Kendrick Lamar and Drake are currently in one of the most publicised rap feuds of the last decade. A battle of scathing allegations and bruised egos, but who’s in the right?
The beef dates all the way back to 2013. Kendrick Lamar and Drake had collaborated in the past but Kendrick took a subtle jab at him on Big Sean’s “Control”.
Drake acknowledged it at the time and spoke out about it saying. “I know good and well that he’s not murdering me, at all, in any platform. So when that day presents itself, I guess we can revisit the topic.”
Over the next decade following Kendrick’s first jab at Drake, both artists grew exponentially.
Kendrick won multiple Grammys and a Pulitzer prize for his fourth album, “DAMN”. Drake also won multiple awards and quickly became the face of rap in the 2010’s.
Both artists pointed out the others flaws over the course of the decade in songs like, “King Kunta” in which Kendrick points at the fact Drake might use ghost writers.
Their relationship stayed quiet up until 2023 when Drake and J Cole made a song called “First Person Shooter”. In the song, both Cole and Drake acknowledge their status at the biggest rappers in the industry, but also put Kendrick up their with them. Calling them “The Big Three”.
This moment seemed to confirm that state of the Kendrick and Drake, they were civil and acknowledged each others successes.
“F*ck the Big Three”
Image credit: Iheart.com
Just when things seemed calm, Kendrick teamed up with Future and Metro Boomin to release the song “Like That”. During the song Kendrick makes it clear that he is the king of hip-hop with the line “Fuck the big three”.
J Cole backed down almost immediately, leaving Kendrick and Drake to fight among themselves.
Drake followed up Kendrick’s songs with two songs, “Push ups” which was directed more widely at Future and other rappers, and the track “Taylor Made Freestyle” a song that featured the AI generated voices of Tupac and Snoop Dog. This song was pulled after Drake was threatened by the Tupac estate.
In the song, Drake accuses Kendrick of being a puppet to Taylor Swift’s release schedule and has the AI’s slander him.Whilst at the same time, Drake acknowledges the allegations of pedophilia and grooming that are frequently levied against him.
It’s a confusing song that was seemingly designed to force Kendrick’s hand, and it worked.
Kendrick shot back with the diss track “Euphoria”, a six minute deconstruction of Drakes persona, pointing out Drake’s false persona and lazy writing.
Kendrick also pointed out Drakes sexism with the line “I believe you don’t like women, it’s real competition, you might pop ass with them.”
The song proves that Kendrick has a leg up on Drake when it comes to his insults and allegations. Instead of pointing out mundane things like height, Kendrick goes for the throat.
“Everyone in your team is whispering you deserve it”
Image credit: Variety.com
Only a few days later Kendrick released another diss track entitled “6:16 in LA”. The track delves deeper into the allegations already brought up in previous tracks, whilst adding that he is getting information from within Drakes record label, OVO.
The song was released on Instagram instead of Spotify, a strange change that suggests Kendrick is criticising Drake’s use of social media.
A few days later Drake finally responded with the song “Family Matters”. Drake took his time to respond and delivered with scathing allegations against Kendrick’s career.
During the song Drake alleges that Kendrick has abused his wife with the line, “When you put your hands on your girl, is it self defense ’cause she’s bigger than you.”
Only a day later Kendrick responded with the song “Meet the Grahams”. A song that reads like a well written letter to Drake and his family, bringing up Drake’s problems and illegitimate child.
Most of the allegations people talk about come from this song, Kendrick tears Drake apart with lines like “You got gamblin’ problems, drinkin’ problems, pill-poppin’ and spendin’ problems, Bad with money, whorehouse.” And, “You a body shamer, you gon’ hide them baby mamas, ain’t ya? You embarrassed of ’em, that’s not right, that ain’t how mama raised us.”
This barely scratches the surface of Kendrick’s allegations some of the worst include, Kendrick alleging Drake has an illegitimate daughter and being absent Father, Drake is allegedly hiding sexual predators within OVO, and many more.
No more than 24 hours later, Kendrick posted another song called “Not Like Us”. The song follows many of the previously discussed allegations, but doubles down on them and makes them more explicit.
Kendrick digs deeper into Drake, calling him and his crew pedophiles multiple times, with the lines “Say Drake, I hear you like ’em young” and “Certified lover boy? Certified pedophiles.” proving this.
The allegations have been non-stop and it’s likely it’ll get worse before it gets better.
“Beat your ass and hide the bible if gods watchin'”
Image credit: Billboard.com
The situation with Kendrick and Drake has been changing practically everyday and it will most likely continue to do so.
It’s hard to say who’s right, but it’s obvious who’s losing both the fight and their audiences respect.
Drake has got a lot to respond to when the time comes, he can’t hide behind the idea that everything being said is lies for much longer,
The allegations levied against Kendrick are also severe, but it’s safe to say Kendrick is far more respected than Drake currently is,
Featured image credit: Hiphopdx.com