The hip-hop world thrives on competition, and few rivalries have captured the public's attention like the ongoing tension between Kendrick Lamar and Drake. What began as a collaborative relationship between two of rap's most significant forces has devolved into a lyrical battleground. Their complex dynamic, filled with mutual respect, fiery diss tracks, and subtle jabs, has kept fans and critics on edge for over a decade.
Let’s dive into the timeline of their relationship, exploring how camaraderie gave way to competition and lyrical warfare.
2011: The Start of Something Special
Kendrick Lamar Features on Drake’s Take Care
Drake’s sophomore album, Take Care, solidified his status as a rap titan, and Kendrick Lamar was one of its standout collaborators. On the haunting “Buried Alive Interlude,” Kendrick reflected on fame’s darker side while subtly nodding to Drake's influence, rapping:
“So blame it on Mr. OVOXO/ The reason why I’m breathin’ all the vanity I know.”
This co-sign put Kendrick on the radar of Drake’s massive audience, signaling a promising relationship between the two rising stars.
2012: Building Momentum Together
Kendrick Joins Drake’s Club Paradise Tour
To further amplify Lamar’s growing reputation, Drake brought him and A$AP Rocky along as opening acts on his Club Paradise Tour. Drake later reflected on this decision in 2016’s “4 PM in Calabasas,” emphasizing his support for upcoming artists, stating:
“When they told me take an R&B n—a on the road/ And I told ’em no and drew for Kendrick and Rocky.”
The partnership seemed to be mutually beneficial, with Kendrick gaining exposure and Drake solidifying his role as a mentor figure.
2013: A Turning Point
Collaborative Success: “Poetic Justice” & “F**kin’ Problems”
In 2013, the duo delivered back-to-back hits. Kendrick featured Drake on the sultry good kid, m.A.A.d city track “Poetic Justice,” while both rappers joined A$AP Rocky on the platinum-certified “F**kin’ Problems.”
But the year also marked a shift in their relationship.
Kendrick’s Bold Claim on “Control”
On Big Sean’s “Control,” Kendrick namedropped and challenged nearly every major rapper in the game:
“I got love for you all, but I’m trying to murder you n—as.”
Drake, among the targets, downplayed the diss in an interview with Billboard, saying:
“It just sounded like an ambitious thought to me... I know good and well that [Lamar]’s not murdering me at all, in any platform.”
BET Hip-Hop Awards Cypher
Kendrick doubled down during the 2013 BET Cypher, delivering lines that many interpreted as directed at Drake:
“And tucked a sensitive rapper back in his pajama clothes.”
Drake’s perceived sensitivity became a recurring theme in Kendrick’s critiques.
2015-2016: Subtle Shots and Rising Tensions
Ghostwriting Allegations
Kendrick took aim at Drake’s credibility as a lyricist on To Pimp a Butterfly’s “King Kunta,” rapping:
“A rapper with a ghostwriter? What the f**k happened?”
Drake responded indirectly on The Game’s “100,” asserting his dominance:
“I would have all of your fans/ If I didn’t go pop and I stayed on some conscious s**t.”
Kendrick’s verses on Dr. Dre’s Compton album (“Darkside / Gone” and “Deep Water”) also contained thinly veiled shots, furthering the animosity.
2023: The “Big Three” Debate
J. Cole’s Verse on “First Person Shooter”
In 2023, J. Cole reignited the conversation about rap’s hierarchy on his chart-topping collaboration with Drake, “First Person Shooter.” Referencing Kendrick and Drake, Cole rapped:
“Is it K-Dot? Is it Aubrey? Or me? We the big three like we started a league.”
While meant as a celebration, the verse seemingly antagonized Kendrick, who dismissed the idea of a “Big Three” entirely in his next feature.
2024: The Feud Reaches a Boiling Point
Kendrick’s Scathing Verse on Future & Metro Boomin’s “Like That”
On March 22, 2024, Kendrick unleashed one of his most direct attacks yet on Future and Metro Boomin’s track “Like That.” He fired shots at both Drake and J. Cole, declaring:
“Motherf–k the Big Three, n—a, it’s just big me.”
Kendrick also took aim at Drake’s For All the Dogs album, referencing the horror-inspired Pet Sematary:
“For all your dogs gettin’ buried/ That’s a K with all these nines.”
Drake’s Response on Tour
Two days later, during a stop on his It’s All a Blur tour, Drake addressed the situation indirectly:
“I got my fking head up high, my back straight... and I know that no matter what, it’s not a n—a on this earth that could ever fk with me in my life!”
While not a lyrical rebuttal, the statement showcased Drake’s confidence amidst the brewing storm.
The Future of the Feud
The Kendrick Lamar vs. Drake rivalry embodies the spirit of hip-hop — a genre built on competition, self-expression, and the pursuit of excellence. Whether through subtle jabs or overt diss tracks, their lyrical sparring pushes both artists to greater creative heights.
Fans eagerly await the next chapter, as this feud is far from over. Will Drake respond with a scorching track of his own? Or will Kendrick continue to hold the upper hand in this lyrical death match? Only time will tell.
FAQ
Why did Kendrick Lamar diss Drake?
Kendrick’s competitive nature and desire to assert dominance in the rap game have led him to target Drake, who represents a different style of success. Their feud has grown from subtle competition to direct confrontation over the years.
Has Drake ever responded directly to Kendrick Lamar?
While Drake has made indirect references to Kendrick in his music, he has rarely responded with outright diss tracks. Instead, he uses interviews and performances to assert his position.
Will Kendrick and Drake collaborate again?
Given the escalating tension, a future collaboration seems unlikely. However, stranger things have happened in hip-hop.
