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The ongoing rap battle between Drake and Kendrick Lamar is undeniably one of the most captivating spectacles in recent weeks. If you’re just now joining the fray, prepare to immerse yourself in an exhilarating journey of lyrical warfare. The dynamic exchange of fiery verses, clever wordplay, and relentless jabs has taken the hip-hop world by storm, offering a thrilling spectacle for fans and critics alike.
To fully grasp the magnitude of this clash, it’s essential to delve into the history and context behind the rivalry. Both Drake and Kendrick Lamar are heavyweight titans in the rap game, each commanding legions of devoted followers and boasting impressive discographies brimming with chart-topping hits and critical acclaim. Their paths have intersected on numerous occasions, sparking rumors of underlying tensions and competitive spirits simmering beneath the surface.
As the battle unfolds, enthusiasts find themselves caught up in the electrifying back-and-forth exchanges, dissecting every bar and dissecting the subtle nuances of each artist’s lyrical prowess. From scathing disses to clever wordplay, the rap battle showcases the raw talent and creative ingenuity of both Drake and Kendrick Lamar, leaving audiences on the edge of their seats in anticipation of the next move.
For those just tuning in, the journey ahead promises to be an exhilarating rollercoaster ride through the highs and lows of hip-hop’s most riveting feud. So buckle up and get ready to immerse yourself in the adrenaline-fueled world of Drake versus Kendrick Lamar—it’s a wild ride you won’t want to miss.
When did Drake and Kendrick Lamar’s beef start?
The origins of this epic saga trace back to the distant past, with Kendrick Lamar igniting the flames of rivalry by dissing Drake on his track “Control” in 2012. This seminal moment set the stage for a brewing feud that would simmer beneath the surface for years to come. Fast forward to the present day, and Drake’s response to Kendrick’s provocation remains a topic of intrigue, showcasing the enduring impact of that fateful moment.
More recently, Drake reignited tensions with Kendrick by releasing a collaboration with J Cole titled “First Person Shooter.” In this track, Cole boldly asserted himself, Drake, and Kendrick Lamar as the triumphant triumvirate of hip-hop, igniting further speculation and fueling the flames of rivalry between the two heavyweight artists.
As the battle for rap supremacy intensifies, fans eagerly track the evolution of diss tracks exchanged between Drake and Kendrick Lamar, seeking to unravel the intricate web of lyrical warfare that has captivated the hip-hop world. From subtle jabs to blistering critiques, each diss track adds another layer to the complex narrative of this ongoing feud.
March 22nd: “Like That” – Future, Metro Boomin, Kendrick Lamar
In a poignant response to Drake’s assertion that they, along with J Cole, formed the “big three” in hip-hop, Kendrick Lamar delivered a calculated dismissal, asserting, “it’s just big me.” This succinct retort served as a powerful reaffirmation of Kendrick’s individual prowess and significance in the rap landscape, subtly distancing himself from any perceived hierarchy within the genre.
While Kendrick’s response contained a few subtle digs at Drake, the overall tone remained relatively restrained, indicating that the feud had yet to escalate into full-blown animosity. Despite the underlying tension between the two artists, Kendrick’s remarks conveyed a sense of confidence and self-assurance, further solidifying his status as a formidable force in hip-hop.
April 13th: “Push Ups” – Drake
True to form, Drake wasted no time in firing back with his own diss track, refusing to let Kendrick’s remarks go unchallenged. In the leaked song, Drake adopts a confrontational tone, effectively taunting the rapper by asserting his dominance in the rap game. With swaggering confidence, Drake positions himself as “at the top of the mountain,” subtly implying that Kendrick is beneath him, quipping, “Just to have this talk with yo’ *ss, I had to hike down.”
In addition to asserting his supremacy, Drake takes aim at Kendrick’s collaborative ventures with other musicians, weaving in references to unexpected names such as Taylor Swift and Rick Ross. By doing so, Drake subtly undermines Kendrick’s credibility and suggests that his associations may dilute his authenticity within the hip-hop community.
