Ice Cube has explained the intention behind his lyrics about Kendrick Lamar on his new single, "It's My Ego." On the song, Cube raps: "I was Kendrick before Kendrick/Rock & Roll Hall of Famer, like Jimi Hendrix.” Speaking about the song during an appearance on an interview with SiriusXM’s Rock the Bells Radio , Cube discussed how he views Lamar as being similar to himself.
"Just, you know, a provocative artist," Cube explained, as caught by Entertainment Weekly . "An artist that said what I felt, put it all out there, very critical of the system and the government and what we have to go through as Black people in this country. I think he's the same kind of artist: a thought-provoking artist.
I was that before he was." Read More: Ice Cube Tells Kendrick Lamar To Stay Ready Amidst Drake Battle LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 15: Rapper Kendrick Lamar (R) accepts the award for Best Rap Album for "To Pimp a Butterfly" from rapper Ice Cube onstage during The 58th GRAMMY Awards at Staples Center on February 15, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) It's not the first time Cube has praised Lamar this year.
Discussing his beef with Drake , he previously expressed his approval of the feud and declared Lamar the winner. "I approve of the beef," he said on the Big Pod with Shaq . "I always approve of rap battles.
That's the essence of the game...
As long as it doesn't get physical, 'cause that’s not rap. When it get physical, that's just street crim.