The Most Out-of-Control Things To Happen Because of Kendrick Lamar's "Control"

It's been a long, obnoxious week.

Image via Complex Original

What the hell happened in Kendrick Lamar this week? Umm, a whole lot. Our entire week has been dedicated to coverage of Kendrick's game changing verse on "Control." Some of the reactions and responses have been pretty typical but really, this was a news story like no other.

Kendrick's verse made irrelevant rappers relevant again, if only for a single blog post. Kendrick's verse made pop culture figures who normally never talk about rap actually, talk about rap. Kendrick's verse made Hitler lose his fucking mind! It's been a hell of week in Kendrick news so here's The Most Out of Control Things To Happen Because of Kendrick Lamar's "Control."

Phil Jackson revealed he listens to rap music.

Known as the Zen Master, Phil Jackson has been name dropped in dozens of rap songs over the years. We figured they all went over his head but to see the legendary NBA coach react to the line, “If Phil Jackson came back, still no coaching me,” goes to show just how much of a pop culture impact Kendrick had with his verse. Maybe Jackson is secretly a huge rap fan?

@kendricklamar it’s okay to be cocky and sure, but we all need somebody to lean on. Let’s just call it mentoring.

— Phil Jackson (@PhilJackson11) August 13, 2013

The best response came from Hitler.

One of the saddest things this whole ordeal made us realize is that there aren’t really any funny rappers anymore. If there were, one would just get on the mic and clown Kendrick like the way Cam’ron clowned Jay Z back when Jay was claiming he was the King of New York instead of trying to outrap Kendrick (breathe easy because that’s a lyrical exercise in futility).

But it kinda doesn’t matter because in recent years the Internet has gotten better and better at memes, GIFs, and general funny reactions to news items. So when Kendrick got the Hitler Downfall treatment, we knew the reaction had hit a critical mass and that this was definitely the best thing to come from this entire affair.

Kendrick convinced us all it was 2008 again because we bothered to listen to rappers like Papoose.

It’s 2013 people, do you really want to hear every corner spitter with a microphone and Pro Tools rap? Don’t you have things to do? Joints to roll? Remember in like 2010 when we all realized we’re better off not listening to guys who just aren’t gonna ever be more than a Blog Rapper?

Guys like Papoose had his moment and he blew it. He doesn't deserve another title shot. He just doesn't. This whole ordeal had rappers we don’t give a shit about getting in a circle like planeteers in Captain Planet reciting, “Fire! Bars! Lyrics! Real hip-hop! Rap blogs!” To which we responded saying: “When your freestyles combine, this is Rapper Struggle.”

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Lupe Fiasco rapped in German, it was awkward.

Lupe Fiasco is a great rapper when he wants to be. However, for the last few years, we’re not sure what he wants to be. When the Kendrick’s verse came out, Lupe fans turned to the Chicago rapper wondering how Lu would strike back, especially because Kendrick didn’t even mention him. Lu teased a few other tracks before offering his official rebuttal, “SLR 2.” Like most of Lupe’s recent material it was frustrating. Lu went off for parts of it, but his criticism that Kendrick isn’t lyrical enough made very little sense. He said it best himself, “It’s hard being a Lupe fan.”

Drake and J. Cole didn't respond, so someone made a video for them.

One of the reasons Kendrick’s verse is such a big deal is because rap has become a game of frenemies. Everyone is semi-cool with everyone but secretly jealous of the hottest rapper of the week. It’s like how Kendrick is supposedly going to make a mixtape with J. Cole but lets be for real, that shit is never coming out. A lot of truth is said in jest, so the only way to hear opinions that might be even close to what rappers like Drake and Cole are thinking is to watch ridiculous videos like these. Of course it’s totally over the top, but at least it admits dudes might have gotten their feelings hurt. Still, we’re holding out for J. Cole to make “Let Kendrick Down.”

TMZ tried to stir up beef, but at least they're listening to the actual music.

Like Drake, everyone needs TMZ more than they hate it. We never hate on TMZ because they provide a valuable service: They run up on rappers and ask the kind of stupid questions we’re not brave enough to ask. TMZ is obnoxious, annoying, and most of all, entertaining. However, they tend to focus on the worst parts of the culture like people getting arrested or beef. So seeing them run up on Wale to actually ask about lyrics from a rap song is quite impressive. Hey, least they’re listening.

Even Chris Hayes was tweeting about it.

Chris Hayes should have just gone ahead and done this segment. He would have totally been posted on the rap blogs, increased his Twitter followers, and then been endlessly harassed by no-name rappers who want him to feature his music, too.

Was tempted to do tonight's A block on the @kendricklamar verse on Control. http://t.co/NUA6vv1jcg

— Christopher Hayes (@chrislhayes) August 13, 2013

And of course, there were memes.

Memes like these bring a tear to our eyes. We see them like the way Wallace saw the projects, “This is me, yo, right here.”