Kendrick Lamar and Drake: 'Beef'

 by Wilf B

Hip-hop and rap, since their births, have thrived on competition and rivalry. From the days of Tupac Shakur and The Notorious B.I.G. to Jay-Z and Nas, ‘beef’ has often been at the heart of the genre’s most memorable moments. In the contemporary scene, one of the most talked-about rivalries is between two of hip-hop’s titans: Drake and Kendrick Lamar. This feud, while more subtle and complex than some of its predecessors, encapsulates the evolving dynamics of the rap game in the 21st century.

The seeds of the Drake and Kendrick Lamar beef were sown in the early 2010s, a period when both artists were on the rise. Drake, with his unique blend of introspective lyrics and melodic hooks, was already a dominant force in mainstream hip-hop, and even particularly relevant in other genres such as pop. Kendrick Lamar, emerging from the West Coast with a reputation for intricate storytelling and lyrical prowess, was quickly gaining critical acclaim. 

Their relationship initially seemed friendly. They collaborated on tracks like “Buried Alive Interlude” from Drake’s Take Care (2011) and “Poetic Justice” from Kendrick’s good kid, m.A.A.d city (2012), showing mutual respect and admiration. The turning point in their relationship came in August 2013, when Kendrick Lamar dropped his now-legendary verse on Big Sean’s “Control.” In this verse, Kendrick name-dropped several of his peers, including Drake, J. Cole, and others, proclaiming his intention to outshine them all. The verse was a bold statement of competitive spirit and ambition, one that sent shockwaves through the hip-hop community.

While many artists responded to Kendrick’s call-out with their own verses, Drake’s reaction was more nuanced. In interviews, he downplayed the significance of Kendrick’s verse, suggesting it was a calculated move for attention. However, his subsequent lyrics and actions hinted at a brewing rivalry.

Over the next few years, Drake and Kendrick engaged in a series of subtle jabs and competitive one-upmanship through their music and public appearances. Drake’s “The Language” from Nothing Was the Same (2013) and Kendrick’s BET Cypher freestyle in 2013 both contained lines that fans interpreted as veiled shots at each other.

Drake’s If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late (2015) included tracks like “6PM in New York,” where he criticised unnamed rivals, which many believed were directed at Kendrick. In later years Kendrick frequently speaks on his hatred of Drake’s “sneak-dissing”, which is a direct reference to Drake’s essentially silent badmouthing of Lamar. Conversely, Kendrick’s To Pimp a Butterfly (2015) and subsequent projects contained lines that seemed to critique Drake’s approach to hip-hop and authenticity. 

The rivalry escalated further in 2017 with the release of Kendrick’s “The Heart Part 4.” In this track, Kendrick delivered a scathing critique of an unnamed rapper, widely speculated to be Drake, accusing him of being fake and complacent. The tension continued to build, with both artists seemingly aware of their competitive positions. Drake’s “Duppy Freestyle” (2018), primarily aimed at Pusha T, also contained lines that seemed to address Kendrick indirectly, maintaining the competitive tension between the two.

As of 2024, the Drake and Kendrick Lamar beef remains a topic of interest among hip-hop fans, with recent headlines clearly showing how extreme their beef has become, with Drake’s bodyguard being shot by an unknown person. Both artists have continued to dominate the charts and push the boundaries of the genre in their own ways. Drake’s commercial success and ability to churn out hits are unparalleled, while Kendrick’s critical acclaim and artistic integrity have solidified his position as one of the greatest storytellers in hip-hop. Their rivalry, characterised by a blend of mutual respect and competitive spirit, reflects the changing nature of hip-hop beefs in the modern era. Unlike the violent and often tragic feuds of the past, the Drake and Kendrick Lamar beef has largely played out through their music and public personas, providing fans with a compelling narrative of two titans vying for the throne.

Drake and Kendrick Lamar’s feuds have been a testament to the driving force of the rap industry. It highlights the genre’s evolution and the ways in which rivalries can fuel artistic innovation and push artists to reach new heights. As both artists continue to grow and evolve, fans eagerly await the next chapter in this ongoing saga.