Kendrick Lamar has finally fired back at Drake’s diss tracks, and it was quite the spectacle. Rumors circulated that Kendrick was initially approached to join Drake and J. Cole in their project “First Person Shooter,” but he declined for undisclosed reasons. Although I lack concrete evidence, this rumor persists. Listening to “First Person Shooter” and hearing frequent mentions of Kendrick, it’s easy to speculate that he was meant to be part of it. While Joe Budden floated this rumor, and he’s often on point with such matters, I can’t verify its accuracy. However, Kendrick did confirm Drake reaching out to collaborate on a track, though it’s uncertain if it was specifically for “First Person Shooter.” Regardless, Kendrick declined, leaving Drake feeling some type of way. Drake’s subsequent tracks “Push-Ups” and “Taylor Made” were direct responses to Kendrick’s shots. Drake’s retorts were both impressive; “Push-Ups” resonated with me, and “Taylor Made” showcased his wit and humor.
However, I wasn’t entirely on board with his use of AI. It seemed like he was endorsing AI through the songs, leveraging Tupac and Snoop Dogg’s voices to do so, which left me somewhat disenchanted. Nevertheless, I found the song and its approach quite clever. Kendrick caused quite a stir on the internet with his diss track “Euphoria,” despite Drake’s association with the show of the same name as its executive producer. And I must admit, Kendrick’s diss track lived up to expectations. The only minor criticism I have is the reuse of some disses. Some of the shots at Drake seemed reminiscent of what Rick Ross, Megan Thee Stallion, and Pusha T had previously said, which made it somewhat repetitive. However, Kendrick’s articulation was exceptional. His wordplay and double entendres were masterful, offering plenty to unpack and analyze. It wasn’t merely about throwing jabs at Drake; Kendrick painted a vivid picture of who Drake is, doing so with artistic flair. I particularly appreciated how he started slowly and then completely shifted the beat and vibe. His delivery and flow were extraordinary. I found his use of animated voices, especially when mimicking Drake’s Toronto accent, highly entertaining. Overall, it was a stellar response. Did Kendrick utterly demolish Drake? Not entirely, as he didn’t push the boundaries as far as he could have.
He certainly outmaneuvered Drake this time. Kendrick didn’t hold back, taking aim at both Drake and J. Cole. Regarding Drake and J. Cole’s collaboration, Kendrick expressed his feelings, suggesting a sense of exclusion: “I’ve felt rejected by you. It seems you don’t want to collaborate anymore. It’s interesting, isn’t it? Out of the three top-tier artists, two seem to be cozying up together. I hold them in high regard, but in my lyrics, I’ll dissect this further. It’s a non-issue; no one can sway my opinion. I won’t entertain trivial matters. I have my reservations, and no accent or facade can sway me.”
He also made a bold statement about his ambition, implying a willingness to cut ties if their friendship isn’t genuine, drawing a parallel to YNW Melly’s infamous case. Essentially, Kendrick warns that if their camaraderie is insincere, he won’t hesitate to metaphorically remove them both from the game, echoing the double homicide charge faced by YNW Melly.
Kendrick didn’t shy away from addressing Drake’s past feud with Pharrell either. He seemed displeased with Drake’s disrespectful remarks towards Pharrell in the track “Meltdown,” where Drake took a swipe at Pharrell following his appointment as creative director for Louis Vuitton men’s line. Kendrick’s response was direct: “Forget all that antagonism toward Pharrell. By disrespecting him, you’re involving me in unnecessary conflicts.” He then redirected Drake’s focus, challenging him to confront someone like Pusha T, who could provide a real test of his lyrical prowess, insinuating that Drake avoided such confrontations, as evidenced by his response to Pusha T’s “Story of Adidon” diss track.
So, Kendrick’s making it clear that if Drake couldn’t handle Pusha T, he’s definitely not going to handle him. He essentially says, “You’re better off facing Pusha again. If you’re thinking about challenging me, remember, he’s Terence Thorton, I’m Terence Crawford. I’m going to dominate.” By dropping Pusha’s real name and likening himself to boxer Terence Crawford, Kendrick implies he’s going to physically overpower Drake. It’s intriguing when he says, “We don’t need to get personal. Let’s keep it friendly.” How can a threat sound friendly? Kendrick has never been shy about his disdain for Drake, even criticizing him for his biracial identity. Then he adds, “It’s always been love and hate, but let me tell you, I’m the biggest critic. I dislike everything about you—your walk, talk, style, even your subtle jabs. If I confront you, it won’t be indirect. We dislike those who blur the lines between bees and real women.” The mention of “bees” likely refers to women with “Queen Bee” personas, possibly taking a jab at Drake’s ex, Sophie, a former adult entertainer. There’s also a suggestion that Drake might be involved with transgender women, though Kendrick tiptoes around that to avoid controversy. Kendrick continues, “How many more fabricated stories about your life until we’ve had our fill? How many more collaborations with black artists until you feel accepted?” He’s not just talking about Drake’s facial features but also his tendency to collaborate with black artists to validate his standing in the hip-hop community. Once again, Kendrick’s challenging Drake’s black identity, highlighting his biracial background despite his black father.
