Kendrick Lamar has finally spoken in-depth about his earth shaking “Control” verse. Before today, we just about heard from everyone on the topic except the man himself. This morning K. dot phoned into HOT97 and gave Peter Rosenberg his true feelings on his verse and the impact that it had on hip-hop. Initially, Kendrick says he wasn’t even that aware of the waves that his verse was making the culture because he was on tour in Europe. It took a few days for him fully grasp what was going on, but ultimately he says his true intentions were just to uplift hip-hop and inspire MCs. As real hip-hop head’s already knew, it wasn’t a personal attack on New York or any of the Big Apple’s rap kings (dead or alive). He even names Los’ response as his favorite, and noted Joe Budden, Joell Ortiz, Joey Badass and even Papoose (He’s says Pap made him laugh and he would done the same thing years ago) and Kevin Hart’s responses as some of his favorite. Interestingly enough, he also cites Maino’s interview response as the one that really touched him and made him look in the mirror and reevaluate radio’s role in his career. He says Maino’s words made him remember how it was the people’s support that made him a star, not radio.

Peter Rosenberg: Did you hear from any of the artists that you mentioned and were you worried that it could affect relationships?

Kendrick: I didn’t hear from nobody. But I wasn’t worried about it affecting relationships. At the end of the day, if you listen to the line these are the cats that I feel like inspire the game. They inspire to be the best like I how I inspire to be the best. They’re competitive, they respect the culture I don’t feel like there should be some time of ill-feel toward it.

Read more quotes and listen to the full interview after the jump…

On Replacing his name for Biggie’s in the “Biggie, Jay Z and Nas” line.

It made me go back in and feel like I gotta probably dumb down my lyrics nowadays for the people that take it way out of context the way that they did. The irony behind it all is … the ones to really understood context of the line is the kings of New York that I met with this week. The cats that I’ve sat down with this past week. It’s not about what coast, it’s not about what side we on. It’s about being as great as Biggie and Pac, the two cats that I reference from jump. I feel like I’m a student. I’m a student of the work they did. Eventually when I put down my 20 years in the game I can eventually plant my foot and have that same type my legacy. But for people who are trying to make it something that it’s not, I would never try to take the history from what Pac and BIG laid. And, to keep it 100 with you, Snoop will always be number 1.

Listen to the full interview after the jump…

What Jay Z and Puff said to him after:

That’s classified between me and him, but it was all love and respect. Same way with Diddy and a few other cats. At the end of the day, I feel as though you got certain cats that really want to take it to the next level and make it a rivalry thing, that’s old school homey. I’m a Black man out here trying to uplift the culture. My first sold out show was in New York, so I always looked at that place as a place that respected me and my lyrics. I think the ones that took it out of context where the people that want to grab an opportunity off of the hype of the record rather than actually tuning in and listening and knowing how hungry I am. A lot of people think it’s about talent, that’s where they get it wrong. I’m saying I’m the most hungriest in this. I respect the legends in the game, people that done it before me, people that lost their lives over this. So because of what they laid down I’m a try go harder. Breathe it. Live it. That’s the point of the whole verse, what I was trying to convey through that verse. All that ignorance behind it, you can kill all that noise. It’ll never be like that again where two coasts have a rivalry. Not on my behalf, not while I’m doing it. And I think the OGs would want that anyways, that competitive nature back and no bloodshed over it. I’m way too wise and way too polished to get caught up in the hype and media. But what I’m scared of is cats that’s not that polished and they get caught up in what they Twitter responses is saying and homies around them is saying, and people trying to gas em up, and then want to take it to the next level. Nah, that’s not G, that’s not gangsta.

On Papoose’s personal diss:

I thought it was comical if anything. It had me laughing but not only that I respect the game. I understand when opportunity presents itself , you gotta make a way for yourself. That was the perfect opportunity to go out there and make a response and get that buzz. And he got that buzz going for himself. At the end of the day I wanna see everybody eat. Ain’t no ill will. It’s all love. It had me cracking up.

Related:
Kendrick Lamar Breaks Silence Over His “Control” Verse
New Music: Papoose “Control (Freestyle)” (Kendrick Lamar Response)
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The Mad Rapper Responds to Kendrick Lamar’s “Control” Verse: Who He Is Dissing?
Fabolous On (Not) Responding to Kendrick Lamar: “You Might Hear Something Eventually”