Cassidy is the latest rapper to respond to Kendrick Lamar’s verse on Big Sean’s “Control.” The Philadelphia, Pennsylvania rapper spoke with HipHopDX shortly after releasing his “Control Freestyle” today (August 14). During the interview, Cassidy explained what he thought when he first heard Kendrick Lamar’s verse.
“I got excited,” Cassidy said in an exclusive interview with HipHopDX. “I was happy when I heard, you know, Kendrick Lamar had the heart to say the things that he said or do the things that he did because I’m a pure Hip Hop head. I can vibe off with certain rappers, but I’m really Hip Hop. I started off, you know, battling and being in thousands of cyphers and running the streets and just rapping is what I do. You know what I’m saying. I didn’t get in the game to be successful or to wear jewelry and drive cars. I got in the game because I really love Hip Hop.”
Cassidy has seen the tides of lyricism change in recent times, he said.
“I knew the game was turning around anyways,” he said. “You see a lot of these artists that…see people get it confused. They might hear a certain artists on the radio or see a video and they might think they winning but when you look at record sales, the artist that’s not really being lyrical, they not winning, like, right at this present moment. And the artists that are trying to be more lyrical and come up with original ideas and go in their own lane, they selling more. And they winning more. So I seen that the climate was changing and that people was ready to hear lyrics and bars. But with Kendrick doing what he did, he gave them a bridge to walk over to feel comfortable with saying that they ready to hear bars, and Hip Hop is back, and they ready to take it back to people being more competitive ’cause that’s how the game started. So, I’m happy that he did that, you know, opened up the door for not just me or him, but a bunch of other rappers in the world to just start focusing again. Start focusing with coming up with crazy bars and being competitive and everybody not being so buddy-buddy, like everybody in one relationship and everybody all kissing and hugging. Nah! In this rap game, even if you are friends with someone you still supposed to be competitive. Like, Kendrick said, you are supposed to get on track with somebody and try to shine over them, try to have a better verse. You are always supposed to try to always do your thing, no matter what. That’s what I feel is lacking in the game right now. So, that’s the reason why I had to jump on the track and do what I did to let people know that I’m in the same lane.”
Cassidy Explains “Kendrick Couldn’t Shine On Me” Line
Though he says that he is in the same lane as Kendrick Lamar, his “Control” freestyle took a shot at the Top Dawg Entertainment emcee.
“Nobody better,” Cassidy says on the song. “I do whatever I wanna do and since you’re scared to come at me I’ma come at you. What the fuck is the game coming to? Kendrick couldn’t shine on me on a song if he wanted to.”
When asked about the line, Cassidy addressed his stance.
“Yeah, I feel like that not just with Kendrick but with anybody,” Cassidy said to HipHopDX. “I done been on songs with legends, like, some of the best that ever did it, and I feel like they couldn’t shine on me on a song. Every time I jump on a song with somebody, I’m going to try to show my ass. I’m going to try to do my thing and I don’t want nobody to feel like they gon’ get on a song with me and shine over me. You’re going to always have to bring your best and I’m always going to bring my best and it’s going to be what it’s going to be. So it’s not just directed at Kendrick but because he said that, he’s trying to shine over the artists that he named in his song, I’m just letting people know that even if he did have that mentality and he wanted to shine over me, he still couldn’t because I’ma be on my A-game and this is what I do, nothing but bars and nothing but punch lines. I was waiting for the game to make this turnaround and focus back on the bars so that artists like me and artists that’s kind of in the same lane as me could get the opportunity to shine and be crazy relevant again.”
Cassidy Says He Respects Kendrick Lamar’s “Heart”
Cassidy also said that he has respect for Kendrick Lamar. “Oh yeah, without a question,” the Philadelphia rapper said. “Even if you heard the song like I did, I did a song called ‘Face to Face.’ I did a song called ‘It Is What It Is,’ and even on the song ‘The Problem,’ I was naming a lot of artists and mentioning artists that’s cool with me and then other artists that I don’t like or artists that I would want to see battle each other. So I been doing stuff like that. You know what I’m saying? ‘The Problem’ was on my first album and I did songs like that. So I can relate. You know what I’m saying? It’s not like a totally new idea but being that the fact that the timing is different, a lot of people that listen music right now can’t even remember or wasn’t even around when I was doing that. But being to the fact that he did it right now, where the game is at, I felt as though it was definitely a brave move and I respect it. Like, you got to have some nuts to be able to say some of things that he said in his verse. Just anybody wouldn’t even have had the balls to do that. So I respect him on that level for having heart.”
By releasing the freestyle, Cassidy says he has also allowed others to continue talking about his work.
“You go on Twitter right now and see there’s thousands and thousands and thousands of people that’s like, ‘Cassidy the best, Cassidy the best,'” he said. “And that’s all that I do it for. It’s the cats that fuck with my music. I just want to show them that I’m going to always go hard and try to hold it down and I’m not going to back down and people like that attitude.
