Kendrick Lamar defends Macklemore over post-Grammys apology text

Kendrick Lamar has defended fellow rapper Macklemore after the Thrift Shop hitmaker came under attack for showing fans an apology text he had sent his pal following the Grammy Awards in January (14).

The Seattle, Washington native hit headlines after sharing a screengrab of his text messages to Lamar, who had lost out on four hip-hop honors, including Best Rap Album, to Macklemore & Ryan Lewis.

His remorseful text read: "You got robbed. I wanted you to win. You should have. It's weird and it sucks that I robbed you... Anyway you know what it is. Congrats on this year and your music."

Macklemore subsequently faced a backlash from rap fans online, and was even attacked by Drake in an interview with Rolling Stone magazine, in which he branded the move "cheap".

But Lamar insists he appreciated the support and claims just being nominated for music's biggest night was an honor.

Addressing the controversy for the first time, he tells Billboard magazine, "That text surprised me, but Macklemore is a genuine dude.

"However it panned out, I wish him much success. He touched people's souls, and no one can take that away. Really, the whole Grammy moment was incredible. Not everyone gets that shot."