Kendrick Lamar and Drake's Feud; A Hip-Hop Rivalry Reaches New Heights
Kendrick Lamar and Drake’s long-standing feud reached new heights in 2024, culminating in a series of diss tracks and public accusations that have captivated the hip-hop world. The rivalry, which dates back over a decade, reignited last year when Lamar released “Not Like Us,” a scathing track that accused Drake of inappropriate relationships with underage women, among other allegations. The song became a massive hit, topping the Billboard charts and winning multiple Grammy Awards, including Song of the Year.
The feud escalated with both artists releasing multiple diss tracks, each containing deeply personal and controversial claims. Lamar’s “Not Like Us” accused Drake and his associates of being “certified pedophiles,” while Drake retaliated with tracks like “Family Matters,” which speculated about Lamar’s personal life, including allegations of domestic abuse. Both artists have denied the accusations made against them.
The tension between the two rappers has been fueled by years of subliminal jabs and competitive lyrics. Lamar first took aim at Drake in 2013 on Big Sean’s track “Control,” where he called out several rappers, including Drake, for not being on his level. Over the years, the two have traded subtle shots in their music, but the 2024 feud brought their animosity into the open.
The controversy surrounding “Not Like Us” intensified when Drake filed a lawsuit against Universal Music Group (UMG), accusing the label of promoting the song to create a viral hit at his expense. Drake’s legal team claimed the song’s allegations led to threats against his safety and forced him to relocate his family. UMG denied the claims, calling the lawsuit “illogical” and accusing Drake of trying to silence Lamar’s creative expression.
The feud reached a dramatic climax during Lamar’s Super Bowl 59 halftime performance, where he teased and eventually performed “Not Like Us” to a global audience of over 120 million viewers. The performance, which included a surprise appearance by tennis star Serena Williams—a reported ex of Drake—was seen as a symbolic victory lap for Lamar. Despite the legal challenges, the song’s popularity remains undiminished, solidifying its place as a cultural phenomenon.
As the dust settles, the feud between Kendrick Lamar and Drake continues to dominate headlines, with both artists maintaining their positions as titans of the rap industry. Whether the rivalry will escalate further or fade into history remains to be seen, but its impact on hip-hop culture is undeniable.
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Post-Super Bowl, here's an explainer of everything you need to get caught up after Kendrick Lamar's reference-heavy performance.
www.usatoday.com
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After Lamar's show, a reminder of where we are now in the big rap feud, and exactly how we got here.
www.bbc.com
'Not Like Us' at Super Bowl 59? Origins of the song fueled by Drake, Kendrick Lamar's feud
Before Kendrick Lamar performs at Super Bowl 59, his song 'Not Like Us' continues to be a hot topic as it originated from a multi-year feud with Drake
www.usatoday.com
Kendrick Lamar slams Drake in diss track Not Like Us at Super Bowl halftime show
KENDRICK Lamar has slammed his rival Drake on the world’s biggest stage as he performed the scathing diss track Not Like Us at the Super Bowl Halftime
www.the-sun.com