Drake–Kendrick Lamar feud

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Drake in 2017 (left) and Kendrick Lamar in 2018

The Drake–Kendrick Lamar feud is an ongoing rap feud between Canadian rapper Drake and American rapper Kendrick Lamar. The conflict escalated in March 2024 after the release of "Like That". Lamar has since been supported by Future, Metro Boomin, The Weeknd, Rihanna, ASAP Rocky, Rick Ross, Megan Thee Stallion, and Kanye West.[1][2][3][4][5] Drake has also been in feuds with Kanye West since 2018, ASAP Rocky and Rihanna since 2019, and Megan Thee Stallion since 2023. Their first collaboration was on the song "Buried Alive Interlude" from Drake's 2011 album Take Care. Lamar then took an unrelated shot at Drake and several other rappers on the 2013 song "Control" by Big Sean, claiming that he "had love" for all of them, but was trying to "murder" them. Lamar later clarified that his verse wasn’t intended to be looked at as a diss; but as friendly competition.

In 2023, J. Cole proposed on the track "First Person Shooter" from Drake's album For All the Dogs that he, Drake, and Lamar were the "Big Three" of hip hop. The conflict escalated in March 2024 when Lamar rejected Cole's proposal on the song "Like That". Cole then responded to Lamar on the diss track "7 Minute Drill" which he deleted after apologizing on stage. Drake then released the songs "Push Ups" and "Taylor Made Freestyle" in April, with the latter containing AI vocals from rappers Tupac Shakur and Snoop Dogg. "Taylor Made Freestyle" was later deleted from social media after Shakur's estate expressed its disapproval of the song and threatened Drake with legal action.

In response, Lamar released the song "Euphoria" on April 30 and later "6:16 in LA" on May 3. Drake responded with "Family Matters" on the same day, and just 20 minutes later, Lamar released another diss track, "Meet the Grahams", before releasing yet another, "Not Like Us", the following evening.

2011–2013: Background[edit]

Drake and Lamar began on favorable terms. The pair's first collaboration was seen in the form of Lamar's appearance on "Buried Alive Interlude", off of Drake's 2011 studio album Take Care.[6] Their relationship continued to develop amicably after Lamar opened for Drake alongside ASAP Rocky during Drake's 2012 Club Paradise Tour. Later that year, both Lamar and Drake also made an appearance on ASAP Rocky's "Fuckin' Problems". In 2013, Drake featured on Lamar's hit single "Poetic Justice".[7]

On August 14, 2013, Lamar took shots at Drake and several other rappers on Big Sean's "Control".[8][9] In an interview with Billboard two weeks later, Drake dismissed Lamar's verse, stating: "It just sounded like an ambitious thought to me. That's all it was. I know good and well that [Lamar]'s not murdering me, at all, in any platform".[10] In September, Drake joined Elliott Wilson's live interview series #CRWN. When prompted about the "Control" verse, Drake replied that Lamar's in-person attitude contradicted the sentiments of his "Control" verse. "I saw him five days later at the VMAs and it was all love... If it's really 'fuck everybody' then it needs to be 'fuck everybody'. It can't just be halfway".[11] In October, during the 2013 BET Hip Hop Awards' fifth cypher, Lamar rapped: "Nothing's been the same since they dropped 'Control' / And tucked a sensitive rapper back in his pajama clothes".[12] These lines were popularly interpreted as further disses toward Drake, particularly because Lamar appears to reference Drake's 2013 studio album Nothing Was the Same.[13][12] Drake later addressed Lamar's cypher verse in a December cover story for Vibe, mocking the idea of them being "buddy-buddy" and stating he "stood [his] ground" in response to "Control". Drake also praised Lamar as a "genius in his own right" and insisted there was "no real issue".[14]

2023–present: Escalation[edit]

"First Person Shooter" and "Like That"[edit]

Main articles: First Person Shooter (song) and Like That (Future, Metro Boomin and Kendrick Lamar song)

