In the world of hip-hop, lyrical battles and rivalries are as much a part of the culture as the music itself. Recently, the feud between Drake and Kendrick Lamar has exploded into one of the most talked-about beefs in recent memory. From subtle jabs to outright accusations, the tension between these two titans of rap has captivated fans and dominated headlines, even drawing attention from law enforcement after a shooting incident near Drake’s Toronto home. But why does Kendrick hate Drake? The animosity didn’t appear overnight; it’s a complex narrative built over years of collaboration, competition, and escalating diss tracks.
From Collaboration to Competition: The Seeds of Discord
Over a decade ago, Drake and Kendrick Lamar weren’t rivals, but collaborators. They appeared on each other’s tracks, showcasing their lyrical prowess side-by-side. Kendrick featured on Drake’s “Buried Alive Interlude” in 2011 and Drake returned the favor on Kendrick’s critically acclaimed “Poetic Justice” in 2012. They even joined forces on A$AP Rocky’s hit, “(Expletive) ‘ Problems,” in the same year. This initial camaraderie, however, was short-lived.
The shift began in 2013 with Big Sean’s track “Control.” Kendrick Lamar, known for his potent lyricism and competitive spirit, delivered a verse that shook the hip-hop landscape. He called out numerous prominent rappers, including Drake, J. Cole, Meek Mill, and others, declaring, “I got love for you all, but I’m trying to murder you,” lyrically, of course. This verse, while seemingly directed at many, was widely interpreted as a direct challenge to his contemporaries, including Drake, positioning Kendrick as the apex predator in the rap game. Drake, in a Billboard cover story, downplayed the diss, stating, “I know good and well that Kendrick’s not murdering me, at all, in any platform.” However, the gauntlet had been thrown, and the competitive undercurrent between them became undeniable. Later that year, at the BET Hip-Hop Awards, Lamar subtly reinforced his stance with another jab aimed at Drake, solidifying the burgeoning rivalry.
Rekindling the Flames: J. Cole Re-enters the Chat
While Drake engaged in other high-profile beefs, most notably with Meek Mill and Pusha T, the simmering tension with Kendrick remained. It wasn’t until October 2023 that J. Cole unintentionally reignited the Drake-Kendrick Lamar feud on the track “First Person Shooter,” featuring Drake. Cole rapped, “Love when they argue the hardest MC / Is it K-Dot? Is it Aubrey? Or me?” referencing Kendrick Lamar (“K-Dot”) and Drake (“Aubrey Graham”). He further added, “We the big three like we started a league / but right now, I feel like Muhammad Ali.” This “Big Three” acknowledgment, placing Drake, Kendrick, and Cole at the pinnacle of rap, inadvertently set the stage for the current explosive conflict.
March 2024: “Like That” – The Diss Heard Around the World
The current escalation began in March 2024 with the release of Future and Metro Boomin’s track “Like That.” Kendrick Lamar’s verse on this track served as a direct and undeniable diss towards Drake and J. Cole. Responding to J. Cole’s “Big Three” comment, Lamar rapped, “The big three? It’s just big me,” emphatically rejecting the notion of equality and asserting his dominance. He further intensified the diss by referencing Drake’s album “For All the Dogs” and drawing a comparison to music icons Prince and Michael Jackson, rapping “Prince outlived Mike Jack,” seemingly positioning himself as Prince in this analogy, implicitly suggesting Drake is Michael Jackson in a less favorable light.
J. Cole initially responded with “7 Minute Drill,” but swiftly retracted it and apologized, seemingly bowing out of the escalating feud. Drake, however, was not silent.
April – May 2024: Diss Track Warfare – Escalation and Retaliation
April and May 2024 witnessed an unprecedented barrage of diss tracks exchanged between Drake and Kendrick Lamar, escalating the feud to previously unimaginable heights.
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April 13: Drake’s “Push Ups” Leaks: Drake responded with “Push Ups,” leaked and later officially released. In this track, Drake directly targeted Lamar, dismissing his “Big Three” claim and referencing other artists like SZA, Travis Scott, and 21 Savage, suggesting Lamar is less impactful than them. Drake also seemingly took aim at Future, Metro Boomin, Rick Ross, and The Weeknd, provoking further responses from some of these artists, notably Rick Ross who released a diss track of his own.
