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On May 4, 2024, Kendrick Lamar released "[[Not Like Us (song)|Not Like Us]]". In the track, Lamar alleges Drake and members of Drake's inner circle are pedophiles. He also points out Drake's dependence on Atlanta rappers for his continued success, comparing him to a white [[colonizer]].<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2024-05-05 |title=Kendrick Lamar Doesn't Wait for Drake Response, Drops Another New Diss Song "Not Like Us" |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/kendrick-lamar-doesnt-wait-for-drake-response-drops-another-new-diss-song-not-like-us-listen/ |access-date=2024-05-05 |website=Pitchfork |language=en-US |archive-date=May 5, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240505005059/https://pitchfork.com/news/kendrick-lamar-doesnt-wait-for-drake-response-drops-another-new-diss-song-not-like-us-listen/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
On May 4, 2024, Kendrick Lamar released "[[Not Like Us (song)|Not Like Us]]". In the track, Lamar alleges Drake and members of Drake's inner circle are pedophiles. He also points out Drake's dependence on Atlanta rappers for his continued success, comparing him to a white [[colonizer]].<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2024-05-05 |title=Kendrick Lamar Doesn't Wait for Drake Response, Drops Another New Diss Song "Not Like Us" |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/kendrick-lamar-doesnt-wait-for-drake-response-drops-another-new-diss-song-not-like-us-listen/ |access-date=2024-05-05 |website=Pitchfork |language=en-US |archive-date=May 5, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240505005059/https://pitchfork.com/news/kendrick-lamar-doesnt-wait-for-drake-response-drops-another-new-diss-song-not-like-us-listen/ |url-status=live }}</ref>


On May 5, 2024, Drake responded to the pedophile allegations on "The Heart Part 6" while mocking Lamar for being molested. The title references Kendrick's "The Heart Part {number}" series, picking up after Lamar's critically acclaimed "[[The Heart Part 5]]".
On May 5, 2024, Drake released "The Heart Part 6". The title references Kendrick's "The Heart Part {number}" series, picking up after Lamar's critically acclaimed "[[The Heart Part 5]]". In the track, responded to the pedophile allegations while mocking Lamar for being molested. Drake also alleged that his inner circle fed Lamar false information about having an 11 year old daughter, which Lamar referenced in "[[Meet the Grahams]]".


== Reactions ==
== Reactions ==

Revision as of 01:59, 6 May 2024

Drake in 2017
Kendrick Lamar in 2018

The Drake–Kendrick Lamar feud, also called the Rap Civil War by Billboard and Rolling Stone[1][2], 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.[3][4][5][6][7] Drake has also been in feuds with Kanye West since 2018, ASAP Rocky and Rihanna since 2019, and Megan Thee Stallion since 2022. 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-generated vocals impersonating 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 "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. On May 5, Drake responded with "THE HEART PART 6".[8]

2011–2013: Background

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.[9] 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".[10]

On August 14, 2013, Lamar took shots at Drake and several other rappers on Big Sean's "Control".[11][12] 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".[13] 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".[14]

On September 24, 2013, Drake released his third studio album Nothing Was the Same. Multiple outlets interpreted the first verse on "The Language", the album's fifth single, as a response to Lamar's "Control" verse.[15][16][17] Birdman, head of Drake's then-label Cash Money Records, stated the diss wasn't about Lamar.[18] 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".[19] These lines were popularly interpreted as further disses toward Drake and a response to "The Language", especially as Lamar appears to reference Drake's Nothing Was the Same.[19][20] Drake later addressed Lamar's cypher verse and "The Language" 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". Nevertheless, Drake maintained that "The Language" wasn't targeted towards Lamar. Drake also praised Lamar as a "genius in his own right" and insisted there was "no real issue".[21][22]

2023–present: Escalation

"First Person Shooter" and "Like That"

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".[23][24] 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.[25] 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".[26]

"Push Ups" and "Taylor Made Freestyle"

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.[27][28] Drake officially released Push Ups on April 19.[29]

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.[30] 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."[31] "Taylor Made Freestyle" was subsequently taken down by Drake on April 26, 2024.[32][33]

"Euphoria" and "6:16 in LA"

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.[34]

