February 7, 2025 • 18 mins
The long-standing rivalry between Kendrick Lamar and Drake escalated in 2024-2025 with a series of diss tracks, legal battles, and a cultural impact that shaped modern hip-hop. Lamar’s song "Not Like Us" became a pivotal moment in the feud, gaining massive commercial success and winning multiple Grammy Awards. The controversy deepened when Drake filed a defamation lawsuit against Lamar and Universal Music Group. As Lamar prepares for a potentially controversial Super Bowl halftime show, his dominance in the rap game appears solidified, marking one of the most defining moments in his career.
This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI
This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
All right, So we've got a mountain of articles and
(00:04):
interviews you've dropped on me here about this Kendrick Lamar
Drake rivalry, and I'm assuming you want to know what's
really going on, you know, behind all the headlines. So
consider this like your crash course in hip hop history.
I guess yeah, I think we should start by, you know,
introducing ourselves real quick for the listeners who are just
tuning in.
Speaker 2 (00:24):
Sure thing. I'm a music journalist and I've been following
these two artists' careers since like basically the beginning.
Speaker 1 (00:31):
Yeah, and I'm I'm the host here and I'm definitely
a fan of both, but I'll admit I'm not as
as deep in the weeds as you are when it
comes like all the little details of this rivalry. So
I think our goal today is to kind of break
down like the key moments in this feud. Okay, the music,
you know, how it's impacting both of their careers, and
(00:52):
then you know, with Lamar about to hit the Super
Bowl halftime stage, I feel like the timing couldn't be
more perfect. Oh.
Speaker 2 (00:57):
Absolutely, this is like adding fuel to the fire. It
gonna be interesting to see what happens So where.
Speaker 1 (01:02):
Do we even start with all this? I mean, where
does this rivalry even begin?
Speaker 2 (01:05):
Well, I think what's so fascinating about this is it's
not just too deeper than that. Oh yeah, this is
about like different philosophies of what hip hop is and
what it means to be like authentic, how an artist
builds a legacy. It's like a whole thing.
Speaker 3 (01:22):
It's like a Yeah, it's like a chess match, Yeah,
almost exactly.
Speaker 1 (01:26):
But instead of ponds and bishops, you know, it's versus
and beats. So to really understand the game here, yeah,
I think we got to rewind all the way back
to twenty thirteen. Okay, when Kendrick Lamar dropped that verse
on Big Sean's Control, Yeah, and he called out like
a whole bunch of rappers, including Drake he did, and
(01:47):
the hip hop world just went nuts.
Speaker 2 (01:48):
Absolutely, I mean everyone was talking about it.
Speaker 1 (01:50):
So what was the reaction like back then? Was it
seen as like a serious diss or was it more
like just friendly competition?
Speaker 2 (01:58):
You know, I think at the time a lot of
folks saw it as like healthy competition, you know, just
rappers like pushing each other to be better, right, like
a sparring match exactly, like lyrical sparring. Yeah, but looking back,
I think that verse like planted a seed. It established
Lamar as someone who's not afraid to shake things up, right,
(02:20):
and it hinted at this rivalry that would like simmer
for years.
Speaker 1 (02:24):
Okay, So so things stayed relatively quiet for a while
on the surface, I guess, yeah, But underneath, like, were
there some subliminal shots fired? Oh?
Speaker 2 (02:31):
Definitely. It was like this low key tension, right. Drake
would release a track that seemed to be aimed at Lamar,
and then Lamar would respond with something equally.
Speaker 3 (02:39):
Cryptic, like they were speaking in code exactly, and the
fans are just left to like try to figure out
what's going on. Absolutely, So, can you give us example
of one of those early tracks where we can kind
of see this tension bubbling up?
Speaker 1 (02:51):
Oh?
Speaker 2 (02:51):
Yeah, So there's this track five Am in Toronto by
Drake and he had this line where he says, I'm
focused on making history, not friends, And you know, it's subtle,
but you could interpret that as a dig at Lamar's
control verse, interesting, which was all about challenging his peers, right.
Speaker 1 (03:09):
Okay, So fast forward to twenty twenty three mm hmm.
J Cole drops first person shooter.
Speaker 2 (03:14):
Oh yeah, that was a big one.
Speaker 1 (03:16):
And he kind of crowns himself, Drake and Lamar as
like the Big three of rap.
Speaker 2 (03:22):
He did it was like he was trying to solidify
their place in history, right, but Lamar wasn't having it
really nope.
Speaker 1 (03:29):
So how did Lamar respond to that?
Speaker 2 (03:31):
He responded with like that in early twenty twenty four,
and it was a direct shot.
Speaker 1 (03:36):
Wow.
Speaker 2 (03:36):
He called the whole big three idea a fairy tale,
oh man. And then he goes on to say, chasin
trends is for the birds. Stay true to your word.
Speaker 1 (03:44):
So he's basically saying like I'm not playing this game exactly.
Speaker 2 (03:47):
He's like, I'm doing my own thing.
Speaker 1 (03:48):
All right. So that's where the gloves come off.
Speaker 2 (03:50):
Yeah, things get real.
Speaker 1 (03:51):
We enter the era of full blown.
Speaker 2 (03:53):
Distracks distracts galore.
Speaker 1 (03:55):
So Drake fires back with pushups, right.