In October 2023, J. Cole suggested himself, Drake, and Lamar were part of the "Big Three" greatest rappers in modern hip-hop on Drake's "First Person Shooter". In March 2024, Lamar responded unfavorably to the 'Big Three' notion on his, Metro Boomin and Future's single, "Like That", dissing Cole and Drake whilst rhyming "motherfuck the big three, nigga, it’s just big me".[15][16] The diss prompted Cole to release a response song, "7 Minute Drill", which was deleted shortly after Cole publicly apologized onstage for the diss track.[17] Drake did not directly acknowledge "Like That" on tour, simply stating at one concert: "I got my head up high... and I know no matter what there's not another nigga on this Earth that could ever fuck with me".[18]

"Push Ups", "Champagne Moments" and "Taylor Made Freestyle"[edit]

Main articles: Push Ups (song) and Taylor Made Freestyle

On April 13, 2024, early versions of "Push Ups" were leaked online. The song served as a response to Lamar's verse on "Like That". It also dissed several people for siding against Drake after Lamar's verse came out, including Metro Boomin, Future, the Weeknd and Rick Ross. Ross responded to the leaked versions of the Push Ups diss by releasing the track "Champagne Moments" on April 15.[19][20] Drake officially released Push Ups on April 19.[21]

The same day as the official release of "Push Ups", Drake also released "Taylor Made Freestyle", another diss targeted at Lamar. The song featured AI-generated vocals imitating the rappers Tupac Shakur and Snoop Dogg.[22] Shakur's estate disapproved of the AI-generated verse and threatened Drake to pull the song from social media, citing the violation of Shakur's personality rights and the decision to diss a friend of the estate: "The unauthorized, equally dismaying use of Tupac’s voice against Kendrick Lamar ... who has given nothing but respect to Tupac and his legacy publicly and privately, compounds the insult."[23] "Taylor Made Freestyle" was subsequently taken down by Drake on April 26, 2024.[24][25]

"Euphoria" and "6:16 in LA"[edit]

Main articles: Euphoria (Kendrick Lamar song) and 6:16 in LA

On April 30, 2024, Lamar released a diss track named "Euphoria" in response to Drake.[26]

Lamar posted an Instagram reel captioned "6:16 in LA" on May 3, 2024, three days after "Euphoria", containing a new diss track,[27][28] similar to how Drake released "Taylor Made Freestyle". The title parodies Drake's "[timestamp] in [city]" songs, like "8AM in Charlotte".[29] Fans speculated that the cover references the murder trial of O.J. Simpson with a glove on the cover, alluding to the glove presented as evidence during the trial, as well as the title referencing June 16, the day of Nicole Brown Simpson's funeral, and the submission date of the case.[30]

"Family Matters" and "Meet the Grahams"[edit]

Main articles: Family Matters (song) and Meet the Grahams

On May 3, Drake released "Family Matters", a response to "Euphoria" and "6:16 in LA".[31] In the track, Drake alleges that one of Lamar's children is biologically Dave Free's and that Lamar is a domestic abuser. Additionally, when Drake posted "Family Matters" on Instagram, he also dropped a short parody remix of "Buried Alive Interlude".[32][33][34] 20 minutes later, Lamar released another diss track aimed at Drake, titled "Meet the Grahams".[35] On the track, Lamar alleges that Drake is hiding a second child (a daughter), that he is sexually attracted to minors, and that he is running a sex trafficking ring in his mansion.[36][37][38]

"Not Like Us"[edit]

Main article: Not Like Us (song)

On May 4, 2024, Lamar released "Not Like Us". In the track, Lamar alleges Drake and members of his inner circle are pedophiles. He also points out Drake's dependence on Atlanta rappers for his continued success, comparing him to a white colonizer.[39]

Reactions[edit]

In an article from The Ringer, the feud was described as the "last great rap beef."[40]

Full Song Chronology[edit]