Lamar posted an Instagram reel captioned "6:16 in LA" on May 3, 2024, three days after "Euphoria", containing a new diss track,[35][36] similar to how Drake released "Taylor Made Freestyle". The title parodies Drake's "[timestamp] in [city]" songs, like "8AM in Charlotte".[37] 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.[38] The single would release weeks after Simpson's passing on April 10, 2024.[39]

"Family Matters" and "Meet the Grahams"

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".[40] 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".[41][42][43] 20 minutes later, Lamar released another diss track aimed at Drake, titled "Meet the Grahams".[44] 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.[45][46][47]

"Not Like Us" and "The Heart Part 6"

Main article: Not Like Us (song)

On May 4, 2024, Kendrick Lamar released "Not Like Us". In the track, Lamar alleges Drake and members of Drake's inner circle are pedophiles. He also points out Drake's dependence on Atlanta rappers for his continued success, comparing him to a white colonizer.[48]

On May 5, 2024, Drake released "The Heart Part 6". The title references Kendrick's "The Heart Part {number}" series, picking up after Lamar's critically acclaimed "The Heart Part 5". In the track, responded to the pedophile allegations while mocking Lamar for being molested. Drake also alleged that his inner circle fed Lamar false information about having an 11 year old daughter, which Lamar referenced in "Meet the Grahams".

Reactions

In a May 4, 2024, article from The Ringer, the feud was described as the "last great rap beef".[49]

Full song chronology

Date Drake or Kendrick Song title Artist Album Content summary Lyrics (Link) Recording (Link)
August 14, 2013 Kendrick Control Big Sean featuring Kendrick Lamar & Jay Electronica N/A Kendrick names Drake among peers, signaling his intent to dominate lyrically. Lyrics Recording
October 2023 Drake First Person Shooter Drake featuring J. Cole For All the Dogs Cole ranks Kendrick, Drake and himself as "The Big 3" of hip-hop, prompting Kendrick's response. Lyrics Recording
March 2024 Kendrick Like That Future, Metro Boomin & Kendrick Lamar We Don't Trust You Kendrick rejects the 'big three' label with Cole and Drake, claiming his superiority. Lyrics Recording
April 19, 2024 Drake Push Ups Drake N/A Drake underscores his resilience and dominance in the industry, rejecting Kendrick's claimed artistic authenticity. Lyrics Recording
April 19, 2024 Drake Taylor Made Freestyle Drake N/A Drake uses AI timbre manipulation to imitate Tupac Shakur and Snoop Dogg to goad Kendrick into a response (removed under threat of legal action by Shakur's estate) Lyrics N/A
April 30, 2024 Kendrick euphoria Kendrick Lamar N/A Direct and sharp attack on Drake’s authenticity and personal image. Lyrics Recording
May 3, 2024 Kendrick 6:16 in LA Kendrick Lamar N/A Continues to challenge Drake's character and contributions to hip-hop. Suggests that there are "moles" within OVO Sound on Drake's own team. Lyrics Recording
May 3, 2024 Drake Buried Alive Interlude, Pt. 2 Drake N/A Short parody remix of Lamar's "Buried Alive Interlude" on Drake's album Take Care Lyrics Recording
May 3, 2024 Drake Family Matters Drake N/A Drake accuses Kendrick of hypocrisy and scrutinizes rumors regarding his personal life. Lyrics Recording
May 3, 2024 Kendrick meet the grahams Kendrick Lamar N/A Lamar, by speaking to each member of Drake's family, alleges that Drake has a secret daughter that he has abandoned and is a sexual predator. Lyrics Recording
May 4, 2024 Kendrick Not Like Us Kendrick Lamar N/A Further alleges that Drake is a pedophile and runs a sex trafficking ring with members of OVO Sound. Lyrics Recording
May 5, 2024 Drake The Heart Part 6 Drake N/A Drake responded to the pedophile allegations, refuting them, and further accuses Lamar of abusing his fiancée Whitney. Lyrics Recording

See also

References

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  2. ^ Lamarre, Carl (April 24, 2024). "Drake Vs. Everybody: Here Are All of The Stars Involved in the Rap Civil War". Billboard. Archived from the original on May 3, 2024. Retrieved May 6, 2024.
  3. ^ "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.
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  46. ^ 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.
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  49. ^ 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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