Kendrick Lamar Wants SZA to Win Best New Artist at VMAs

Kendrick Lamar may be nominated for the most MTV Video Music Awards this year, but he’s hoping to see SZA take home an award.

Ahead of opening tonight’s big show, the Compton MC explained why he thinks his TDE labelmate SZA is deserving of the Best New Artist Moon Person.

“I watched her slave over and over to make a masterpiece that not only represents her, but represents women all over the world,” he told MTV News. “[Ctrl] is a record where it touched so many demographics — not only just women, but men. Something that we all can feel. It touched so many different spaces and connected with so many people. There’s nothing much more I can say — she needs to win.”

K-Dot has collaborated with SZA on multiple tracks throughout her career, including “Doves in the Wind” off Ctrl. “That’s a record that I heard her vibing out with months prior to the actual album coming out,” he explained. “It’s a record that I always loved. It just had a vibe to it. I never heard a female artist come from that perspective. It’s aggressive and it’s unapologetic. It just made me feel a certain type of way where I wanted to give my perspective.”

One of the many things that attracted Kung Fu Kenny to the track was her eye-catching opening line. “Ice Cube always said from the jump, ‘The first line has to be the line that draws everyone.’ Her first line, when she played it, ‘Real ni**as do not deserve pussy.’ Come on,” he added. “That just drew me in. Her storytelling progresses, and it just lured me into writing my own verse.”

SZA is also full of praise for Kendrick, saying that he is going to sweep the VMAs. “Kendrick is going to sweep regardless,” she told USA Today. “That man needs no rooting — he will snatch all wigs, all the time.”

Kendrick isn’t the only star that SZA has lured in to work with her. In fact, Solange has also directed Solana’s video for “The Weekend,” which takes place in 10 different locations. “I love her,” said the TDE and RCA songstress. “I think the universe is just bringing us closer to each other. That’s my homegirl.”

That connection has been evident on social media, where Solange posted a video of herself celebrating “Love Galore.” “SIGH,” tweeted SZA. “I JUS WANNA HOLD HANDS N SPIN AROUND THA ROOM W CHU.”

https://twitter.com/DailySZA/status/881774227061395459

SIGH I JUS WANNA HOLD HANDS N SPIN AROUND THA ROOM W CHU🌹 https://t.co/4j0MCveDts

— SZA (@sza) July 3, 2017