The rivalry between Drake and Kendrick Lamar, two of the biggest names in modern hip-hop, can be traced back to 2013. While the two started on favorable terms, collaborating in the early 2010s, their relationship took a sharp turn after Kendrick Lamar’s infamous verse on Big Sean’s song “Control.” In the track, Kendrick made a bold claim: “Pusha T, Jermaine Cole, Meek Millz, A$AP Rocky, Drake, Big Sean, Jay Electron’, Tyler, Mac Miller, I got love for you all but I’m tryna murder you n****s.” This line, in which Kendrick called out several of hip-hop’s top artists, including Drake, ignited the spark for what would become a long-standing and public beef.
Before the 2013 “Control” verse, Kendrick Lamar and Drake had a positive working relationship. They collaborated on songs in 2011 and 2012, and Lamar even opened for Drake on his 2012 tour. However, Kendrick’s brash lyrics on “Control” set the stage for a brewing tension between the two. Despite the controversy, Kendrick later claimed that his verse was just “friendly competition,” but the damage was done, and Drake felt targeted.
In the years that followed, both Drake and Kendrick denied having beef with each other. Speculation about their relationship continued, with fans and media dissecting every lyric in search of hidden shots. However, the animosity seemed to stay below the surface, as both artists were focused on their respective careers and continued to release hit albums and tracks.
The tension resurfaced in 2023 when Drake and rapper J. Cole released the song “First Person Shooter.” In the song, Cole referred to himself, Drake, and Lamar as the “big three” of modern hip-hop, which seemed to suggest that Lamar was still an essential figure in the game. However, Kendrick responded on his track “Like That” in March 2024, claiming that hip-hop was “just big me,” a clear statement that Kendrick considered himself to be above the competition.
The back-and-forth escalated quickly in 2024. In April, J. Cole released “7 Minute Drill,” which included a diss directed at Kendrick Lamar. However, Cole later apologized and removed the song from streaming services. In retaliation, Drake released his own diss tracks, “Push Ups” and “Taylor Made Freestyle,” aimed at Lamar. Lamar didn’t back down either. On April 30, 2024, he released “Euphoria,” followed by “6:16 in LA” on May 3, both of which were clear shots at Drake.
Drake responded on the same day with the track “Family Matters,” accusing Lamar of domestic abuse and alleging that one of Lamar’s children had been fathered by producer Dave Free. Lamar didn’t let that accusation slide. Within twenty minutes, he released “Meet the Grahams,” where he accused Drake of sexual predation and sex trafficking, even claiming that Drake had fathered a second child. On May 4, Lamar took it even further with the track “Not Like Us,” in which he accused Drake of pedophilia.
The back-and-forth escalated to new levels of hostility, with both artists throwing personal jabs at each other. On May 5, 2024, Drake responded with the song “The Heart Part 6,” denying Lamar’s accusations and stating that Lamar’s team had fed him false information about the second child.
This escalating feud between two of hip-hop’s most influential artists has captivated fans and the media alike, with no clear end in sight. The battle not only highlights the fierce competitiveness within the hip-hop industry but also the personal stakes involved when two artists with such a rich history together find themselves on opposing sides. Whether this beef will eventually be resolved or continue to fuel animosity remains to be seen, but it’s clear that the rivalry between Drake and Kendrick Lamar has left a lasting mark on the culture of hip-hop.