“That’s why they so excited right now,” Cassidy continued. “They like to see rappers with that attitude like, ‘Yo, I’m the best. I aint backin’ down and ain’t nobody better than me.’ You used to always see people back in the day like, ‘I’m the dopest, you sucka emcees.’ They used to have that mentality like, ‘I’m the best,’ and that’s what used to get you excited. It’s the same thing with wrestling. Like, wrestling is completely fake. You know wrestling is completely fake but just seeing them with that competitive attitude, you trying to figure out who is going to win the wrestling match. It’s what keeps people still watching wrestling to this day. With boxing and UFC, you would rather see a fighter say, “He can’t beat me. I’m going to knock him out. I’m going to do this. I’m going to do that.’ You’d rather see that mentality as opposed to them looking scared or saying, ‘Oh, I’m just going to go out and fight. I don’t know how it’s going to turn out.’ You don’t want to see that. The fans like to see the same thing with rappers. They like to hear rappers say, ‘I’m the best.’ Be cocky, but also be able to back it up, and when it’s time to back it up, they ready. They like that. And I like that too.”
Cassidy’s Split Personality was released in 2004 and it was followed by 2005’s I’m A Hustla and 2007’s B.A.R.S. (The Barry Adrian Reese Story). All three albums were released on J Records, the rapper’s home for three years. In 2008, Cassidy released Back to the Problem via Amalgam. Cass is currenly working on a new mixtape and album and says neither project has an official title yet.
RELATED: Cassidy “Control Freestyle (Kendrick Lamar Diss)” [AUDIO]
Good read. I couldn’t agree more with everything he said. Competition brings out the best in people. We don’t need people getting shot but a little lyrical competition is exactly what is missing right now. This reflects the younger generation. They are soft.
Ahaha Cassidy you light-skinned wannabe JCole
All disrespect to cole too
The fuck uuuuu talkin about? Couple things….Cassidy is nothing like J Cole and 2, Cas would give it to J in a battle. FOH with that dumb shit.
yo fag wat do u knw abut Rap/hiphop, Cass the best never judge b4 doing some ground chk nicca/ Amigo wateva tha f u r..p******
thank you cassidy!!!
cassidy has a proven pen game and battle record.
his control verse is pretty dope, too.
he might need to say “levels””redbottoms”, “swag”, “versace”, or whatever else to get the new era of fans to listen.
His pen game has dried up lol
cas aint fuckin wit j cole r kendrick straight up
everybody is entitled to their opinion .
You’re obviously under 30 y.o.
Search: RigaMortician on SoundCloud. Response to Kendrick Lamar’s Control verse. This niggas ill and the track has that battle feel.
JChrioni RigaMortician SoundCloud
Repsonse to Kendrick’s Control Verse
On Kendrick’s Rigamortis beat. Night Night Kendrick. All love, though.
Great response, Cassidy.
so cassidy say his statement and y’all people praise him an be on his dick an shit… but I just read Iggy statement and it’s “fuck you bitch, die bitch, suck dick an go twerk hoe”… y’all ain’t shit forreal !
LOL @ Iggy. Gtfo with your bullshit fanboyism of that talentless clown. Get fucked, kid.
why would a dude wanna show his arse on a another song with a guy
Cassidy is not to be fucked with
cassidy we need new product
Cassidy’s was dope. DUDE HAS BEEN HAUNTING ME TO WRITE ABOUT HIS NEW SONG. THIS HAS BEEN ONE OF THE BEST KENDRICK LAMAR RESPONSES THUS FAR http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oSLcHUfb_gw
Respects his heart??? Rappers have BEEN dissing each other, but for some reason when others do it, people say “diss songs are played out” or “he’s just looking for attention”. Game for example came out with a song called ‘Uncle Otis’ a few years ago going at everyone from Jay-Z to Rick Ross to Big Sean and a bunch of other people who were hot at the time. When he put out that song everyone talked shit about it and got mad…Now Kendrick is doing the same thing and he’s some how a “genius” with “heart” who’s “trying to revive hiphop”. It’s not just Game either, rappers talk about how they’re better then other rappers and diss each other all the time, yet you complain. I don’t know what it is about this little dude Kendrick that has people dick licking him like this. Maybe it feels good to root for him because he’s the little, hipster, nerdy, underdog, looking dude. I’m not impressed.
Maybe it’s because he showed love when he did it and not blind hate. The others came off critical without giving any credit; Kendrick showed love… that’s why.
Kendrick >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>[…] Game.
LOS response>Joel Ortiz response>Cassidy Response>Lupe Response>BOB
tired of this lamar dude hes doing the same shit thats been done years ago anyway what makes this kid special anyway hes not dope to me stackbundles all day and hes dead cass will eat this kid fuck lamar
man eat your moms pussy and shut the fuck up
What’s up with this Kendrick Lamar love letter? Cassidy ripped that kid to shreds but now talking about how he respects him. Nah kid…this is lyrical war right now.
