Kendrick Lamar Duckworth, hailing from Compton, California, and Aubrey "Drake" Graham, raised in Toronto, Canada, represent two distinct corners of the hip-hop landscape. Their paths wouldn't necessarily have crossed in the early days.
While Kendrick rose to fame with the critically acclaimed mixtape Overly Dedicated (2010) and the concept album masterpiece good kid, m.A.A.d City (2012), Drake was building a fanbase with his introspective rhymes on albums like So Far Gone (2009) and the global smash Take Care (2011).
There wasn't animosity in these early days, perhaps even a hint of mutual respect. Drake name-checked Kendrick in interviews, acknowledging his talent. However, the seeds of a potential rivalry might have been sown with the immense critical acclaim Kendrick received for good kid, m.A.A.d City, an album many saw as a superior work to Drake's commercially successful but lyrically lighter Take Care.
The release of good kid, m.A.A.d City and Take Care in 2012 marked a turning point. Both albums were massive successes, but they represented different approaches to hip-hop. GKMC was a raw, socially conscious masterpiece, while Take Care explored themes of love, heartbreak, and fame with a more introspective and commercially accessible sound.
This contrast, coupled with Kendrick's rising critical acclaim, might have fueled a competitive spirit. While there were no direct disses, some fans felt a subtle shift in the dynamic between the two rappers.
The first hints of a potential feud emerged with the releases of Kendrick Lamar's Control verse on Big Sean's track "Control" (2013) and Drake's response on his own song "Started From the Bottom" (2013).
Control is a braggadocious verse where Kendrick claims to be the "King of New York" and asserts his dominance in the rap game. The verse sent shockwaves through the industry, with many rappers taking it as a challenge.
While not explicitly naming Drake, some fans interpreted Kendrick's lyrics as a veiled jab at the commercially-driven sound Drake championed. Drake's response on "Started From the Bottom" was seen as a defense, highlighting his struggles and rise to fame.
Though not a direct attack, this exchange marked a shift in the public perception of their relationship. The once seemingly cordial atmosphere was replaced with a sense of underlying tension.
The simmering tension between Kendrick Lamar and Drake occasionally bubbled over at award shows. The 2014 BET Awards marked a turning point in the public perception of Kendrick Lamar and Drake's relationship. Kendrick won Best Male Hip Hop Artist, edging out Drake for the coveted award. While Kendrick's acceptance speech was gracious, some saw Drake's facial expressions and body language as conveying disappointment or even annoyance.
This was further fueled by speculation that Drake's since-deleted Instagram post following the ceremony was directed at Kendrick. The post, a picture of the award trophy with the caption "they don't really care about us," added fuel to the fire, with fans interpreting it as a sour grapes reaction to Kendrick's win.
The following year, at the 2015 Grammy Awards, Kendrick Lamar took home Album of the Year for his critically acclaimed masterpiece To Pimp a Butterfly (2015). Drake, nominated for the same award for his mixtape If You're Reading This It's Too Late (2015), was again absent during Kendrick's acceptance speech.
These award show moments, though brief, became significant events in the narrative of the supposed feud. The media latched onto them, and fans used them as evidence of a growing animosity between the two rappers.
In 2017, Kendrick Lamar seemingly reignited the fire with the release of his album DAMN.. The track "HUMBLE." became a massive hit, but it was another song, "FEAR.," that sent shockwaves through the hip-hop world.
The song features a verse often interpreted as a direct diss towards Drake. Lines like "Sitting back, watching you n****s win / Love it when you fall off, that's the rapper's sin" and "Your whole fanbase is angry at the world / That's what it turned into, this rap game's a curse" were seen as clear shots at Drake's dominance and the negativity surrounding his fanbase.
This was the most direct and aggressive Kendrick had ever been towards Drake. The verse sparked a flurry of discussions, debates, and dissections online, solidifying the idea of a full-blown feud in the minds of many fans.
Despite the "FEAR." verse and award show shade, there have been glimpses of a potential thaw in the relationship. In 2018, Drake gave a shoutout to Kendrick Lamar during a concert, acknowledging his talent and impact on the industry.
Additionally, neither rapper has ever explicitly confirmed a feud. Interviews with their collaborators have also hinted at a more respectful and cordial dynamic behind the scenes.
However, the lack of confirmed collaboration and the occasional cryptic lyric keeps the rumor mill churning.
The music industry is rife with speculation, and the rumored Kendrick Lamar-Drake feud is no exception. Industry insiders often offer their opinions on the situation, but it's important to take these with a grain of salt.
Some speculate that the "feud" is a manufactured narrative, a media creation to drum up interest and sell records. Others believe there might be genuine competitiveness but not outright animosity.
Without concrete evidence from the rappers themselves, it's difficult to know for sure what goes on behind closed doors.
While there might not be a full-blown diss track war, the lyrics of both Kendrick Lamar and Drake can be interpreted as containing veiled references to each other.
For example, some fans believe Drake's line "They love it when you fall off" from "Started From the Bottom" is a response to Kendrick's claim to be the "King of New York" on "Control."
Similarly, lines in Kendrick's "FEAR." verse about a rapper with an angry fanbase and commercially driven music can be seen as alluding to Drake.
However, it's important to remember that these interpretations are subjective. Rappers often use wordplay and metaphors, making it difficult to definitively say whether a lyric is a diss or not.
Regardless of the state of their relationship, both Kendrick Lamar and Drake have carved their names in hip-hop history. Kendrick is known for his socially conscious lyricism and dense, layered albums. Drake, on the other hand, is a master of catchy hooks and introspective storytelling.
Their different styles have pushed the boundaries of hip-hop and garnered them legions of fans worldwide. The supposed feud, if it even exists, shouldn't overshadow the immense contribution each rapper has made to the genre.
The relationship between Kendrick Lamar and Drake remains an enigma. The award show shade, cryptic lyrics, and the "FEAR." verse paint a picture of potential animosity. However, the lack of confirmation from either rapper, industry speculation of a manufactured narrative, and glimpses of respect leave room for doubt.
