Kendrick Lamar on Drake and J. Cole: 'We Support One Another'

One year after releasing his explosive “Control” verse, Kendrick Lamar shook up the Internet once again with his empowering new single “i.” In an interview with “Big Boy’s Neighborhood” on Power 106, the Compton rapper reflected on the record that changed hip-hop.

“When I went in and did the [‘Control’] verse, I thought I was just having fun,” he said. “But I see how the world took it and flipped the media. I realized it has been 10-15 years before it’s been some type of shaking up in the game.”

While he called out his peers including Drake and J. Cole, he doesn’t harbor any ill will.

“I think hip-hop is a sport, so you’re gonna have these little spits and spats,” added Kendrick. “It’s all good because personally I respect these dudes as people, so outside of that, it’s really nothing.”

“I respect their music. I respect them as individuals and creators. I think what the media tried to do is insane because they take these black young brothers and really try to clash it and make them bump heads and it’s not right. I think that’s why it’s great to really show people how we support one another.”

During his interview with Carson Daly on 97.1 AMP Radio, he spoke about sampling the Isley Brothers’ 1973 single “That Lady” on the Rahki-produced “i.”

“I was raised off the Isley Brothers,” said K-Dot. “I actually had to go to St. Louis and get the blessing from Mr. Ronald Isley himself. He gave me his blessings and you can hear him on a few ad libs in the record.”

While he wouldn’t reveal too many details, he hopes to release his new album before the year is over. “I’m hoping to push it out before 2015.”