I fail to understand the controversy surrounding his desire to embrace his black heritage. It strikes me as peculiar that Kendrick would take aim at someone of mixed race, especially considering his own marriage to a mixed person. Embracing one’s black identity, especially if they’re of mixed heritage, should be perfectly acceptable. Drake’s acknowledgment and embrace of his black roots seem entirely reasonable to me. However, it’s evident that Drake has a tendency to adopt personas that don’t authentically reflect him, and this facade often fails to deceive discerning observers. Kendrick’s revelation that Drake attempted to secure another collaboration with him sheds light on their strained relationship. Kendrick’s refusal, fueled by past grievances and perceived slights, speaks volumes about the state of their rapport. The lyrics you mentioned from Kendrick highlight his disdain for what he perceives as Drake’s inauthenticity and attempts to imitate certain figures, particularly women. This observation is both amusing and revealing, given Drake’s contradictory actions, such as simultaneously idolizing and disrespecting women like Megan Thee Stallion and Rihanna. It’s intriguing to learn that Drake went as far as issuing a cease and desist for the “Like That” record, indicating his dissatisfaction with the track. Kendrick’s mention of Drake’s behind-the-scenes maneuvers to discredit others and his insistence on his life revolving solely around rap underscores the complexity of their dynamic. The revelation about the cease and desist adds another layer to the ongoing tension between them.
So, it appears Drake was under significant pressure. He had been tirelessly scouring the internet and probing the industry for any damning information on Kendrick Lamar, yet came up empty-handed. Kendrick subtly hints at Drake’s alleged payoff to silence a victim, a revelation of significance. Interestingly, Kendrick managed to unearth something about Drake: reports surfaced that Drake allegedly paid $530,000 to settle a lawsuit with a stripper whom he purportedly coerced into oral sex back in 2017. Although this story seemed to vanish from circulation, the New Zealand Herald republished it. Kendrick subtly alludes to this incident by questioning, “Have you ever paid 500,000 to, like, an open case?” While it might seem initially as if he’s referencing his own legal troubles, he’s also casting light on Drake’s situation. Furthermore, Kendrick subtly criticizes Drake for his interactions with younger individuals like Millie Bobby Brown, insinuating Drake’s association with minors. He contrasts their music styles, suggesting that while Kendrick’s electrifies, Drake’s merely pacifies.
He could have emphasized that point further, but he decided to let it slide this time. It’s about those unexpected acts of kindness.” So, he’s speaking literally, but also hinting at the notion that Drake’s music often serves as a pacifier. After all, what do babies enjoy? Pacifiers. There’s been scrutiny around Drake’s interactions with younger figures in the industry, much like Millie Bobby Brown. Some raised eyebrows when Drake, in his thirties, was texting Millie when she was merely 14 or 15. So Kendrick hints, “I could delve deeper into this, but I’ll spare you.”
Regarding his friendship with Drake, Kendrick expresses fondness, noting their initial meeting in Australia and praising Drake as a fantastic friend and role model. They stay in touch, recently exchanging messages where Drake expressed missing Kendrick dearly. With Drake planning a visit to Atlanta, Kendrick eagerly anticipates reuniting. As for advice, Kendrick hints that Drake offers guidance, particularly on matters concerning relationships, but keeps the details private.
Kendrick’s subtle remarks suggest a calculated move, perhaps a gentle caution to Drake. While Drake might feel untouchable and capable of outmaneuvering Kendrick in any confrontation, Kendrick has yet to unveil the full extent of what he could bring to the table. It’s a subtle reminder for Drake to tread carefully.
He’s definitely on the hunt for Kendrick’s info, but coming up empty-handed. Kendrick made it clear he’s prioritizing fatherhood unlike Drake. That “It’s 1 verse 20, not 20 verse 1” line hit hard, signifying Kendrick’s solo strength against Drake’s army of ghostwriters. Overall, Kendrick’s diss track was solid, putting him ahead of Drake this time. Drake’s attempt to mock Kendrick backfired when Kendrick criticized his speech and style, prompting Drake to post a humorous clip from “10 Things I Hate About You.” While not all hip-hop fans may get the reference, it brought a chuckle. However, Drake should be cautious because Kendrick might expose some skeletons, potentially damaging his career. Drake needs to brace himself for Kendrick’s comeback, as it could be career-altering. Share your thoughts on the video below, like, comment, and subscribe. Thanks for watching, catch you next time!