It was the verse heard 'round the world earlier this month. When Kendrick Lamar hopped on Big Sean's "Control" freestyle and called himself the "King of New York," it sent the industry into a frenzy.

Kendrick finally spoke to Power106LA on Big Boy’s neighborhood today—and the full interview will run tomorrow morning. He'll also be on the Hot 97 morning show with Rosenberg tomorrow, too.

On the verse itself:

"Honestly I didn't know it would be so much speculation—I just wanted to rap. If anybody knows me doing music, I wanna just rap."

On the "King of New York" lyric:

"I think that's a case where I maybe had to dumb down my lyrics just a little bit. The irony of that line is that the people that actually understood it and got it was the actual kings of New York. We've been down with them this past week, and them understanding that it's not about actually being the King of whatever coast, it's about leaving the mark as great as Biggie as great as Pac."

Listen to what he has to say below:

[via NahRight]

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