Kendrick Lamar and Drake, two titans of the rap industry, are embroiled in a decade-long feud that has captivated fans and industry insiders alike. This ongoing battle reached new heights recently as Kendrick Lamar's legal team accused Drake's record label of orchestrating a campaign to create a viral hit from a song that allegedly targeted Drake. The feud has seen a series of musical exchanges, public performances, and legal maneuvers that underscore the intensity of their rivalry.
Kendrick Lamar's performance at the Super Bowl, widely regarded as a triumph, marked a significant moment in this feud. The performance was seen as a victory lap after he delivered a decisive blow to Drake in their ongoing conflict. Following the Super Bowl, Lamar released a follow-up song titled "6:16 in LA," which further stoked the fires of their rivalry. In response, Drake dropped a track called "Family Matters," escalating the feud to unprecedented levels.
The animosity between these two artists has also played out on streaming platforms. Lamar's track "Not Like Us" became a massive summer hit, garnering 21 million streams within just three days of its release. Adding fuel to the fire, Drake publicly responded to Lamar's accusations by addressing claims about a "hidden daughter," dismissing them as baseless and calling Lamar's narrative a "shambles."
Lamar's use of cutting-edge technology added another dimension to this feud. He employed artificial intelligence to deliver scathing insults in the voices of iconic rappers Tupac Shakur and Snoop Dogg in his diss track. Meanwhile, Drake didn't shy away from confrontation during his Florida concert, where his focus remained squarely on Lamar.
The feud intensified when Kendrick Lamar unleashed a full six-minute riposte, which prompted an immediate reaction from Drake. A day later, Drake vehemently denied the accusations and challenged Lamar to produce evidence. Universal Music Group, representing Drake, dismissed the claims as "illogical" and unfounded.
"Throughout his career, Drake has intentionally and successfully used UMG to distribute his music and poetry to engage in conventionally outrageous back-and-forth 'rap battles' to express his feelings about other artists." – Universal Music Group
"He now seeks to weaponise the legal process to silence an artist's creative expression and to seek damages from [Universal]." – Universal Music Group
Kendrick Lamar did not relent; he played his most powerful diss track five times during a star-studded event in Los Angeles. This public display further entrenched his position in the ongoing dispute. The feud has also drawn other major figures in the hip-hop scene into its orbit, including Kanye West and Rick Ross, who have both weighed in on the ongoing conflict.
As Kendrick Lamar prepares for a joint UK and Europe stadium tour with fellow artist SZA, fans eagerly anticipate how this rivalry will continue to unfold. The tour will include stops in Glasgow, Birmingham, London, and Cardiff starting in July.
"[Forget] the big three – it's just big me." – Kendrick Lamar
"I know that no matter what, it's not a [person] on this earth that could ever [expletive] with me in my life!" – Drake
The lyrical exchanges between Lamar and Drake have been marked by sharp wit and biting commentary. In one of his tracks, Lamar taunts Drake:
"Say, Drake, I hear you like 'em young / Tryna strike a chord and it's probably A minor." – Kendrick Lamar
Drake responded with his own barbed lines, showcasing the lyrical prowess that both artists bring to their craft:
"Maroon 5 need a verse, you better make it witty / Then we need a verse for the Swifties." – Drake
The exchange of diss tracks has kept fans engaged and speculating about what comes next. Kendrick Lamar's creativity shines through as he ventures into new territories with his music:
"I want to play their favourite song… but you know they love to sue." – Kendrick Lamar
"You [messed] up the minute you called out my family's name." – Kendrick Lamar
The personal nature of the feud is evident in Lamar's lyrics, as he takes aim at Drake’s persona:
"Let me say I'm the biggest hater," he rapped. "I hate the way that you walk, the way that you talk, I hate the way that you dress." – Kendrick Lamar
Drake's lyrical retorts maintain an equally personal tone, reflecting the deep-seated tension between these two artists.
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