Raekwon is certainly among New York's rap royalty, so it only seems right that his opinion is considered in the "King Of New York" discussion. In a recent interview, the Wu rapper weighed in on Kendrick Lamar's hot topic "Control" verse, as well as his claim of being "king" of the city.
“All I'mma say is that nigga knows he ain't the king of New York,” said Rae. “You know what I mean? The king of New York to me is in the ground and that’s B.I.G. That's the nigga that came from the bottom with it for real. And really earned that positioning in the game to be called that. I think son when he was rhyming was having fun…And he was just expressing his self. I think that that’s—you supposed to feel like that on wax. You feel me. It’s like if I come in the studio with my crew and it’s the Wu and I’m knowing in my mind I’m trying to murk the track instantly.”
The Cuban Linx rapper clarified that he has a lot of respect for K.Dot, and argued that the verse probably came "out of fun," rather than a serious attempt to seize the crown-- but made sure to emphasize that Kendrick could never rightfully take that title.
“For me, I like Lamar,” he said. “I like him. You know what I’m saying. I think he lyrical. I think he’s a good emcee. But it probably was one of those nights. He was just—he was feeling his self. So, you know it was out of fun. You feel me? It was out of fun. Only a real nigga would know that he would never go there cause he can never wear that crown. Never ever ever. If he can wear that crown imagine how my crown is looking. My crown is on some King Arthur shit…If he the king of New York, what the fuck am I? But I love him. I love his energy.”
[via]
