Why Beyoncé Fans Are Taking Issue With Kendrick Lamar’s Cryptic ‘IV’ Message
It sure seems like Kendrick Lamar’s fourth album is on its way based on his Instagram. The Compton rapper deleted everything from his IG except one photo, which he posted Thursday morning—a photo bearing the Roman numeral for the number 4.
A post shared by Kendrick Lamar (@kendricklamar) on Mar 23, 2017 at 1:55am PDT
This would mark the third straight year Lamar has released a project, on the heels of To Pimp a Butterfly (2015) and Untitled Unmastered (2016). Naturally, most hip-hop fans were ecstatic with the news (or the appearance of news). Who wouldn’t want another Kendrick album?
Some Beyoncé fans took issue with the post, though. Four has been a prominent number throughout Beyoncé’s career. Her fourth album was titled 4 (2011), and her daughter is named Blue Ivy (as in I.V.).
Most fans’ reactions were jokes, but some seemed to actually take it seriously. The Hive is a dangerous place.
Noah fence to Kendrick but Beyoncé already invented the number 4
— Emiliano (@eialcorta23) March 23, 2017
Kendrick Lamar swear he Beyonce. Where is the hive? https://t.co/N0L1G1mJnA
— Austin Williams (@austinxwill) March 23, 2017
Why is Kendrick Lamar posting about Beyoncé’s child on Instagram? Weirdo.
— Leroy frm the atl (@iNeverChill) March 23, 2017
New Kendrick? How bout old Beyoncé. pic.twitter.com/ejzz5gE1j1
— Marcus (@Marcus_Sniffles) March 23, 2017
glad kendrick channeling his inner beyonce
— JASON BASS (@1WorldsFamous) March 23, 2017
Kendrick is right, 4 is the mot underrated Beyonce album
— ya boy (@Invisibae) March 23, 2017
You know it actually just makes more sense if Kendrick is just paying homage to one of the most slept on Beyoncé albums. He a real one. https://t.co/CtOpLJG3qF
— Jasmyn Lawson (@JasmynBeKnowing) March 23, 2017
can’t believe kendrick is covering an entire beyoncé album holy shit
— josh winters (@joshywinty) March 23, 2017
Kendrick just announced an old Beyoncé album pic.twitter.com/o3qFGCMZVa
— Bughead Is Beautiful (@OttoFernandez) March 23, 2017
Beyoncé and Kendrick will both have an album titled 4.. Queen and King ? pic.twitter.com/hpr2cPgoqy
— ? (@YeIIowbang) March 23, 2017
It’s worth noting we have no idea if Kendrick is actually going to title his album IV or if he was just sending out a heads-up that his fourth album is on its way. If it’s titled IV, OK, the Hive will probably have a legitimate complaint.
But we don’t know that yet. For the time being, everyone can settle down.