Date Drake or Kendrick Song Title Artist Album Content Summary Lyrics (Link) Recording (Link)
2013 Kendrick Control Kendrick Lamar n/a Kendrick names Drake among peers, signaling his intent to dominate lyrically. [Lyrics](https://genius.com/Big-sean-control-lyrics) [Recording](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bhQzWbyw0VI)
2013 Drake The Language Drake Nothing Was the Same Drake dismisses vague competitors, likely responding to Kendrick's challenge. [Lyrics](https://genius.com/Drake-the-language-lyrics) [Recording](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HwokFeat9ho)
2015 Kendrick King Kunta Kendrick Lamar To Pimp a Butterfly Indirect jab at Drake about ghostwriting, emphasizing authenticity in hip-hop. [Lyrics](https://genius.com/Kendrick-lamar-king-kunta-lyrics) [Recording](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hRK7PVJFbS8)
2023 Drake First Person Shooter J Cole For All The Dogs Cole ranks Drake and Kendrick as top rappers, prompting Kendrick's response. [Lyrics](https://genius.com/Drake-first-person-shooter-lyrics) [Recording](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nnEb00FlUmI)
2023 Kendrick Like That Kendrick Lamar n/a Kendrick rejects the 'big three' label with Cole and Drake, claiming his superiority. [Lyrics](https://genius.com/Kendrick-lamar-like-that-lyrics) [Recording](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=02dpdLmpu3Q)
April 19, 2024 Drake Push Ups Drake n/a Drake underscores his resilience and dominance in the industry against Kendrick's challenges. [Lyrics](https://genius.com/Drake-push-ups-lyrics) [Recording](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-xTnPOqZ-fA)
April 30, 2024 Kendrick euphoria Kendrick Lamar n/a Direct and sharp attack on Drake’s authenticity and personal image. [Lyrics](https://genius.com/Kendrick-lamar-euphoria-lyrics) [Recording](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qra5y61zjNo)
May 3, 2024 Kendrick 6:16 in LA Kendrick Lamar n/a Continues to challenge Drake's character and contributions to hip-hop. [Lyrics](https://genius.com/Kendrick-lamar-616-in-la-lyrics) [Recording](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KYSyfP3FGmc)
May 3, 2024 Drake Family Matters Drake n/a Drake flips the script, accusing Kendrick of hypocrisy and scrutinizing his personal life. [Lyrics](https://genius.com/Drake-family-matters-lyrics) [Recording](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iIT1vJScMM0)
May 3, 2024 Kendrick Meet The Grahams Kendrick Lamar n/a Kendrick reveals personal secrets and flaws of Drake, furthering their feud. [Lyrics](https://genius.com/Kendrick-lamar-meet-the-grahams-lyrics) [Recording](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2QiFl9Dc7D0)
May 4, 2024 Kendrick Not Like Us Kendrick Lamar n/a Intense personal criticism of Drake’s character and alleged behaviors. [Lyrics](https://genius.com/Kendrick-lamar-not-like-us-lyrics) [Recording](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6eK-2OQtew)

