Rapper Kendrick Lamar seems on the MTV Video Music Awards, on Aug. 27, 2017, in Inglewood, Calif., left, and Canadian rapper Drake seems on the premiere of the sequence “Euphoria,” in Los Angeles on June 4, 2019. (AP Photograph)
In one of many largest beefs in latest hip-hop historical past, Drake and Kendrick Lamar are feuding — to the purpose that police have been requested about their feud after a safety guard was shot outdoors the previous’s Toronto mansion on Tuesday.
But it surely wasn’t all the time this manner.
Over a decade in the past, the pair collaborated on a couple of songs: On Drake’s 2011 observe “Buried Alive Interlude,” on Lamar’s 2012 launch “Poetic Justice,” and on A$AP Rocky’s “(Expletive) ‘ Issues” that very same 12 months.
That didn’t final very lengthy. In 2013, Pulitzer Prize winner Lamar was featured on Huge Sean’s “Management,” during which he known as out a slew of up to date rappers together with Drake, J. Cole, Meek Mill, Pusha T, A$AP Rocky, Huge Okay.R.I.T., Wale, Pusha T and even Huge Sean amongst them.
“I received love for you all, however I’m making an attempt to homicide you,” he rapped. “Making an attempt to ensure your core followers by no means heard of you.”
Drake responded in a Billboard cowl story, saying “I do know good and effectively that Kendrick’s not murdering me, in any respect, in any platform.” Shortly afterward, on the 2013 BET Hip-Hop Awards, Lamar took one other jab at Drake.
Over the subsequent few years, the rappers launched disses at one another with much less frequency. Drake had different beefs with different performers, like Meek Mill in 2015, and most infamously Pusha T in 2018, the place the latter rapper dropped “The Story of Adidon,” revealing Drake is a father.
In October 2023, J. Cole maybe unintentionally reignited the meat on “First Individual Shooter” with Drake. He rapped “Love after they argue the toughest MC / Is it Okay-Dot? Is it Aubrey? Or me?” referencing Lamar and Drake’s beginning identify, Aubrey Graham. “We the massive three like we began a league / however proper now, I really feel like Muhammad Ali.”
Which brings us to the present second. Right here’s a timeline of the developments in latest weeks — it ought to be famous that diss tracks between rappers usually embody exaggerated truths and unsubstantiated rumors for dramatic impact, and that police haven’t stated the feud led to Tuesday’s taking pictures.
March 22: Lamar disses Drake on Future and Metro Boomin’s “Like That”
“The large three,” Lamar raps, referencing J. Cole’s boast. “It’s simply large me.”
He references Drake’s 2023 album “For All of the Canine,” and likewise compares himself to Prince and Drake to Michael Jackson: “Prince outlived Mike Jack.”
J. Cole quickly releases a response, “7 Minute Drill,” however shortly apologizes for it onstage at his Dreamville Pageant in Raleigh, N.C.
April 13: Drake’s “Push Ups” leaks
Drake’s response is leaked and later premiered by DJ Akademiks. “You ain’t in no Huge Three, SZA received you wiped down, Travis received you wiped down, Savage received you wiped down,” he raps about Lamar.
It additionally assumed Drake takes goal at Future, Metro Boomin, Rick Ross and The Weeknd — Ross releases a response observe shortly afterward.
April 24: Drake responds with a second, AI-assisted diss observe, “Taylor Made Freestyle”
Drake’s second diss observe used synthetic intelligence know-how to incorporate verses from Tupac and Snoop Dogg, two of Lamar’s influences. In his personal verse, Drake accuses Lamar of delaying his response observe due to the approaching launch of Taylor Swift ‘s “The Tortured Poets Division.” (Lamar collaborated with Swift on “Unhealthy Blood.”)
Tupac’s property threatened to sue Drake in response, so he eliminated the track from his social channels.
Snoop Dogg responded to the information in a video on Instagram. “They did what? When? How? Are you certain?” he stated. “I’m going again to mattress. Good evening.”
April 30: Lamar hits again with an almost six-and-a-half-minute observe, “Euphoria”
That is the place it will get extra difficult. Lamar’s “Euphoria” hits like an opus, unleashing a slew of allegations in opposition to Drake. He comes after Drake’s abilities as a rapper, use of AI, look, racial identification, and parenting.
“I received a son to lift, however I can see you realize nothin’ ’bout that,” Lamar raps.
The title is a reference to the HBO sequence “Euphoria,” of which Drake is an government producer.
Lamar teases that he’ll go “back-to-back” together with his tracks.
Might 3: Lamar drops a follow-up, “6:16 in LA.”
In Lamar’s subsequent diss, titled after a time and site like Drake is wont to do, Lamar targets the corporate Drizzy retains. “Have you ever ever thought that OVO was working for me? / Pretend bully, I hate bullies,” he raps, referencing Drake’s report label. “You should be a horrible individual / Everybody inside your group is whispering that you simply deserve it.”
In line with Billboard, the track was produced by Sounwave and Jack Antonoff — the latter notably Swift’s longtime producer. It additionally samples Al Inexperienced’s “What a Fantastic Factor Love Is,” on which considered one of Drake’s family performed guitar.
Might 3: Drake launches “Household Issues”
Drake hits again with a music video and an almost eight-minute response, during which he alleges abuse and infidelity in Lamar’s relationship together with his fiancee.
Might 4: Lamar responds with “Meet the Grahams”
Virtually instantly afterward, Lamar releases “Meet the Grahams,” which begins with the rapper addressing Drake’s son: “I’m sorry that man is your father.” Lamar additionally addresses Drake’s dad and mom, and “a child lady,” alleging that Drake has a secret daughter.
He additionally labels Drake a “predator,” with out elaborating.
Might 4: Lower than 24 hours later, Lamar drops “Not Like Us”
Hours later, Lamar doubles down, releasing “Not Like Us,” produced by DJ Mustard.
“Say, Drake, I hear you want ’em younger / You higher not ever go to cell block one,” Lamar raps.
Might 5: Drake softens his blows on “The Coronary heart Half 6”
Referencing Lamar’s “The Coronary heart” sequence, he drops “The Coronary heart Half 6” in response. Within the track, which samples Aretha Franklin’s “Show It,” Drake challenges Lamar’s allegations, doubles down on his personal in opposition to him, and says that he doesn’t have a secret daughter.
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He sounds notably torpid on the track — doubtlessly taking a ultimate bow with verses like, “You understand, at the least your followers are gettin’ some raps out of you / I’m completely happy I might encourage you.”
