“Kendrick” trended on Twitter last night and it wasn’t because Anna Kendrick released a remix of “Cups.” It was because “Control (HOF),” a seven-minute unreleased track recorded for Big Sean’s Hall of Fame, leaked and it featured a controversial Kendrick Lamar verse. The song will never actually appear on Big Sean’s album, as the samples didn’t clear, but that didn’t stop it from causing drama. “What is competition? I’m tryna raise the bar high / Who’s tryna jump and get it?” Kendrick asks, proceeding to name-check a slew of other rappers:
I’m usually homeboys with the same niggas I’m rhyming with
But this is hip-hop and them niggas should know what time it is
And that goes for Jermaine Cole, Big K.R.I.T., Wale, Pusha-T, Meek Mill, A$AP Rocky, Drake, Big Sean, Jay Electron, Tyler, Mac Miller
I got love for you all but I’m trying to murder you niggas.
Actual feud-starting or just a bunch of friendly call-outs? Seems like Kendrick’s just listing the dudes he considers to be in his league — a compliment if you’re a Kendrick fan, or just part of the popular opinion that he’s one of rap’s best at the moment.
(Start at the three-minute mark if you want to hear just Kendrick’s verse.)