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April 24: Drake’s “Taylor Made Freestyle”: Drake doubled down with “Taylor Made Freestyle,” controversially using AI-generated vocals of Tupac and Snoop Dogg, both significant influences for Kendrick Lamar. Drake accused Lamar of delaying his response due to Taylor Swift’s album release (“The Tortured Poets Department,” with whom Lamar collaborated on “Bad Blood”). Legal threats from Tupac’s estate forced Drake to remove the song.
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April 30: Kendrick Lamar’s “Euphoria”: Kendrick unleashed the scathing six-and-a-half-minute track “Euphoria.” This track was a comprehensive assault on Drake’s character, rapping skills, alleged use of AI, physical appearance, racial identity, and parenting. The title itself, “Euphoria,” is a pointed reference to the HBO series of which Drake is an executive producer, adding a layer of personal insult.
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May 3: Kendrick Lamar’s “6:16 in LA”: Continuing his offensive, Lamar dropped “6:16 in LA,” targeting Drake’s OVO crew and suggesting internal dissent within Drake’s camp. The track was produced by Sounwave and Jack Antonoff, the latter notably Taylor Swift’s producer, adding another layer of intrigue given Drake’s previous Taylor Swift diss track.
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May 3: Drake’s “Family Matters”: Drake retaliated swiftly with “Family Matters,” accompanied by a music video. This nearly eight-minute track shifted the focus to personal attacks, alleging abuse and infidelity in Kendrick Lamar’s relationship.
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May 4: Kendrick Lamar’s “Meet the Grahams”: Within hours, Lamar responded with “Meet the Grahams,” a deeply personal and disturbing track. Lamar addressed Drake’s son, Drake’s parents, and alleged the existence of a secret daughter, labeling Drake a “predator” without explicitly detailing the accusation.
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May 4: Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us”: Continuing the relentless assault, Lamar released “Not Like Us” hours later, produced by DJ Mustard. This track contained explicit accusations, rapping, “Say, Drake, I hear you like ’em young / You better not ever go to cell block one,” strongly implying predatory behavior.
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May 5: Drake’s “The Heart Part 6”: Drake responded with “The Heart Part 6,” referencing Lamar’s “The Heart” series. Drake challenged Lamar’s allegations, doubled down on his own accusations, and denied having a secret daughter. The tone of this track was notably less aggressive, with Drake sounding almost resigned, suggesting a possible end to his barrage of responses.
Why the Hate? Unpacking the Root of the Beef
So, why does Kendrick hate Drake? While the diss tracks provide a play-by-play of the escalating accusations and insults, the underlying reasons for this intense animosity are multifaceted:
- Competitive Spirit and Rap Supremacy: At its core, hip-hop is competitive. Both Drake and Kendrick Lamar are intensely competitive artists vying for the top spot in the rap game. Kendrick’s initial “Control” verse set the stage for this competitive dynamic. The “Big Three” debate further fueled the fire, with Kendrick explicitly rejecting any perceived parity.
- Ego and Pride: In the high-stakes world of hip-hop, ego and pride are significant factors. Both artists have massive egos and a strong sense of self-belief in their artistic abilities. Being challenged or perceived as inferior can trigger strong reactions and fuel the desire to assert dominance.
- Lyrical Beef and Diss Culture: Diss tracks are a long-standing tradition in hip-hop. They are a form of lyrical combat, a way for artists to prove their lyrical superiority and verbally dismantle their rivals. The current feud is a hyper-escalated example of this diss culture.
- Personal Grievances and Accusations: Beyond the competitive aspect, the diss tracks have delved into deeply personal territory, with accusations ranging from character flaws and questionable behavior to serious allegations about personal lives and actions. These personal attacks suggest that the beef may stem from more than just professional rivalry, potentially involving personal disagreements or perceived slights that have festered over time.
Conclusion: A Hip-Hop Feud for the Ages
The Drake-Kendrick Lamar feud is more than just a series of diss tracks; it’s a cultural phenomenon, a clash of titans in the rap world. Why does Kendrick hate Drake? The answer lies in a complex mix of competitive spirit, ego, hip-hop tradition, and potentially deeper personal issues. Regardless of the specific reasons, this beef has undeniably left an indelible mark on hip-hop history, captivating audiences and sparking intense debate about artistry, rivalry, and the boundaries of diss culture. Whether this feud will continue to escalate or eventually subside remains to be seen, but its impact on the hip-hop landscape is undeniable.
