Kendrick Lamar Calls Missy Elliott & Busta Rhymes 'Big Inspirations'

Before winning the Grammy for Best Music Video for “HUMBLE.,” Kendrick Lamar was inspired by other rappers and their imaginative visuals.

Speaking with Billboard, K-Dot revealed how he became so entranced by the videos he watched as a kid. “I think from the jump it’s always been crucial to me. You know, just being a kid watching BET, I’d be on the phone with Dave [Free] — you know my partner that does the videos with me — and we’d be watching Missy Elliott videos back in high school, and Busta Rhymes videos. They were always big inspirations,” he said.

“By the time we got to the point where we can mass produce visuals on that level, we said to each other, ‘We all in,’ and that we’ve been waiting for this moment,” he added. “So, I think it’s something that always inspired us to do it, just being a student and always appreciating somebody being willing to put full impact and full ideas not only into the songs, but when you’re watching the songs.”

Another major influence was Dave Meyers, who went from directing iconic Missy videos to teaming up with the little homies on visuals for “HUMBLE.,” “LOYALTY.,” and “All the Stars.” “Shout out to Dave Meyers, too,” King Kendrick added. “I mean, even the videos that I’m talking about we were watching back in the day, they were all his videos. Talking about Missy Elliot and things like that. Dave Meyers is that guy.”

Misdemeanor responded to the props via Twitter. “Awwww I love @kendricklamar as many do! & his creativeness,” she wrote. “I am humbled and thankful that he enjoys my videos.”

Awwww I love @kendricklamar as many do! & his creativeness I am humbled and thankful that he enjoys my videos🙏🏾 https://t.co/ZvbRmXSZmV

— Missy Elliott (@MissyElliott) February 19, 2018