When Kendrick Lamar included the lines “I’m the king of New York, king of the Coast, one hand, I juggle them both,” on his verse from Big Sean’s “Control,” he was referencing Kurupt’s lyrics on the 2010 cut “Get Bizy,” on which the TDE rapper was also featured.
In an interview with DJ Vlad that was published today (December 17), Kurupt revisited his lyrics and explains what he thought of the attention Kendrick’s verse generated.
“I’m important like the pope,” Kurupt says during the interview. “I’m the king of New York. I’m live from South Central. I’m a Muslim on pork.” That means I’m the fucking worst–and that’s all it meant. I’m the fucking worst.
“I’m important like the pope,” Kurupt continues. “I’m important, nigga. I’m the king of New York. His name was Frank White. You notice how since somebody from the West Coast will say they’re the king of New York, they automatically assume we’re disrespecting New York. I’m sick of that shit. We don’t have a problem with you, New York. Stop it, my nigga. King of New York is a fucking movie. It’s a fucking movie. Biggie called himself Frank-fucking-White! Who is Frank White?”
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Kurupt then says that Los Angeles rappers are satisfied with their location and do not want to represent another city.
“We don’t want your city,” he says. “Your country. Your town. We from Los Angeles. We from Compton, nigga. Watts. Inglewood, nigga. We. Are. The West. Coast.
“Why the fuck would we wanna be where you at, nigga?” Kurupt continues. “We don’t like your fucking streets. We like ours, cuz, ours. We don’t have a problem with you guys, my nigga. We don’t have a problem with y’all, cuz…We can say your name without you feeling like we’re going against you, my nigga. There is no competition. We’re family, OK? New York, Los Angeles, Detroit. We’re all family. Wisconsin. Anything in America’s our family. My big brother’s Pete Rock, OK? Raekwon, OK? It’s not always a problem.”
Big Sean’s “Control” song, which features Kendrick Lamar and Jay Electronica, was released in August 2013 and garnered attention because, among other things, Kendrick Lamar said that he is “trying to murder” a number of prominent rappers.
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“I’m usually homeboys with the same niggas I’m rhymin’ with,” Kendrick Lamar says on the song. “But this is Hip Hop and them niggas should know what time it is. That goes for Jermaine Cole, Big K.R.I.T., Wale, Pusha T, Meek Mill, A$AP Rocky, Drake, Big Sean, Jay Electron[ica], Tyler[, the Creator], Mac Miller. I got love for you all but I’m tryin’ to murder you niggas. Trying to make sure your core fans never heard of you niggas [and that] they don’t want to hear not one more noun or verb from you niggas. What is competition? I’m trying to raise the bar high.”
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For additional Kurupt coverage, watch the following DX Daily:
