Kendrick Lamar and Drake: two titans of hip-hop, both on a meteoric rise to fame in the early 2010s. Their paths once intertwined in a collaborative friendship, only to erupt into a bitter feud that continues to this day. Let’s delve into the fascinating – and sometimes messy – history of their relationship.
The Bromance Years (2011-2012):
Kendrick Lamar, the Compton lyricist with raw storytelling, and Drake, the Toronto rapper known for smooth flows and introspective bars, were both rising stars. In 2011, American superstar Drake had already released an album, Take Care. Two did a song together — “Buried Alive Interlude.” This Drake cosigning Kendrick was crucial to his market value. In the “Buried Alive Interlude”, Lamar’s ego was on ten, detonated by the co-sign of Drizzy, rapping:
“So blame it on Mr. OVOXO/ The reason why I’m breathin’ all the vanity I know.”
The camaraderie continued. Drake invited Kendrick to open for him on his “Club Paradise Tour” in 2012, giving Kendrick valuable experience on a major stage. They subsequently teamed up on the classic “Poetic Justice,” off Kendrick’s wildly popular debut album, Good Kid, M.A.A.D. City. Drawing inspiration from a 1993 film released starring Janet Jackson and Tupac Shakur, the song is one of the first indications that the world was about to see a different side of Kendrick.
The song, “Any Time, Any Place” from Jackson is sampled in Poetic Justice, despite it being a love song with a theme of heartbreak, it became a monumental number one hit record “Poetic Justice” that forces a further one in the realm of hip-hop and one’s that celebrities often quote or is borrowed in other formats. The anthem is dazzling anecdote of what was to be the beginning of a beautiful artistic adventure, the exact antonym of what the future holds for them.
“Good Kid, M.A.A.D City,” a concept album chronicling Lamar’s experiences growing up in Compton, California, featured guest appearances from Drake alongside Dr. Dre, Jay Rock, Anna Wise, and MC Eiht.
The Turning Point (August 2013):
Things took a sharp turn in August 2013 with Kendrick’s verse on Big Sean’s track “Control.” In a braggadocious display of lyrical prowess, Kendrick seemingly threw shade at several rappers, including Drake. The infamous line,
"I got love for you all but I'm trying to murder you ns/ Trying to make sure your core fans never heard of you ns,"
sent shockwaves through the hip-hop world.
Lamar Throws Shade, Drake Feels the Heat:
The simmering tension between Kendrick Lamar and Drake had reached the boiling point, on October 13, 2013, at the BET Hip-Hop Awards cypher, the former took an obvious shot at the latter when he rapped:
“Nothing’s been the same since they dropped ‘Control’ / And tucked the sensitive rapper back in his pajama clothes”.
In his verse as a featured artist on Big Sean’s “Control,” Lamar had previously thrown down the gauntlet to other rappers, including Drake, that he would nevertheless “murder” them without exception. When he taunted the Canadian one more time with:
“Ha-ha, jokes on you / High-five, I’m bullet proof / Your shits will never penetrate / Pin the tail on the donkey, boy, you’ve been a fake”.
While Drake initially downplayed the significance of Lamar’s verse in “Control,” calling it an “ambitious thought,” tensions continued to rise. By December 2013, Drake expressed feeling “baited” by Lamar in an interview with Vibe. This suggests that Lamar’s lyrics, and potentially his overall demeanor, had gotten under Drake’s skin, setting the stage for the diss track war that would soon unfold.
October 2023: Enter the “Big Three”
It all started with a metaphorical glove tap. J. Cole linked up with Drake on a track called “First Person Shooter,” where J. Cole confidently christened himself, Drake, and Kendrick Lamar as the undisputed “Big Three” of rap. He even went a step further, comparing himself to the legendary boxer Muhammad Ali, implying he’s the undisputed G.O.A.T. (Greatest Of All Time) amongst the trio:
"J. Cole the champ, who you challengin'? / Muhammad Ali with the bars, ain't no damagin'."
March 2024: Kendrick Throws Down the Gauntlet
Fast forward to March 2024, and Kendrick Lamar dropped a lyrical bomb with his verse on Future’s song “Like That.” This verse seemed to be aimed directly at Drake and J. Cole, with lines that fired shots at their self-proclaimed “Big Three” status.
First, Kendrick referenced “First Person Shooter” with the line
"Fk sneak dissin', first person shooter, I hope they came with three switches,"
which many interpreted as a call to arms for a lyrical fight between the three rappers. Then came the haymaker:
"Motherfker the big three, n***a, it's just big me."
This line was a clear dismissal of the “Big Three” idea, suggesting Kendrick sees himself as the superior force.
But Kendrick didn’t stop there. He went on to seemingly compare his legacy to Drake and J. Cole’s, implying his work will have a longer shelf life:
"Your best work is a light pack / N***a, Prince outlived Mike Jack / N***a, bum, 'fore all your dogs get buried / That's a K with all these nines, he gon' see 'Pet Sematary.'"
J. Cole Responds (But Regrets It)
J. Cole wasn’t about to let Kendrick’s diss slide. He responded with a track called “7 Minute Drill” on his album “Might Delete Later.” This track directly addressed Kendrick’s disses, taking aim at Kendrick’s career choices and questioning his relevance in the current rap scene.
J. Cole raps,
"I got a phone call, they say that somebody dissing / You want some attention, it come with extensions"
"He still doing shows but fell off like 'The Simpsons'"
"Your first sht was classic, your last sht was tragic"
"Your second shit put n*ggas to sleep, but they gassed it"
"Your third sh*t was massive and that was your prime"
"I was trailin' right behind and I just now hit mine"
However, the story takes an interesting turn here. J. Cole later performed at Dreamville Festival and surprisingly revealed that he actually regretted “7 Minute Drill.” He called it “the lamest shit I ever did in my f**king life” and explained it just didn’t feel right. He even went a step further and removed the track from streaming services altogether.
April 2024: Drake Enters the Ring
With J. Cole seemingly stepping out, it was Drake’s turn to join the fray. In April, he dropped a diss track titled “Push Ups” where he fired back at Kendrick. Drake used playful jabs to belittle Kendrick’s status within the “Big Three” conversation, calling him a “pipsqueak” who isn’t even part of the club:
"Pipsqueak, pipe down / You ain't in no big three."
He also took shots at Kendrick’s collaborations with mainstream artists like Maroon 5 and Taylor Swift, implying they were beneath a rapper of Kendrick’s supposed stature.
Euphoria: Kendrick Unleashes Fury
On April 30th, Kendrick dropped “Euphoria,” a scathing diss track aimed at Drake. Kendrick accuses Drake of inauthenticity, questioning his artistic integrity and even his racial identity. Lines like
"You're not a rap artist, you a scam artist with the hopes of being accepted"
paint a harsh picture of Drake as a calculated manipulator.
Breaking Down the Bars
"Them super powers gettin’ neutralized...The famous actor we once knew..." - This criticizes Drake's reliance on ghostwriters and industry clout, suggesting his earlier hunger has faded.
"You’re movin’ just like a degenerate, every antic is feelin’ distasteful..." - Kendrick criticizes Drake's public persona and social media presence.
"Fabricatin’ stories on the family front..." - This hints at rumors surrounding Drake's personal life, possibly referencing the situation with his son Adonis.
"You’re not a rap artist, you a scam artist..." - The central thesis of the song: Kendrick views Drake's music as pandering and commercially driven.
6:16 in LA: Throwing Shade and Setting Traps?
Just three days later, Kendrick dropped “6:16 in LA,” another diss track. The title itself is a web of references:
- Mirroring Drake’s “time stamp” songs – A playful jab at Drake’s style.
- June 16th – Potentialの意味 (imi, meaning) – This date could reference 2Pac’s birthday (Kendrick’s is the 17th), Father’s Day (loaded considering Drake’s son), or even Kendrick’s first Toronto concert.
The lyrics hint at Kendrick having an insider within Drake’s camp, feeding him information. Lines like
"Have you ever thought that OVO is workin' for me?"
add a layer of intrigue.
The cover art, featuring a single black glove (referencing Rick Ross’s diss track on Drake) further stirs the pot. The instrumental even samples a song featuring Drake’s uncle, adding another layer of complexity.
May 3, 2024: Drake responds with third diss track, “Family Matters.”
Drake initiated the latest round with “Family Matters,” his third diss track aimed at Lamar. The song takes a vicious turn, accusing Lamar of domestic violence and infidelity. Drake even questions the paternity of one of Lamar’s children, suggesting it might belong to his business partner Dave Free. These are serious allegations, hinting at a potential dark side to Lamar’s public image. The track also includes shots at other artists, including Rick Ross, ASAP Rocky, and The Weeknd.
Lyrics Loaded with Hidden Meanings
The lyrics go beyond surface-level insults. Lines like
"You mentioned my seed, now deal with his dad" are a reference to a previous diss track by Lamar, where he mentioned Drake's son, Adonis. Drake seems to be turning the tables, suggesting Lamar address his own family issues first.
Lines referencing a “mixed queen” and “vanilla cream” are cryptic but potentially allude to Lamar’s wife and past relationships, implying infidelity and insecurities. The mention of “Bobby sh–” is a veiled reference to the tumultuous relationship between Whitney Houston and Bobby Brown, suggesting a parallel between Lamar’s own relationship.
May 3, 2024: Kendrick Lamar responds to Drake with scathing diss, “Meet the Grahams.”
Not to be outdone, Kendrick unleashed a scathing response titled “Meet the Grahams,” a direct attack on Drake’s family. The song’s title suggests a sinister message for each member of Drake’s family, potentially exposing secrets or rumors.
The most explosive allegation is that Drake has an undisclosed 11-year-old daughter, along with other unknown children. While Drake has denied this through social media, the accusation hangs heavy in the air.
Beyond Family Matters
Kendrick doesn’t stop there. He paints a dark picture of Drake’s personal life, accusing him of prescription drug addiction, comparing him to disgraced figures like Harvey Weinstein, and alleging questionable figures on his OVO Sound label.
The original cover art, featuring pills and seemingly stolen items from Drake’s father, adds another layer of controversy. The dog urinating on a fire hydrant could be a reference to a past rumor involving T.I., further fueling the flames.
May 4, 2024: Kendrick Lamar follows up with “Not Like Us.”
On May 4th, Kendrick unleashed “Not Like Us,” his fourth diss track aimed at Drake. This aggressive response came less than a day after his previous diss, “meet the grahams.” “Not Like Us” sees Kendrick taking aim at Drake’s use of Tupac and Snoop Dogg AI vocals on “Taylor Made Freestyle,” a move Kendrick views as disrespectful to West Coast hip-hop legends.
The disses don’t stop there. Kendrick throws barbs at Drake’s character, calling him a “snitch” and a “culture vulture.” Most seriously, he escalates the allegations of sexual deviancy previously leveled against Drake, this time explicitly accusing him and his associates of being pedophiles.
West Coast vs. North?
The production choices on “Not Like Us” are also noteworthy. Kendrick raps over a bouncy, hyphy-inspired beat, a genre with roots in Northern California. This musical choice can be seen as a shot at Drake’s Toronto origins, reigniting the East Coast/West Coast rivalry within hip-hop.
The YouTube thumbnail for the track further fuels the flames. It features a Google Maps screenshot of Drake’s mansion, edited to resemble a sex offender registry pinpointing a convicted offender’s residence. This visual reinforces the serious allegations Kendrick is making.
May 5, 2024: Drake drops “The Heart Part 6.”
Not one to back down, Drake dropped “The Heart Part 6” on May 5th. This track directly addresses the accusations Kendrick made on “meet the grahams” and “Not Like Us,” with Drake vigorously denying any wrongdoing.
The song title itself carries a hidden message. Drake mocks Kendrick’s long-running “The Heart” series of songs, suggesting he’s copying Drake’s tactics.
The artwork for “The Heart Part 6” also adds fuel to the fire. It features an Instagram comment by Kendrick’s collaborator Dave Free, hinting at Drake’s claim that Free had a child with Kendrick’s girlfriend, Whitney Alford. This personal attack adds another layer to the already complex feud.
The Battle Continues
On the track, Drake addresses the pedophilia accusations head-on, expressing disgust and denying them completely. He also reveals the supposed existence of an 11-year-old daughter as a hoax created to bait Kendrick.
The use of Aretha Franklin’s “Prove It” as a sample adds another layer. Drake seems to be challenging Kendrick to back up his claims with evidence.
Here’s Comes BBL Drizzy
The ongoing rap feud between Drake and Kendrick Lamar just took a hilarious turn with the release of “BBL Drizzy,” a diss beat produced by Metro Boomin. This isn’t your typical diss track though, as Metro throws shade at Drake with a playful yet pointed beat titled “BBL Drizzy,” referencing the internet’s ongoing jokes about Drake getting a Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL).
Breaking Down the Beef:
The “BBL Drizzy” beat samples a meme song created by comedian King WIllonious, which itself references the online humor surrounding people who get BBLs becoming more confident and flaunting their physiques. In 2020, memes began swirling that Drake’s reported knee surgery was actually a BBL, and the nickname “BBL Drake” was born.
Metro Boomin Flips the Script:
Metro Boomin took this internet fodder and turned it into a full-blown diss by creating a contest. Rappers could win a free beat and even a $10,000 prize for the best verse over the “BBL Drizzy” beat. This sparked a viral firestorm, with countless entries racking up millions of views, essentially turning the entire internet into a platform to playfully mock Drake.
The Lyrics Tell All:
The “BBL Drizzy” beat itself throws some serious shade. The repetitive chorus with lyrics like “BBL Drizzy” and “I’m thicker than a Snicker” are clear jabs at the rumors surrounding Drake’s appearance. The braggadocious nature of the refrain (“These yams deserve a trophy,” “Got the best BBL in history”) further fuels the playful mockery.
The Feud Goes Deeper:
While “BBL Drizzy” is the current comedic highlight, the Drake-Kendrick Lamar feud goes beyond a bootylicious beat. Reports suggest that rappers like Metro Boomin, Future, A$AP Rocky, The Weeknd, Rick Ross, and Kanye West have all seemingly sided with Kendrick.
The simmering tension between rap titans Drake and Kendrick Lamar has erupted into a full-blown feud, sending shockwaves through the music industry. What began with veiled references has escalated into a war of words, social media shade, and even vandalism.
Shots Fired (Literally and Figuratively):
The situation took a concerning turn when a security guard was shot outside Drake’s Toronto mansion. While police haven’t confirmed any connection to the ongoing feud, the timing has many speculating. Further fueling the fire, Drake’s mansion was briefly labeled as “Kendrick Lamar’s” on Google Maps, a cheeky online jab aimed at Drake’s dominance.
Social Media Shenanigans:
The online realm has become a battleground for these rappers. Kendrick Lamar’s fiancée seemingly threw shade by unfollowing him on Instagram while remaining a follower of his collaborator, Dave Free. This subtle move has fans deciphering a potential rift within Lamar’s inner circle, possibly linked to the feud.
Wikipedia Rewritten:
The ever-evolving nature of this feud is evident in the constant updates to both Drake and Lamar’s Wikipedia pages. The online encyclopedia is a battleground itself, with fans and possibly even representatives of the rappers keeping the information about the feud current. This digital documentation reflects the seriousness with which the industry is taking this clash.
OVO Takes a Hit:
The physical world hasn’t been spared either. Drake’s flagship OVO store in London was vandalized with graffiti referencing Kendrick Lamar’s song “Not Like Us.” This act of vandalism suggests the feud is spilling over from the digital world and impacting the rappers’ real-world establishments.
Monetizing the Mayhem:
In a win for content creators, rapper Kendrick Lamar reportedly removed copyright claims on his music, allowing streamers and YouTubers to react to his tracks without revenue being blocked. This move has been a boon for the reaction community, with popular streamer No Life Shaq even claiming it’s led to “life-changing money” for some creators capitalizing on the buzz.
The Legend behind Kendrick Lamar vs. Drake is a tale of friendship and understanding gone cold in the world of hip-hop. Originally brothers, the story describes their relationship from sharing concert stages and producers to a coldhearted clash, where only the artist’s pride is wounded. Years of shared friendship and mutual respect manifested in tracks such as “Buried Alive Interlude” and “Poetic Justice” turned to dust. However, the most critical point was when Kendrick wrote his “Control” verse, which is the beginning of a crack that then split the hundred. Still, individually, they did more in the world of hip-hop than most rappers, and no one can erase them from history.