April 19th: “Taylor Made Freestyle” – Drake
Continuing his relentless barrage, Drake unleashed yet another response less than a week after his initial diss track. However, this latest offering was short-lived as it was swiftly removed from circulation. The reason? Drake had incorporated A.I. generated voices from two of Kendrick’s idols: Tupac Shakur and Snoop Dogg. The usage of these voices sparked legal action, prompting a cease and desist from the Shakur estate and leading to the track’s deletion.
Despite this setback, Drake’s verbal assault didn’t let up. In the portions of the track featuring his own vocals, he once again took aim at his rival, this time dragging Taylor Swift into the fray. With biting sarcasm, Drake mocked Kendrick’s delay in responding to his diss, sarcastically remarking, “Now we gotta wait a f***ing week cause Taylor Swift is your new top, and if you boutta drop, she gotta approve.”
By involving Taylor Swift, Drake not only continued to ridicule Kendrick but also highlighted the perceived absurdity of the situation. The inclusion of Swift, a pop megastar, adds a layer of irony to the ongoing feud, underscoring the lengths to which Drake will go to assert his dominance and provoke his rival.
April 30th “Euphoria” – Kendrick Lamar
The title of the diss track is a clear nod to the HBO series “Succession,” a show in which Drake serves as a producer. However, Kendrick Lamar wastes no time in getting straight to the point, delivering a relentless verbal assault that leaves no stone unturned. In the six-minute track, Kendrick pulls no punches, mercilessly mocking Drake for a myriad of perceived shortcomings, from his racial identity to accusations of plastic surgery, and even targeting his parenting skills.
Kendrick’s lyrics leave no room for ambiguity, with lines like “I hate the way that you walk, the way that you talk/ I hate the way that you dress/ I hate the way you sneak diss,” conveying his visceral disdain for his rival with searing clarity. With each bar, Kendrick makes it abundantly clear that he is not holding back, laying bare his grievances and leaving Drake squarely in his crosshairs.
By directly confronting Drake on a multitude of fronts, Kendrick demonstrates his willingness to engage in a no-holds-barred battle of words, sparing no expense in his efforts to assert his dominance and emerge victorious in this high-stakes rap feud. As tensions continue to escalate, fans eagerly await Drake’s response, anticipating whether he will rise to the challenge or falter in the face of Kendrick’s relentless onslaught.
May 3rd: “6:16 in LA” – Kendrick Lamar
It appears that Kendrick wasn’t content with just one six-minute diss track, as he made a swift return to the battlefield a mere three days later, reminiscent of a resurrection akin to Jesus himself. This time, Kendrick delivered another scathing onslaught of burns, with even the title of the song serving as a subtle jab at Drake’s penchant for incorporating dates and times into his own track titles. Notably, the chosen date for this release coincided with Father’s Day, adding an extra layer of significance, as it also marked the birthday of the legendary Tupac Shakur.
But the calculated jabs didn’t stop there. In a stroke of subtle yet ingenious detail, the track was produced by none other than Jack Antonoff, a frequent collaborator of Taylor Swift. This choice of producer serves as yet another pointed dig at Drake, further intensifying the layers of rivalry and animosity between the two artists.
With each strategic move, Kendrick demonstrates his mastery of the art of lyrical warfare, leaving no stone unturned in his relentless pursuit of victory. As the feud between Kendrick Lamar and Drake continues to escalate, fans can only speculate on what further salvos each artist will unleash in this electrifying battle for rap supremacy.
May 3rd: “Family Matters” – Drake
In a swift and calculated countermove, Drake wasted no time in retaliating to Kendrick’s “6:16” with an eight-minute track of his own. In this scathing response, Drake insinuated that Kendrick’s son was not actually fathered by him but by his manager, casting doubt on Kendrick’s paternity. Not stopping there, Drake dragged Kendrick’s wife, Whitney Alford, into the fray, launching accusations and insinuations regarding their relationship.
