and he told me back then that kendrick was going to be the john coltrain of hip hop.: amazing. kamasi: yeah. because kendrick is such a pure artist. that's what they have him in connection -- john coltrain's music is so pure, so untainted with the world. it's like really from a different place. kendrick is, too. he does stuff like go on tv and play the song and only play it that one time. you know, he's a real, true artist. charlie: he was magnificent at the grammys. kamasi: unbelievable. one of the most amazing performances i've ever seen. charlie: you call kendrick's album this generation's thriller. it was a big album. kamasi: yeah. it was a big album and a changing album. i think that, you know, the idea of the ultimate performer was what michael jackson kind of brings to music. i think what kendrick is doing, he's bringing the -- he's bringing, like, the expression of experience to music again. music had become michael jackson's influence had taken it to the place where it was so much about entertainment. and that's beautiful. i love being entertained. but what k