Kendrick Lamar set the rap world on fire with his verse on Big Sean’s “Control,” where he called out the elites of rap’s new generation. Since then the rap community has been in a frenzy about the ‘King of New York’ claim and that he’s trying to ‘murder’ the competition. Since “Control” was released, there have been a myriad of responses, but the irony is that most of those involved haven’t had much to say about Lamar’s verse.
He has finally broken the silence on Power 106 with Big Boy. According to Lamar, “I didn’t know there would be so much speculation, I just want to rap.”
He also says that the ‘King of New York’ line is being misconstrued, and that the line is more about him being great like a Biggie Smalls or Tupac, not actually running a particular geographic area.
“I think it’s a case of maybe I should dumb down my lyrics just a little bit,” Lamar added. “The irony of that line is that the people who actually understood it and got it were the actual kings of New York, you know, me sitting down with them this past week, and them understanding, it’s not actually about being the king of whatever coast, it’s about leaving a mark as great as Biggie, as great as Pac.”
However he meant the “Control” verse to be conveyed, Lamar says he understands some of the responses, but not all. He wonders ‘where the cats been in a long time?’ referring to some of the rappers that seemingly came out of retirement to respond to his verse. It would have been great if he called them out by name, but he’s probably done with that for now.
Check out the entire interview below.