a "mad crush" on Kendrick Lamar. While discussing artists she would like to collaborate with during her interview with The Standard published on Tuesday, November 26, 2024, the Stripsearch hitmaker gushed about the Compton rapper, saying:

"I would love to work with Kendrick Lamar. I have a mad crush on him."

Love's comments come just a day after K. Dot dropped his sixth studio album, GNX, on Friday, November 22 (through pgLang and Interscope). The project, comprising 12 tracks, was a follow-up to Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers (2022). The album was a surprise release, preceded by a one-minute trailer that dropped 30 minutes before the project.

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"He’s undoubtedly the best hip-hop writer ever" —Courtney Love calls Kendrick Lamar a "genius"

In her interview, Courtney Love (Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain's widow) discussed her recent collaboration with 070 Shake (a.k.a. Danielle Balbuena) — Song to the Siren from the latter's album Petrichor. Love called Balbuena "a purist and a queen."

She also named musicians like rappers Stormzy and Doja Cat, whom she hoped to work with in the future. This also included Kendrick Lamar. Addressing Lamar, she stated:

"If you’re reading this — did you listen to Leonard Cohen or Bowie growing up? Because it sounds like it! Plus, political-era Bob Dylan? Dude... seriously... he’s a genius."

Love continued:

"He’s undoubtedly the best hip-hop writer ever; his flow is beautiful and his lyrics thoughtful."

However, she also confessed that she felt uncertain about combining her rock and grunge with K. Dot's rap. She alluded that they might feel "awkward," but added the success of the music genre "depends on the producer."

Courtney is not the only one praising Lamar. In September, it was announced that the Compton-born artist would headline the 2025 Super Bowl Halftime Show.

At the time, Jay-Z, owner of Roc Nation, which works with the NFL to select the halftime show performers, called Kendrick "a once-in-a-generation artist and performer." He stated that Lamar's work "transcends music" and would impact the industry for "years to come."

Upon its release, GNX was met with critical acclaim. In his review, Mosi Reeves of Rolling Stone wrote, "Lamar is the GOAT of 2024." While Karl Blakesley of Clash remarked that the project was "another significant addition to Kendrick’s flawless discography." The album topped the charts in several countries, including Australia and the U.K.

Lamar's last album, Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers, too, received similar reviews. At the time, The Independent’s Ben Bryant called Kendrick Lamar the "defining poet of his generation."

Additionally, he scored two No. 1 singles on the Billboard Hot 100 - Like That (with Future and Metro Boomin) and Not Like Us. The latter song stemmed from Kendrick Lamar's high-profile rap beef with Drake. The feud saw both artists dropping diss track after another targeting the other's career and private life. Critics believe Not Like Us won Lamar the beef.

GNX is currently available to stream on Spotify, Apple Music, and other music streaming platforms.