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Despite the fervor that Kendrick Lamar has stirred up this week, he is not the first rapper to place claim that he's "the King of New York." It has been a title that rappers across the spectrum have fought for since the days that The Notorious B.I.G. abdicated the throne. Created as homage to Christopher Walken's character, Frank White, from the 1990 film, King  Of New York, rappers have placed their claim to throne with various levels of legitimacy. Nas and Jay Z fought for the throne and then, 50 Cent snatched it away. Hip-Hop has been vying for the title ever since.

While few have been successors of the "Black Frank White," XXL has compiled a list of artists and rappers who have dared to claim they were the "King Of The New York" over the years.As long as hip-hop music exists, it's unlikely that rappers will ever stop staking their claim to the throne.

Rappers should beware, though. Heavy is the head that wears the crown, and not everyone has the credibility, but we salute those who have been daring enough to take the throne.

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Lyrics

"The thrill is gone, the Black Frank White/Is here to excite and throw dick to dykes" - The Notorious B.I.G. "The What" (1994)

"Scarface, King of New York, I want to be it." - The Notorious B.I.G. on "Respect" (1994)

"The king of New York! Lays his crown in the Boogie Down" - Big Punisher on"The Dream Shatter" (1998)

"There's more shit than wanting to be this King of New York shit" - Nas on "Last Real Nigga Alive" (2002)

"Let's get this shit clear lil' nigga, I run New York"  - 50 Cent on "I Run New York" - (2005)

"I'm New York's king/ I'm New York's hardest nigga" - Jadakiss on Game's "One Blood (Remix)" - (2006)

"(I will be) The King Of New York (I will be New York/Not only N.Y.C. I'm hip hop's savior (Yeah)" - Jay Z on "Kingdom Come" (2006)

"Uncle Murda coming for the motherfucking throne/Listen, you could call me the king of New York/You can't front, I'm doing my thing" - Uncle Murder On Kanye West's"Can't Tell Me Nothing (R.O.C. Remix)" (2007)

"My offense is mean/In New York, I'm the king" - Papoose on "Get Money, Stay True" (2012)

"We chillin on Mars, the kings of New York" - Ala Sole of Pro Era on "Bun N Cheese" (2012)

"I'm Makaveli's offspring/I'm the King of New York" - Kendrick Lamar on Big Sean's "Control" (2013)

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Titles

50 Cent - "I Run New York" (2005)

Jay Z - Kingdom Come (2006)

DJ Whoo Kid & 50 Cent - G-Unit Radio Vol. 7: King Of New York - (2007)

Jay Z & Kanye West -  Watch The Throne (2011)

Papoose - King Of New York - (2011)

Astro - "KONY" (2013)

Articles, Covers & Interviews

July 1995 -The Source crowns Biggie "The King Of New York

December 2001 - Nas calls Jay Z "the fake king of New York" on the "Stillmatic Freestyle"

September 2011 - Papoose gives interview with MTV that he's King Of New York

August 2012 - A$AP Mob calls Raekwon "King Of New York" on their collaboration "Underground Killaz"

 

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