Kendrick Lamar did quite a bit of name-dropping in his verse for "Control," but he said there is only one person he would like to apologize to: Phil Jackson. Lamar apologized to the former Los Angeles Lakers coach for the mention following Jay Electronica's criticism of the verse.

"I still gotta speak my peace to Phil," Lamar said during an interview with Vibe, referring to New York Knicks president Jackson. "It's a beautiful thing, first of all. Second of all, I have to go back and say how big of a fan I was, and still am, of Phil. [I have been a fan of his] since the [ChicagoBulls and Lakers, so for him to actually acknowledge me in the light of music was something unexpected. I thought it was dope. But I don't want to be on Phil's bad side, so he's the only person I will apologize to [both laugh] about the line."

On "Control," Lamar rapped, "Phil Jackson came back, still no coaching me. I'm uncoachable."

Prior to his presidential role with the Knicks, Jackson served as the coach for the Bulls and Lakers.

In August 2013, Jackson responded to Lamar on Twitter, writing:

Electronica, who was also featured on the Big Sean track, shared his thoughts on K Dot's verse in April. While going in on various subjects such as artists and journalists he respects to those he does not, the New Orleans rapper took the time to answer a few questions from his followers, and things got interesting when one brave soul dared to ask who had the best verse on "Control."

Jay pretty much hung Lamar out to dry, tweeting, "me, big sean then kendrick. he really didn't say anything."

Upon its release, Lamar drew attention by naming several rappers in his verse, as noted by HipHopDX.

"I'm usually homeboys with the same niggas I'm rhymin' with," Kendrick Lamar rapped in the song. "But this is hip-hop and them niggas should know what time it is. That goes for Jermaine Cole, Big K.R.I.T., Wale, Pusha T, Meek Mill, A$AP Rocky, Drake, Big Sean, Jay Electron[ica], Tyler[, the Creator], Mac Miller. I got love for you all but I'm tryin' to murder you niggas. Trying to make sure your core fans never heard of you niggas [and that] they don't want to hear not one more noun or verb from you niggas. What is competition? I'm trying to raise the bar high."

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