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "What's Been Going on with Drake and Kendrick Lamar (and Several Others): A Timeline of Recent Disses". Peoplemag. Archived from the original on May 3, 2024. Retrieved May 4, 2024.
  2. ^ "A$AP Rocky Calls Out Drake in 'Show of Hands' Diss Track as He Makes Allusions to Rihanna". Peoplemag. Archived from the original on May 3, 2024. Retrieved May 4, 2024.
  3. ^ Price, Joe. "The Weeknd Appears to Shade Drake and OVO on "All to Myself": 'Thank God I Never Signed My Life Away'". Complex. Archived from the original on May 2, 2024. Retrieved May 4, 2024.
  4. ^ Rose, Jordan. "Every Rapper Potentially Feuding With Drake Right Now". Complex. Archived from the original on April 24, 2024. Retrieved May 4, 2024.
  5. ^ Nevares, Gabriel Bras (April 20, 2024). "Kanye West Disses Drake & J. Cole On Alleged "Like That" Remix Leaked By Adam22: Listen". HotNewHipHop. Archived from the original on April 26, 2024. Retrieved May 4, 2024.
  6. ^ Williams, Aaron (March 22, 2024). "Kendrick Lamar & Drake's Rap Beef: A Timeline Of Their Cold War, Which Just Started Sizzling Again". Uproxx. Archived from the original on April 23, 2024. Retrieved April 24, 2024.
  7. ^ Lamarre, Carl (March 25, 2024). "Drake & Kendrick Lamar's Rocky Relationship Explained". Billboard. Archived from the original on April 24, 2024. Retrieved April 24, 2024.
  8. ^ "Kendrick Lamar's 'Control' Verse Reintroduced A Rap God". MTV. Archived from the original on April 24, 2024. Retrieved April 24, 2024.
  9. ^ Ex, Kris (August 22, 2013). "The Blast Radius Of Kendrick Lamar's 'Control' Verse". NPR. Archived from the original on June 20, 2015. Retrieved April 24, 2024.
  10. ^ Ugwu, Reggie (August 30, 2013). "Drake's 'Nothing Was the Same': The Billboard Cover Story". Billboard. Archived from the original on April 23, 2024. Retrieved April 24, 2024.
  11. ^ "Drake On Kendrick Lamar's 'Control' Verse: 'I Lost A Little Bit Of Respect For The Sentiment'". VIBE.com. September 23, 2013. Archived from the original on April 25, 2024. Retrieved April 25, 2024.
  12. ^ a b Renshaw, David (October 3, 2013). "Kendrick Lamar hits back at Drake in BET Awards cypher". NME. Archived from the original on May 1, 2024. Retrieved May 1, 2024.
  13. ^ Ramirez, Erika (October 3, 2013). "Kendrick Lamar Subtly Disses Drake In 2013 BET Hip-Hop Awards Cypher". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 12, 2022. Retrieved May 1, 2024.
  14. ^ Griffin, Marc (April 15, 2024). "Drake Vs. Everybody: A Timeline Of The Massive Feud". VIBE. Archived from the original on May 2, 2024. Retrieved May 2, 2024.
  15. ^ Savage, Mark (April 5, 2024). "Kendrick Lamar's beef with Drake and J Cole explained". BBC News. Archived from the original on April 24, 2024. Retrieved April 24, 2024.
  16. ^ Gee, Andre (March 25, 2024). "Drake Replies to Kendrick Lamar's 'Like That' Diss -- Sort Of". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on April 24, 2024. Retrieved May 4, 2024.
  17. ^ Holpuch, Amanda (April 8, 2024). "J. Cole Apologizes for Kendrick Lamar Diss Track". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on April 24, 2024. Retrieved April 24, 2024.
  18. ^ "Drake Replies to Kendrick Lamar's 'Like That' Diss -- Sort Of". Rolling Stone. March 25, 2024. Archived from the original on April 24, 2024. Retrieved April 24, 2024.
  19. ^ Nevares, Gabriel Bras (April 13, 2024). "Rick Ross Responds To Drake: Listen To His Diss Track". HotNewHipHop. Archived from the original on April 14, 2024. Retrieved April 13, 2024.
  20. ^ "When did Rick Ross release "Champagne Moments"?". Genius.com. Archived from the original on May 5, 2024. Retrieved May 5, 2024.
