Veteran rapper Reminisce has declared that in hip-hop, respect isn't earned through wealth or streaming figures but through pure lyrical prowess.

Speaking on the On The Record podcast alongside fellow rapper Vector, Reminisce weighed in on the ongoing supremacy debate between Nigerian artists Odumodublvck and Blaqbonez. He argued that true credibility in hip-hop stems from skill, not status.

“Hiphop doesn’t care about money or numbers,” he said. “You can’t buy respect in this game—you earn it through your bars and delivery.”

Citing the recent lyrical feud between American rapper Kendrick Lamar and Canadian superstar Drake, Reminisce noted that despite Drake’s commercial dominance, Lamar is widely seen as the victor—thanks to his superior technique and storytelling.

“No one cares if your album has five trillion streams,” he continued. “If you don’t have the skills, the culture won’t salute you. That’s why Kendrick won—because in hip-hop, it’s all about what you can deliver on the mic.”

The ‘Local Rappers’ hitmaker’s comments reinforce the age-old ethos that in rap, lyrical ability still reigns supreme over hype and clout.