The hip-hop world is currently ablaze with the escalating feud between two of its titans, Drake and Kendrick Lamar. What was once a collaborative camaraderie between these leading rappers has devolved into a full-blown lyrical battle, captivating fans and dominating headlines. The shift from mutual respect to open hostility reached a boiling point with Kendrick Lamar’s incendiary guest verse on Future and Metro Boomin’s track “Like That,” featured on their album We Don’t Trust You, released on March 22, 2024.
Lamar’s verse didn’t hold back, directly targeting Drake and J. Cole with lines like, “Yeah, get up with me, f–k sneak dissing/’First Person Shooter,’ I hope they came with three switches,” and further asserting his dominance by declaring, “Motherf–k the Big Three, n—a, it’s just big me.” This bold declaration served as the spark that ignited the current rap firestorm.
Drake, while initially responding with words rather than a direct diss track, addressed Lamar’s challenge during his concert in Sunrise, Florida, on March 24, 2024. He conveyed a defiant message to the crowd, stating, “I got my f–king head up high, my back straight, I’m 10 f–king toes down in Florida and anywhere else I go. And I know that no matter what, it’s not a n—a on this earth that could ever f–k with me in my life!” This response signaled that Drake was not backing down from the gauntlet thrown by Lamar, setting the stage for what appears to be a protracted and intense rap rivalry.
Billboard is closely following this developing narrative, delving into the history of Drake and Kendrick Lamar’s relationship. From their initial collaborations to the current state of animosity, the publication is examining the factors that contributed to this significant shift, providing fans with a comprehensive look at one of hip-hop’s most compelling rivalries.