The intensity of Drake’s diss track reached a boiling point as he concluded with a damning accusation, directly alleging Kendrick of domestic abuse against Alford. This shocking revelation sent shockwaves through the hip-hop community, escalating the feud to unprecedented levels of personal and emotional intensity.
With each barbed lyric, Drake demonstrated his willingness to push boundaries and cross lines in his pursuit of victory in this rap battle. The repercussions of his accusations reverberated far and wide, leaving fans and critics alike reeling from the bombshell revelations.
May 4th: “Meet the Grahams” – Kendrick Lamar
With lightning speed, Kendrick Lamar unleashed his own retaliation mere hours after Drake’s “Family Matters” with “Meet the Grahams.” This blistering track wasted no time in escalating the feud to new heights, as Kendrick launched a barrage of scathing accusations against Drake.
In “Meet the Grahams,” Kendrick pulls no punches, leveling damning allegations against Drake, including the claim that Drake has a secret daughter. The track delves into Drake’s alleged struggles with addiction to gambling, drugs, alcohol, sex, and lavish spending, painting a portrait of excess and self-destruction.
Kendrick doesn’t hold back in addressing Drake’s son, Adonis, directly, expressing regret that Drake is his father. This poignant moment adds a personal dimension to the feud, underscoring the emotional weight behind Kendrick’s words.
As if that weren’t enough, Kendrick also takes aim at Drake’s perceived insecurities, mocking his supposed plastic surgery and further chipping away at his rival’s image and credibility.
With each barbed lyric, Kendrick demonstrates his mastery of the art of lyrical warfare, leaving Drake reeling from the onslaught of accusations and insinuations. As the feud between the two artists reaches a fever pitch, fans can only wait with bated breath to see how Drake will respond to Kendrick’s devastating blows.
May 4th: “Not Like Us” – Kendrick Lamar
In Kendrick Lamar’s latest salvo, which dropped over the weekend and has already garnered millions of views on YouTube, the rapper once again pulls no punches. This time, Kendrick takes aim at Drake with allegations of pedophilia, plunging the feud into even darker territory.
One line, in particular, has sent shockwaves through the internet: “Tryna strike a chord and it’s probably A-minor.” This clever play on words not only suggests Drake’s attempts to manipulate or strike a chord with his audience but also subtly alludes to the serious accusations leveled against him.
The implications of such allegations are staggering, and it remains to be seen how Drake will respond to this latest escalation in the ongoing feud. As tensions between the two artists continue to mount, fans are left on edge, eagerly awaiting the next move in what has become one of the most explosive rap beefs in recent memory.
In the wake of Kendrick’s latest diss track, the stakes have never been higher, and the fallout from these allegations could have far-reaching consequences for both artists. As the feud rages on, only time will tell how Drake will attempt to recover from this devastating blow to his reputation and credibility.
May 5th: “The Heart Part 6” – Drake
In a swift and strategic move, Drake wasted no time in delivering his response to Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us,” dropping his own track shortly after. Titled as a clear nod to Kendrick’s iconic “The Heart” series, Drake’s track aims to dispel the swirling rumors surrounding his alleged secret daughter.
In his response, Drake boldly asserts that the rumor of his secret daughter was actually planted by his own team as a ploy to catch Kendrick off guard. This revelation not only seeks to debunk the allegations but also adds a layer of intrigue to the ongoing feud, suggesting that Drake is willing to play mind games to gain the upper hand.
Furthermore, Drake doesn’t miss the opportunity to further taunt his newfound rival, escalating the tension between them with each barbed lyric. As the feud between Drake and Kendrick Lamar continues to escalate, fans are left on the edge of their seats, eagerly awaiting the next move in this high-stakes battle of words and wits.