Timing is everything in this game. Within the last three months, we’ve seen powerhouse releases from all the elites in the game: J Cole, Big Sean, Future and now Drake. Instead of letting the hype and excitement from Drake’s More Life simmer down, Kendrick Lamar has boldly announced an April 7 date for his new album, and dropped the confrontational “The Heart IV.”
So who is Kendrick going at on this track? Let’s do some quick detective work.
My fans can’t wait for me to son ya punk ass and crush your whole lil shit
I’ll Big Pun ya punk ass, you a scared little bitch
Tiptoein’ around my name, nigga ya lame
And when I get at you homie don’t you just tell me you was just playin’
Oh I was just playin’ with you K-Dot, c’mon
You know a nigga rock with you, broShut the fuck up, you sound like the last nigga I know
Might end up like the last nigga I know
The second verse pulls no punches out the gate. Sure, this could be about Drake since the two have been trading subliminal shots for years and fans definitely want to see the two rap heavyweights go at it. However, Big Sean’s “No More Interviews,” which dropped last year and ridiculed Kendrick’s rhyme style, would seem to be the more likely target for most of the bars with the last two lines alluding to his Cold War with Drake.
Big Sean – “Who sound like one big asthma attack but trash when I’m rapping it back?” #NoMoreInterviews pic.twitter.com/J5Nttlb0yw
— Ismael AbduSalaam (@Ismael_BBM_NYK) October 31, 2016
Hoe, Jay Z Hall of Fame, sit your punk ass down (sit yo’ punk ass down)
So that means you ain’t bigger than rapping (what else?)
So that means no more playing the backseats (what else?)
My spot is solidified if you ask me (what else?)
My name is identified as “that king”
I’ll let y’all worry about a list, I’m on some other shit
A difference between accomplishments and astonishments
You know what time it is, ante up, this is in forever
Y’all got till April the 7th to get ya’ll shit together
Considering Sean has an album called Hall of Fame, this appears to be another obvious shot. However, Drake has exchanged a few shots with Jay Z in recent years, and this line could also function as a reminder to the OVO leader that he will never be on Hov’s level. The remaining bars, much like “Control,” serve to remind the rest of the game that Kendrick remains committed to murdering all his competition.
April 7 is going to be a fun listening experience… unless you’re one of K-Dot’s peers.
Beats, Boxing and Mayhem 