Kendrick Lamar Just Killed Complacency in Hip Hop

So...remember how Kendrick Lamar used to be the up and coming dude who was as unassuming as he was talented on the mic? Well...all that changed last night when he set the internet ablaze by calling out all of your favorite rappers. Actually, if your favorite rappers include K Dot, Nas, Jay Z, Eminem or Andre 3000, you might not have been effected by his wrath filled verse. Before I go any further, check out the offending lyrics below or fast forward to the 4:51 mark on the freestyle below...

"I heard the barbershops spittin' great debates all the time
Bout who's the best MC? Kendrick, Jigga and Nas
Eminem, Andre 3000, the rest of y'all
New ni**as just new nig**s, don't get involved
And I ain't rockin no more designer sh*t
White T’s and Nike Cortez, this is red Corvettes anonymous
I'm usually homeboys with the same ni**as I'm rhymin' wit
But this is hip hop and them ni**as should know what time it is
And that goes for Jermaine Cole, Big KRIT, Wale
Pusha T, Meek Millz, A$AP Rocky, Drake
Big Sean, Jay Electron', Tyler, Mac Miller
I got love for you all but I'm tryna murder you ni**as
Tryna make sure your core fans never heard of you ni**as
They dont wanna hear not one more noun or verb from you ni**as
What is competition? I'm tryna raise the bar high"

The part of the verse that really sticks out to me is where he calls out Big Sean and Jay Electronica who happen to be joining him on the freestyle. That tells me his barbs are more about how he strives to be the best and everyone else needs to step their game up. I know this is going to sound surprising, but Twitter didn't seem to share the same reaction. Luckily for you, NME put together a list of top tweets relating to the freestyle. Below are my three favorites...

Kendrick's verse was the rap version of accidentally sending a text to the person you're talking shit about

— ernest baker (@ernestbaker_) August 13, 2013

Rappers be lookin at Kendrick Lamar like pic.twitter.com/CEV7UoPSTE

— Grand Theft Negro (@Jonny__Cage) August 13, 2013

Heheh @BabatundeCASH LOL "@DaSpiffyCrew: Drake’s response to Kendrick Lamar’s verse 😂 pic.twitter.com/xDaWBlUr8v"

— Joseph Gichuhi (@Joegichuhi) August 13, 2013

I also got a kick out of P&P's compilation of Lupe Fiasco tweets where he pretended to write a response for all of the rappers who were singled out. All in all, I'm excited as hell that he used his talents to light a fire under Hip Hop because it's been years since anyone dared call anyone out. The only thing that died today is complacency in Hip Hop, thank you Kendrick Lamar...#Control

Big Sean ft. Kendrick Lamar & Jay Electronica – Control (HOF) Freestyle (prod by No I.D.)