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On December 3, Kendrick Lamar announced that he would perform at a Toronto concert on June 12, 2025, as part of his Grand National Tour. The announcement comes more than a week after K-Dot released his surprise album, GNX.
In the wake of this, Drake associate and local Canadian rapper Top5 took to his Instagram Story and wrote:
“I'll respect him if he comes with no police escort...”
The post was also accompanied by a news clipping of Kendrick’s recent Toronto show announcement. As it turns out, Toronto is K-Dot’s hip-hop rival Drake’s hometown.
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Amid Top5’s unusual remark, the internet is now having diverse reactions, with many trolling the Drizzy collaborator.
For instance, Instagram user @robknowsbetter commented on DJ Akademiks post on the same by writing:
“Top5 think he Tony Soprano.”
Many people joined the conversation and shared similar reactions on X.
“I’m sure Kendrick will prioritize earning respect from Top5,” a netizen quipped.
“Bro thinks anyone cares about his respect,” one netizen wrote.
“I think Kenny and Drake fans agree that nobody is worried about this n**ga,” wrote another.
Others continued to weigh in.
“And you think the labels and the venue are dumb enough not to have escorts for one of the biggest artists in the rap game???” a person asked.
“Why don't Top5 go to LA & Compton without any police? He said he was looking for Kendrick, right?” another person wrote.
“I’ll respect him even more if he pulled up like the president…” an individual wrote.
“Don't need no escort when you bring 50-100 affiliates with you. Toronto sweet as sh*t. One of the cleanest and safest places I've ever been to. Where's all the tough talk coming from lol,” wrote another.
Neither Kendrick Lamar nor Drake has addressed the matter.
Top5 has previously threatened Kendrick Lamar more than once
This is not the first time Top5 has threatened the Compton rapper. Earlier, in October 2024, Top5, whose real name is Hassan Ali, appeared on Late Night With Liyah Mai.
“Tell him come to Toronto. Swiss cheese. I’ll get the low, put on my Nike tech black, tell YG get us a driver, put the window down, and get some fresh air,” he declared.
Ali also told the host Liyah Mai that it was “disrespectful” to ask him about the Not Like Us rapper, while sharing his view about the Kendrick-Drake rap battle.
“Drake’s a bad boy. There’s a girl right there, you want [her] to get you? Don’t disrespect my homie Drake like that,” he shared.
For those unversed, Top5 hinted at orchestrating a possible drive-by-shooting. It came only weeks after he bailed himself out of a murder charge with the help of Drake.
A month before, Top5 appeared on a live stream with Adin Ross and DJ Akademiks and warned Kendrick Lamar and his associate Metro Boomin.
“I’m looking for Metro Boomin and Kendrick Lamar. I’m doing my homework right now, I’m doing my task on them. Nothing incriminating, I’m just looking for them. I want Metro Boomin one on one. I don’t want no weapons, nothing. I’d knock him the f*ck out. Kendrick Lamar, you passed the border. Chubbs called me,” he shared at the time.
Top5 even declared that he would “quit rapping” if K-Dot went to the Toronto restaurant New Ho King “without 20 police officers.” He added how Drake’s rivals were “crazy for testing my gangsta” and wondered if people knew what happened to DJ Drama.
During the same broadcast, the Drake associate shared how 6 God and he would do a “podcast” together, where they would play the Not Like Us music video and do their “homework” on every Kendrick collaborator who appeared on it.
“We’re gonna look for them n**gas. I don’t f*ck around, play around ’bout Aubrey, that’s my bro. My Jewish brother, shalom,” he added.
Back then, Top5’s threats drew backlash from team Kendrick. One of his childhood friends Hitta J3 hit back by writing on social media, “Come find out then.” J3 also shared a video of Top5 getting “punked” in Toronto.
Everything you need to know about Kendrick Lamar’s upcoming tour
On Tuesday, Kendrick Lamar announced his North American stadium tour called the Grand National Tour along with singer-songwriter and longtime collaborator, SZA.
The tour is scheduled to begin in April 2025 and continue till June. Its only stop in Canada will be at the Rogers Center in Toronto, Ontario on June 12. The Grand National Tour will be presented by Live Nation, Kendrick Lamar’s entertainment company pgLang, and California-based record label, Top Dawg Entertainment.
Notably, this is not the first time Kendrick and SZA would be touring together. Earlier, the duo performed together for Top Dawg Entertainment’s Championship Tour, after they collaborated on the single, All the Stars.
K-Dot’s sixth studio album— GNX— which dropped last month, has two features from SZA on the tracks, Luther and Gloria. Tickets for the tour are set to go live on December 6. However, on December 4, there’s an exclusive pre-sale for Cash App card users.
