Posted by Top Dawg Entertainment president Punch started off his week by sparking a debate about “superstar” rappers of this generation. Taking to Twitter on Monday (February 21), Punch asked his followers who they think are current superstars in rap following Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole, Drake and Nicki Minaj.
“I think we are really confusing a ‘superstar in rap’ with ‘a rapper we like,’” he began. “Wait… who are the current superstars in rap, post Kendrick, Cole, Drake and Nicki??? I’ve only seen maybe 3 that’s being listed that have superstar potential. It might be over for the superstar. Nothing is sustainable.”
He continued, “Superstars are based off of moments that’s last. Nothing last more than two days now. When Mike Jackson moonwalked across that stage at the motown show, that moment lasted decades. Hmmm. Is over saturation the death of the superstar? Aiight. I’m out.”
I think we are really confusing a “superstar in rap” with “a rapper we like”. I’ve only seen maybe 3 that’s being listed that have superstar potential.
— Punch TDE (@iamstillpunch) February 21, 2022
Wait… who are the current superstars in rap, post Kendrick, Cole, Drake and Nicki???
— Punch TDE (@iamstillpunch) February 21, 2022
Hmmm. Is over saturation the death of the superstar? Aiight. I’m out.
— Punch TDE (@iamstillpunch) February 22, 2022
Throughout a number of replies, Punch picked out Cardi B, Doja Cat, Lil Nas X and Megan Thee Stallion as superstars, while naming Baby Keem and Jack Harlow as potential stars for the future.
“Post meaning they are established as superstars already and will continue to be,” he explained. “Cardi is there and Doja just getting there. Doja is there. Lil Nas X is there. Possibly Baby Keem and possibly Jack if they keep going, which I’m sure they are. You don’t think Cardi and Meg are superstars in rap right now?”
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Punch also expanded on the requirements for an artist to reach “superstar” status.
“Nah I think it’s more to it [than a project with longevity],” he wrote. “Commercial success, big shows, cultural moments, charisma, traditional radio, tv etc…”
Post meaning they are established as superstars already and will continue to be. Cardi is there and Doja just getting there.
— Punch TDE (@iamstillpunch) February 22, 2022
Doja is there. Lil Nas X is there. Possibly Baby Keem and possibly Jack if they keep going, which I’m sure they are.
— Punch TDE (@iamstillpunch) February 21, 2022
You don’t think Cardi and Meg are superstars in rap right now?
— Punch TDE (@iamstillpunch) February 21, 2022
Nah I think it’s more to it. Commercial success, big shows, cultural moments, charisma, traditional radio, tv etc…
— Punch TDE (@iamstillpunch) February 21, 2022
Earlier this year, Spotify picked out Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole, Drake and Nicki Minaj as the biggest rappers of the 2010s and immortalized them with murals in each of their hometowns.