True that bruh
ripped to shreds? Cass didn’t even diss him lol
it is very interesting that ONE k dot verse can give hip hop an adrenaline shot. Who would have guessed that a west coast rapper saying he is the “king of NY” would get everyone so upset.
I think it is great for hip hop and great for K Dot. K Dot put a target on his back, a good rapper wants that though.
The Cassidy track is tight, but not better than Lupe response.
1. Lupe
2. Joel Ortiz
3. Cassidy
4.
5.
6.
7. B.O.B.
Lupe’s verse was wack.. the Hitler impression WTF? And he didn’t even go at Kendrick.. Lupe fell off.
You seems a piece of shit “Foreal” You are not GOD youre just the most high when you smoke weed… Battle rap demands point of views and punch lines and bars idiot like you would rate cassidysline as 3rd ?
here you go
1. Cassidy
2. Joel Ortiz
3. B.O.B.
4.
5.
6.
7. Lupe
Love from Brazil, brasilia
Cassidy rep em all men
As we russians say DA KOMU TI NUZHEN,Cassidy
Cassidy is a beast on the mic
No. He looks like a beast who you’d throw peanuts to at the zoo.
Cass – he handled it the proper way and wasn’t emotional
Los – On point, but a little unpolished.
Joel Ortiz – hot verse, but not relative & over emotional
Ransom -On point, tight verses, but too indirect and unfocused
Lupe – Nice, but didn’t measure up
Everybody else are just journeymen.
You didn’t really understand what Lupe said/was doing did you?
Kendrick’s point still stands strong, all of these rappers had a chance to top his verse, but nobody did.
Joel ortiz murdered the young boy. The fuck outta here.
He better be careful what he wishes for. From here on out artists are going to come in on Kendrick with the sole purpose of making him look bad. No way he has what it takes in that sleepy arsenal of his to shine over every star rapper. He might defeat a few, but he’ll get his ass handed to him many more times over.
By who? lol
In all fairness, kendrick had more time tho. besides, while ppl takin the challenge as the track itself, the point was larger than a single response but rather the tone of the game itself.
Remove your mouth from Kendrick’s dick, Cassidy. All that slurping is bound to give you chronic brain freeze.
OK. The more yall keep thinking this is a diss, the more you guys keep getting mad. First off, it’s not a disk he went to the mic and said let’s play a everyman for himself, he said he heard debates, he trying to raise the bar, its competition. Not I got more girls at the club, and you sitting at home wondering where ya girl is. Anybody can say that, but where the skills at, the style, who got the best flow.
what heart? nigga called the name of people he cool with: asap rocky and tyler the creator? really. Plus his verse wasn’t hurt jay elecs verse was better.
^ People like this guy smh
dj vlad says he got his hands on some new 2PAC
dj vlad says he got some new 2PAC joints
on a mixtape dvd hows vlad putting it out
8 new tracks
https://soundcloud.com/critikallyacclaimed/control-c-mix-kendrick?utm_source=soundcloud&utm_campaign=share&utm_medium=facebook
Peep my response, I feel this shit better then JR Writer, Mickey Factz, BoB. I can’t fux with Cass or joell just yet but im rollin.
Leave a comment and lemme know whats good.
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this dude happy cuz he found a reason to come up from underneath the rocks! All kiddin aside tho I always liked cassidy as a rapper, I dont know what happened or his situation but he shoulda just kept on rapping. Some people dont chance or if they change it’s not by much. Just look at jay z and fabulous
With all respect, Cass style is starting to sound dated. I fux w/ him though.
This OTHER nigga, tho. Murked KDot on his own shit:
Search: JChrioni Rigamortician SoundCloud
Ripped Kendrick’s Rigamortis beat while responding to his “Control” verse…
lets see lamar step in the booth with a REAL mc like tyler or earl!
#GOLF WANG!
When Kendrick said he was the King of NY and was 2pacs offspring..
He is just referring to every rapper these days Claims to be “The King of NewYork” or “2pacs back” or “The new Pac” how did people not get this?
Hes laughing at all these people with no Lyrics just saying “They are now the self Proclaimed best”
“I dont smokecrack mo fu*ker i sell it” he’s taking shots at all these rick ross 2 chainz stripper songs.
Everyone claims to be the king of newyork now its ridiculous. And Kendrick is showing them how stupid it. Anyone can say it well fuck in im from LA but im the king too.
I agree with you man. I don’t really think he was tryin to diss anybody. He was bein competitive, like Cass sayin..
I really hope Hip-Hop back tho.
He was saying he is the king of both coast therefor the land between them is his. He runs the U.S.
Also the King of New York line was a qoute
ADKOB – LUNG CAPACITY….. YOUTUBE IT
HE COPED SO MUCH DEUCES!!!!!
Give up nigga you done so let the new king shines.
I think you meant to say shine its singular not plural. Either you can’t type or you have really poor grammar. Go read a book young buck
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anonymous you can fuck your sister you stupid incested kid your mom fucked your brother dirty bitch