In a recent interview published by HipHopDX.com, Kendrick Lamar expressed his admiration for Tech N9ne’s independent hustle after he witnessed it first-hand on the Independent Grind Tour. In the in-depth and fascinating interview, Kendrick had the following to say about the King of the Midwest (soon to be the world?)

DX: You just got off tour with Tech N9ne right?

Kendrick Lamar: Yes ma’am. That shit was retarded. I’m talking ‘bout an independent dude, with fuckin’ 4,000 people in the crowd, for days, knowing every song line for line. Fuckin’ meet and greet before the show, 300 people, $100 a pop to come see Tech N9ne and they’re all there… It just took my my thoughts of grinding to a whole ‘nother level and I mean, made me feel like, I’m not doing enough. I’m not on my shit, these dudes are doing this without no muhfucking major label push. Started from the bottom to the top, Strange Music, and I just commend Tech for just holding his own and taking his shit to the next level. The shit was just crazy, you know? It’s a lot of major cats who can’t get 4,000 people in a muhfucking spot, I mean every night! I’m talking, we were on the road, um, 48 days, 44 shows, we only got four days off, and those were by accident, nahmean? [Chuckles] So it was crazy…

We’re glad to see that Tech could have such a positive influence on such a positive and promising young talent.  Click here to read the full interview with Kendrick Lamar, who also touches on his upbringing (“good kid in a mad city”), collaborations with Dr. Dre, and much more.

Click here or watch below to see Kendrick Lamar in his “Michael Jordan” music video.  Click here to buy Kendrick’s critically acclaimed Overly Dedicated mixtape on iTunes for only $5.99.