RAP BEEF TIMELINE · 2013–2020
Kendrick Lamar vs. Big Sean
“Control,” subliminals, and the Nipsey-era reset
Kendrick Lamar’s show-stealing “Control” verse puts Big Sean inside a public contest of peers. Sean’s “No More Interviews” and “On Everything,” plus Kendrick’s DAMN.-era bars, keep the subliminal competition alive—but not as a dedicated diss-track war. Sean later says a direct conversation after Nipsey Hussle’s death cleared up the misinformation.
THE RECORD
The moments
Diss track · disputed account
“Control” turns competition into a public list
Big Sean releases “Control” with Kendrick Lamar and Jay Electronica. Kendrick’s show-stealing verse names Sean among the peers he wants to outrap, framing the threat as competitive love rather than an outright personal attack.
“I got love for you all, but I'm tryin' to murder you niggas / Tryin' to make sure your fans never heard of you niggas.”Kendrick Lamar, “Control”
▶ Listen to “Control”Diss track · disputed account
“No More Interviews” gives Sean a place to air the frustration
Years of industry whispering and perceived sneak disses sit behind Big Sean’s “No More Interviews.” He does not name Kendrick, but the record gives the long-running competitive tension a more pointed public voice.
“I ain't say nobody name, but I got fam sneak dissing me and I don't say a thing.”Big Sean, “No More Interviews”
▶ Listen to “No More Interviews”Diss track · disputed account
Kendrick’s DAMN. era keeps the speculation alive
“The Heart Part 4” includes a “Big Sean, wait” rhyme and warnings about rappers mocking Kendrick’s cadence, which listeners widely connect to Sean. The official “ELEMENT.” offers broad warnings to subliminal snipers; a 2023 leak of an alleged reference version reportedly included a direct Sean mention.
“Most of y'all throw rocks and try to hide your hand.”Kendrick Lamar, “ELEMENT.”
▶ Watch “ELEMENT.”Read the receipt ↗Diss track · disputed account
“On Everything” gives Sean another indirect answer
On DJ Khaled’s “On Everything,” Sean questions fast-rapping “savior” claims and says he is unimpressed by them. The verse is commonly read as responding to Kendrick’s run of subliminals, but neither artist identifies the other on the record.
“I'm just not impressed by you niggas rapping fast, sound like one big asthma attack.”Big Sean, “On Everything”
▶ Listen to “On Everything”Reconciliation
“Deep Reverence” records the reset
Big Sean says Nipsey Hussle’s death prompted him to reach out directly to Kendrick. On “Deep Reverence,” he calls the conflict a product of poor communication and ego; he later says Kendrick answered with appreciation and mutual respect.
“After what happened to Nipsey, I reached out to Kendrick / It wasn't even no real issues there to begin with.”Big Sean, “Deep Reverence”
▶ Listen to “Deep Reverence”Read the receipt ↗
THE RECEIPTS
Sources and listening
Big Sean feat. Kendrick Lamar & Jay Electronica — “Control” ↗Big Sean — “No More Interviews” ↗Kendrick Lamar — “The Heart Part 4” ↗Kendrick Lamar — “ELEMENT.” and the reported reference-track leak ↗DJ Khaled feat. Travis Scott, Rick Ross & Big Sean — “On Everything” ↗REVOLT — Big Sean says Kendrick Lamar reached out after “Deep Reverence” ↗ARTIST LENSES