Hip-hop has always been about proving who’s the best, and that’s why classic albums in the genre are so highly celebrated. Think about it: A Tribe Called Quest’s first three albums are iconic, Biggie’s two records are legendary, and Kanye West’s The College Dropout and My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy are undisputed classics.
But when it comes to Drake, the situation is a bit different. He’s got a massive fan base that crowns him the GOAT and his dominance on streaming platforms speaks volumes. Yet, some folks see him as just another artist with a few big hits or someone who’s always chasing trends to stay relevant. Kendrick Lamar, on the other hand, sees Drake as the epitome of everything he dislikes about modern hip-hop.
Their rivalry began long before the big 2024 hip-hop feud. It started subtly back in 2011. Kendrick, who was touring with ASAP Rocky at the time, had initially shown respect for Drake. They even shared some positive moments.
“I remember sitting down with Drake in Toronto during my first show there. He reached out, and we had a few drinks together. He was really supportive of my music, and I’ve always respected his work. He called me up one day and said, ‘You know what? Handpick, man. I want you on this tour.’”
It’s pretty clear that while he had a lot of respect for Drake’s music, it wasn’t the only reason he jumped at the chance to collaborate. The exposure was invaluable. Even in those early talks about touring with Drake, he saw it as a golden opportunity. “I came back ready to reach a new audience. I’m used to playing for 2,000 people, not 15,000. It was an incredible experience, and we built a strong connection.”
Their collaboration continued, with their most recent track together being “Poetic Justice” from Kendrick Lamar’s standout album good kid, m.A.A.d city. This song was the most radio-friendly on the album, and Drake, right at the height of his commercial success, was involved, making good kid, m.A.A.d city an early example of the “Drake boost” that many other artists would later benefit from.
But things began to change. It started when Kendrick appeared on The Breakfast Club and seemed to back a notorious rant about Drake.
“What about Drake? You like Drake?”
“No, why don’t you like Drake?”
“I don’t like anything about Drake. I don’t like his voice. I don’t like his face. I don’t like how he walks. I don’t like his haircut. I might just… let me shut up.”
Kendrick later touched on this infamous clip during his own appearance on The Breakfast Club while promoting his debut album. He found the clip hilarious and, in a now-deleted part of the interview, didn’t hold back.
“I’m watching everyone on the bus cracking up, hitting walls, and swinging their arms. I’m like, ‘What’s going on?’ They stop laughing, and I hear X going off on the laptop, just losing it.”
Though neither artist publicly responded, this seemed to mark the end of their musical collaborations. Tracks like “The Problems,” which Drake and 40 had crafted for Kendrick, ended up being given to ASAP Rocky, leaving Kendrick’s verse out. From this point on, it was all about subtle digs and online jabs.
It’s worth noting that “The Problems” and good kid, m.A.A.d city both dropped in the same month in 2012, so in an alternate universe, the track might have ended up on Kendrick’s album. With good kid, m.A.A.d city being hailed as a masterpiece by critics, Drake felt a newfound urgency to create a classic album of his own.
As a mixed-race Canadian striving for recognition in hip-hop, Drake saw producing a standout record as his way to prove himself. That led him to work on Nothing Was the Same, an album he hoped would establish him as a creator of classic music.
“My music on this album is more focused and clearer,” he said before its release. “Take Care was a great album, but I saw where I could improve, and I think I’ve done that with this one.”
As Kendrick was about to unveil what he thought was his most impressive display of talent yet, he was ready to shake up hip-hop once more with his iconic “Control” verse. In it, he threw down the gauntlet, calling out everyone from Cole and Big Sean to Drake and Tyler, grabbing the spotlight and making headlines.
While Drake was busy setting the stage to assert his dominance as the top dog, Kendrick swooped in and took the crown—and the news cycle—with one bold move. It’s safe to say that Drake was pretty shaken by it.
Drake later reflected, “It didn’t seem real to me. When I saw him afterward, it was like, ‘Love.’ So, I was left wondering if it was all just an act. Those were some pretty harsh words, and then to act like nothing happened when we met again? That’s not really how I see battling. There should be real passion and intensity. Personally, I’d rather focus on making great music than being the topic of Twitter for a few days.”
The topic was a major talking point during the press for Drake’s album Nothing Was the Same. It quickly became clear that some of the album’s lyrics seemed aimed at Kendrick, suggesting that “Control” was just a stunt for attention.
Drake rapped, “I don’t know why they’ve been lying, but it’s not that inspiring. He’s just trying to get a reaction.” He also said, “I’m the kid with the motor mouth. I’m the one you should worry about.”
Kendrick, on the other hand, seemed unfazed by the backlash. If anything, he was thrilled with the response—it was exactly what he wanted. He fired back with a feature on J-Rock’s “Pay for It,” rapping, “Spit in this ain’t no warning shot; this is a relevant henchman. See my opponent, then cease your existence.”
