There was certainly a lot to process on the first listen of Kendrick Lamar's To Pimp A Butterfly, but one very immediate lines came in "Hood Politics," where K-Dot rapped "Critics want to mention that they miss when Hip-Hop was rappin’/ Motherfucker if you did, then Killer Mike’d be platinum”.
Mike was quick to give thanks for the nod on social media, but in a new interview with MTV, he was able to share further details on his feelings when he heard the song for the first time, comparing the scenario to a basketball player getting a compliment from Michael Jordan.
“I felt like when a professional ballplayer compliments another professional ballplayer. That is a compliment; no one can understand how truly dope that is unless you’re a ballplayer,” he said. “Unless you stepped on the court and laced up your shoes and had to play against Jordan you don’t understand what a compliment it is when Jordan says, ‘Yeah, I like that guy, he’s one of those ones.'”
For Mike, it was confirmation that Kendrick was listening to his music. “It was an honor. I’m a big fan of Kendrick. I didn’t know he listened to me, I suspected maybe he did," he shared. "I’m glad it was confirmed in such a huge and complimentary way. I just want to thank him.”
Watch the full interview below.