The Drake and Kendrick Lamar Feud, Explained

The rap universe is buzzing with excitement as two heavyweights, Drake and Kendrick Lamar, engage in a heated battle, putting hip-hop back in the spotlight. Drake, known as one of the most commercially successful hip-hop artists, recently unleashed two diss tracks aimed at Kendrick Lamar, who is celebrated for his critical acclaim and even won a Pulitzer Prize for his work.

The feud between Drake and Lamar has a long history, with tensions simmering since Lamar’s pointed verse on his chart-topping single, ‘Like That.’ Drake retaliated by releasing ‘Push Ups’ and ‘Taylor Made Freestyle,’ stirring up the rap scene with their lyrical sparring.

Also Read: A Comprehensive Timeline of Feuds Between Drake, Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole And More

But How Did This Beef Begin and Why is it Such a Big Deal?

The roots of this feud trace back to 2011 when Drake, a former child star turned rapper, provided Lamar with a platform on his album ‘Take Care’ and included him in a tour. However, tensions arose in 2013 when Lamar’s guest verse on Big Sean’s ‘Control’ called out Drake and other top rappers of the time, shaking up the industry.

Fast forward to recent events, J. Cole’s mention of Drake, Lamar, and himself as the “big three” in a track sparked further controversy. Lamar’s response to ‘Like That,’ dismissing the notion of a “big three,” ignited the feud to new heights, dominating the charts and stirring conversation.

J. Cole briefly entered the fray with his track, but quickly withdrew, leaving Drake to take the spotlight. Drake’s diss tracks not only target Lamar but also other figures in the industry, including Future, The Weeknd, and Rick Ross, escalating tensions further.

In a surprising move, Drake incorporated AI-generated voices mimicking rap legends Tupac Shakur and Snoop Dogg to taunt Lamar, earning him a lawsuit.