Kendrick also took another jab at Drake during the 2013 BET Cypher, rapping, “Yeah, and nothing’s been the same since they dropped Control and the sense of it back in his pajama.”
As the feud continued to make headlines, Kendrick eventually spoke more openly about it. In an interview with Hip-Hop Kid, he shared his thoughts on the state of hip-hop, saying that the genre seemed to be lacking innovation and creativity.
“It’s all about pushing yourself and not taking things for granted,” Kendrick said. “Whether it’s a hook, a verse, or just a few bars, you’ve got to put your best into it. Being in this industry at this level is a rare chance.”
When asked if he’d ever want to collaborate with Drake, Kendrick was straightforward. “Nah, we come from different worlds and backgrounds. I don’t see that being entertaining for me, even if it might be for the listeners. Hip-hop is in a weird place right now. It feels stagnant creatively. There are records I like, but overall, it seems like we’re stuck, and there’s a lack of respect because people feel like we’re not truly representing.”
Hip-hop has always thrived on originality—saying what you want to say instead of just echoing what’s trending or what’s playing on the radio. Kendrick Lamar embodies this spirit, consistently setting himself apart from other artists like Drake. Throughout their feud, Kendrick has maintained that he and Drake, the mixed-race artist from Toronto, have different levels of authenticity and respect in hip-hop.
This divide became particularly evident at the 2014 Grammys. That night, Kendrick’s good kid, m.A.A.d city and Drake’s Nothing Was the Same were both nominated for Best Rap Album. But neither won. Instead, Macklemore and Ryan Lewis took home the award for The Heist. While the public was up in arms, their outrage was less about Drake’s loss and more about Kendrick being overlooked. Macklemore, feeling guilty about the result, even went on Hot 97 to apologize, acknowledging that Kendrick’s album was superior.
Drake’s response, however, wasn’t as gracious. In a Rolling Stone interview, he criticized Macklemore for publicly addressing his win and suggested that if Macklemore felt undeserving, he should focus on improving his music. Drake’s frustration with being overshadowed by Kendrick was clear, revealing his struggle with not being seen as equally influential in hip-hop.
Since Nothing Was the Same, Drake has shifted his focus. His music now emphasizes commercial success rather than striving for a critically acclaimed, genre-defining album. His branding has become more about hitting the charts and achieving mainstream appeal, moving away from the idea of creating a classic album with no skips—something Kendrick continues to excel at.
Drake and Kendrick Lamar’s careers took very different turns over the years. While Drake chased trends—everything from TikTok dances to appealing to younger fans with collaborations—Kendrick stuck to his guns. He kept pushing boundaries and creating powerful albums, making a bold statement with To Pimp a Butterfly. Instead of playing it safe with familiar sounds, Kendrick explored the depths of Black American music, blending jazz, soul, and more.
Drake, having faced mixed reactions to Nothing Was the Same, became cautious. He avoided taking risks, preferring to stick with what worked. Meanwhile, Kendrick’s innovative approach meant he trusted his fans to dig deep and understand his music over time. “I didn’t want you to get it all in one day. I wanted it to last forever,” Kendrick said about To Pimp a Butterfly, implying that its true impact would unfold with time.
Their paths crossed again in a new kind of competition—the Billboard charts. Drake’s If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late was a raw, honest mixtape that many loved. It was a genuine reflection of him, though not a classic. Then, Kendrick’s DAMN. came along and overshadowed Drake’s commercial success. It was a blow, especially for someone who’s so focused on numbers.
Despite this, Drake handled the loss with grace, acknowledging Kendrick’s achievements and even hinting at a potential collaboration with Kendrick and J. Cole. But Kendrick wasn’t interested in patching things up. He continued to take subtle shots at Drake’s perceived flaws. In a Rolling Stone interview after DAMN., Kendrick talked about maintaining integrity while achieving success, clearly aiming some of those comments at Drake.
Kendrick also made a pointed reference on “All the Stars” from the Black Panther soundtrack. While it wasn’t obvious at the time, it’s clear now that Kendrick was addressing Drake. Despite his jabs, Drake never fully closed the door on their relationship. In 2019, as a new decade approached, he expressed respect for Kendrick and J. Cole, excited to see who could stand the test of time like Jay-Z.
Now, though, it seems that respect has faded. Drake has racked up plenty of accolades but still hasn’t hit the classic album milestone he’s after. Kendrick, meanwhile, remains a major force in the rap game.
So, what do you think? Did Kendrick’s influence push Drake away from making a classic album, or is that reading too much into it? Also, remember, it was Drake who reached out to Kendrick for a tour, offered him chances, and wanted to collaborate with J. Cole. Maybe there’s more to this story, but we’ll dive into that another time.
Thanks for watching! I’m Spencer Zachary, your host. Besides doing voiceovers for Hip-Hop Madness, I’m a singer, songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist. My debut album, Open Water, is out now on all streaming platforms.