  21. ^ Monroe, Jazz (April 19, 2024). "Drake Officially Releases His Kendrick Lamar Diss Response, "Push Ups"". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on April 25, 2024. Retrieved April 24, 2024.
  22. ^ Peters, Mitchell (April 20, 2024). "Drake Takes Aim at Kendrick Lamar With AI Tupac & Snoop Dogg Vocals on 'Taylor Made Freestyle' Diss Track". Billboard. Archived from the original on April 23, 2024. Retrieved April 24, 2024.
  23. ^ Donahue, Bill (April 24, 2024). "Tupac Shakur's Estate Threatens to Sue Drake Over Diss Track Featuring AI-Generated Tupac Voice". Billboard. Archived from the original on April 24, 2024. Retrieved April 25, 2024.
  24. ^ Monroe, Jazz (April 26, 2024). "Drake Takes Down Kendrick Lamar Diss After Legal Threat From 2Pac Estate". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on April 27, 2024. Retrieved April 29, 2024.
  25. ^ Blistein, Jon (April 26, 2024). "Drake Removes 'Taylor Made Freestyle' After Lawsuit Threat Over AI Tupac". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on April 27, 2024. Retrieved April 29, 2024.
  26. ^ Peters, Mitchell (April 20, 2024). "Drake Takes Aim at Kendrick Lamar With AI Tupac & Snoop Dogg Vocals on "Taylor Made Freestyle" Diss Track". Billboard. Archived from the original on April 23, 2024. Retrieved April 30, 2024.
  27. ^ "Kendrick Lamar Drops Another Drake Diss: '6:16 In L.A.'". Hot97. May 3, 2024. Archived from the original on May 3, 2024. Retrieved May 3, 2024.
  28. ^ Derrick Rossignol (May 3, 2024). "Kendrick Lamar Didn't Wait For Drake To Answer And Came Back With Another Diss Track, '6:16 In LA'". Uproxx. Archived from the original on May 3, 2024. Retrieved May 3, 2024.
  29. ^ Cowen, Trace William (May 3, 2024). "Kendrick Lamar Drops Second Drake Diss "6:16 In LA": 'Can't Toosie Slide Up Outta This One'". Complex. Archived from the original on May 3, 2024. Retrieved May 3, 2024.
  30. ^ Cummings-Grady, Mackenzie Cummings-GradyMackenzie (May 3, 2024). "Here Are the Hidden Meanings Behind Kendrick Lamar's '6:16 in LA'". XXL Mag. Archived from the original on May 4, 2024. Retrieved May 4, 2024.
  31. ^ Castro, Danilo (May 4, 2024). "Drake Unleashes On Kendrick Lamar With "Family Matters" Diss". HotNewHipHop. Archived from the original on May 4, 2024. Retrieved May 4, 2024.
  32. ^ Rose, Jordan. "Breaking Down All of Drake's Shots at Kendrick (and Half the Rap Game) on "Family Matters"". Complex. Retrieved May 5, 2024.
  33. ^ Drake – Buried Alive Interlude, Pt. 2, retrieved May 5, 2024
  34. ^ "Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved May 5, 2024.
  35. ^ Savage, Mark (May 4, 2024). "Drake and Kendrick Lamar get personal on simultaneously released diss tracks". BBC. Archived from the original on May 5, 2024. Retrieved May 5, 2024.
  36. ^ Elibert, Mark. "Kendrick Lamar Alleges Drake Is Hiding a Daughter on Explosive New Diss Track "Meet the Grahams," Drake Denies It". Complex. Archived from the original on May 4, 2024. Retrieved May 4, 2024.
  37. ^ Saponara, Michael (May 4, 2024). "Kendrick Lamar Quickly Replies to Drake With Blistering 'Meet the Grahams' Diss Track: Listen". Billboard. Archived from the original on May 4, 2024. Retrieved May 4, 2024.
  38. ^ "Kendrick Lamar Alleges That Drake Is Hiding Another Child On New Diss Track "meet the grahams"". Archived from the original on May 4, 2024. Retrieved May 4, 2024.
  39. ^ "Kendrick Lamar Doesn't Wait for Drake Response, Drops Another New Diss Song "Not Like Us"". Pitchfork. May 5, 2024. Archived from the original on May 5, 2024. Retrieved May 5, 2024.
  40. ^ Holmes, Charles (May 4, 2024). "Drake and Kendrick Lamar Is the Last Great Rap Beef. Thank God". The Ringer. Archived from the original on May 4, 2024. Retrieved May 5, 2024.
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