Kendrick Lamar appeared to change the tides in Hip Hop with one verse in 2013. The Compton, California emcee didn’t drop an album this year and still managed to be named HipHopDX’s Emcee of the Year. This is yet another testament to the power of his “Control” bars, lines that made him one of the year’s most-discussed rappers. Beyond this, Kendrick Lamar also had other notable articles in 2013 and HipHopDX brings you the most-viewed Kendrick Lamar news stories of the year.
Kendrick Lamar Says He’s “Trying To Murder” Drake, J. Cole, Wale On Big Sean’s “Control”
Kendrick Lamar’s “Control” verse was one of 2013’s most explosive stories. Taking a page from Kurupt’s rhyme book, Lamar called himself the “King of New York” and caused an uproar in and out of the Empire State. Lamar also named many emcees, including J. Cole, Big K.R.I.T., Wale, Pusha T, Meek Mill, A$AP Rocky, Drake, Big Sean, Jay Electronica, Tyler, the Creator and Mac Miller. “I’ve got love for you all,” Lamar rapped on the track, “But I’m tryin’ to murder you niggas.” With one verse, Lamar seemingly had the Rap world’s attention in one hand.
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Kendrick Lamar Reportedly Disses Drake In BET Cypher
Soon after “Control” arrived, many rappers had to respond to questions about Kendrick Lamar’s verse. This was particularly true for rappers named on the track. Drake was outspoken about this, saying he “lost a little bit of respect for the sentiment of the verse.” Following this, many supposed Kendrick Lamar responded to these statements with his “BET Hip Hop Awards” cypher verse. “Nothing’s been the same since they dropped ‘Control’ / And tucked the sensitive rapper back in his pajama clothes,” Kendrick Lamar says in his cypher verse. Lamar’s “nothing’s been the same” was seen by many as a likely reference to Drake’s album title, Nothing Was The Same. The pajama reference was also believed to be regarding Drake, who was photographed wearing silk pajamas at a nightclub previously. Drake recently addressed a perceived feud with Lamar in an interview with Vibe and noted that a final resolution has yet to be made. “We haven’t seen each other [since the BET cypher], but I’m sure we’ll see each other and it’ll be cool,” Drake said. “And if it’s not, then I guess that’s how our story unfolds.”
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Listen to Kendrick Lamar’s “BET Hip Hop Awards” cypher verse.
Kendrick Lamar Describes Having Vision Of Tupac Shakur
Kendrick Lamar’s GQ cover story became a much-discussed news item when Top Dawg Entertainment’s CEO Anthony “Top Dawg” Tiffith expressed disapproval. But the article also included a memory from Kendrick Lamar, one that featured Tupac Shakur. “I was coming from a late studio session, sleeping on mom’s couch,” Kendrick Lamar says during the interview with GQ. “I’m 26 now. It wasn’t that long ago. I remember being tired, tripping from the studio, lying down, and falling into a deep sleep and seeing a vision of ‘Pac talking to me…Weirdest shit ever. I’m not huge on superstition and all that shit. That’s what made it so crazy. It can make you go nuts. Hearing somebody that you looked up to for years saying, ‘Don’t let the music die.’ Hearing it clear as day. Clear as day. Like he’s right there. Just a silhouette.”
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–Big K.R.I.T. Responds To Kendrick Lamar’s Verse On Big Sean’s “Control”
–Kanye West Resumes “Yeezus” Tour, Reschedules Dates
–Kendrick Lamar Speaks Out Against Molly
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–Kendrick Lamar Discusses Sherane’s Reaction To “good kid, m.A.A.d city”
–Papoose Says Kendrick Lamar Is A “Joke,” Disses Kanye West, Drake & Big Sean
–Kendrick Lamar Says King Los Had The Best “Control” Response
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–Kendrick Lamar Explains “Control” Lyrics, “King Of New York” Line