Speaker 2 (03:57):
That's right, and he uses this like really melodic flow,
almost like he's mocking Lamar's aggressive style.
Speaker 1 (04:04):
Interesting, and he says.
Speaker 2 (04:05):
They call you a king, but your crown's looking flimsy.
Speaker 1 (04:09):
So he's attacking his street cred based exactly.
Speaker 2 (04:11):
He's questioning Lamar's authenticity and his place at the top.
Speaker 1 (04:16):
So how did Lamar respond to that one?
Speaker 2 (04:18):
He came back with six point one six in La Okay.
This track felt like raw and almost confessional. It wasn't
just about lyrical skill anymore. It was getting personal. Yeah,
he's wrapping about betrayal, fake friends, the pressure of fame,
like you could feel the emotion.
Speaker 1 (04:34):
But then not like Us drops.
Speaker 2 (04:36):
Oh yeah, that one blew everything up.
Speaker 1 (04:38):
That was the one that really set the hip hop
world on fire.
Speaker 2 (04:41):
It did.
Speaker 1 (04:42):
It wasn't just like a typical distrack.
Speaker 2 (04:43):
No, it went way beyond that.
Speaker 1 (04:45):
He accused Drake of some serious misconduct.
Speaker 2 (04:48):
Yeah, stuff that you don't usually hear in these kinds.
Speaker 1 (04:50):
Of battles, right right, So it was a whiskey move,
but it definitely paid off.
Speaker 2 (04:53):
It did not, like Us, top the charts. It won
five Grammys, five Grammys including Record and Song of the Year.
Speaker 1 (05:00):
Huge.
Speaker 2 (05:01):
Yeah, and winning those Grammys, especially with a song that
was so controversial, it really solidified Lamar's position.
Speaker 1 (05:08):
It's like winning the championship game but also calling out
your rival's dirty plays at the same.
Speaker 2 (05:12):
Time, exactly, and those awards carry a lot of weight
in the industry. Yeah, they're not just about popularity. It's
recognition from your peers, right, from the people who make
music their life's work.
Speaker 1 (05:24):
Yeah, it's a powerful statement.
Speaker 2 (05:25):
Absolutely.
Speaker 1 (05:26):
So Drake obviously didn't stay silent after that, of course not.
Speaker 2 (05:30):
He fired back with Tailor Made Freestyle Okay, where he
targeted Lamar's relationship with Top Dog Entertainment, his label. Yeah,
he implied they were manipulating things behind the scenes.
Speaker 1 (05:42):
So he's going after the business side of.
Speaker 2 (05:43):
Things now exactly. He's trying to hit Lamar where it hurts.
Speaker 1 (05:46):
And that's when things take a turn from the music
charts to the courtroom. Drake filed a defamation.
Speaker 2 (05:52):
Lawsuit against Lamar and Universal Music.
Speaker 1 (05:55):
Group, which distributes Lamar's music. Yeah, so he's saying not
like us, contained and false information, that it's damaging to
his reputation.
Speaker 2 (06:03):
Right. And he also claimed that UMG was artificially inflating
Lamar's streaming numbers.
Speaker 1 (06:08):
To make him look even bigger. Yes, exactly, So all
of a sudden, this isn't just a battle for hip
hop supremacy.
Speaker 2 (06:13):
No, it's a legal battle with real consequences.
Speaker 1 (06:16):
Well, this just got real, it did, and it.
Speaker 2 (06:19):
Really shows how this rivalry is playing out on multiple levels. Right,
It's about the music, the image, the power exactly. It's
like they're playing three D chess, Yeah.
Speaker 1 (06:28):
With moves impacting each other's you know, creative output, public perception,
even their business deals.
Speaker 2 (06:36):
And that complexity. That's what makes his rivalry so captivating.
Speaker 1 (06:39):
Right. It's not just about who can write the best
verst anymore. Nope, It's about who can control the narrative,
who can shape the conversation absolutely, and ultimately who comes
out on top.
Speaker 2 (06:49):
That's the big question.
Speaker 1 (06:50):
Yeah, I have to wait and see. All right, So
we've got this legal battle brewing, distracts, flying back and forth,
and all eyes are on Kendrick Lamar as he prepares
for this super Bowl halftime show.
Speaker 2 (07:02):
Yeah, it feels like we're at a crossroads.
Speaker 1 (07:04):
It does feel like a moment that could define the
next chapter of this whole rivalry. Like, we've got this
legal battle happening, distracts, you know, flying back and forth. Yeah,
and then all eyes are on Lamar, you know, as
he gets ready for this super Bowl performance. Yeah, it's
a it's a big moment.
Speaker 2 (07:22):
It is a huge moment, and it kind of feels.
Speaker 1 (07:24):
Like we're at a crossroads here, you know.
Speaker 2 (07:27):
Oh, absolutely, the.
Speaker 1 (07:27):
Moment that could define like the next chapter in this
whole rivalry.
Speaker 2 (07:32):
Yeah. I think it's important to remember too that this
this feud, it isn't just playing out in the music
right in the courtroom, you know, it's also a reflection
of a larger conversation that's happening within hip hop.
Speaker 1 (07:43):
That's interesting.
Speaker 2 (07:44):
Yeah, these two artists represent very different paths to success, ok,
different ideas about authenticity, what it means to be a
real rapper, you know.
Speaker 1 (07:53):
Yeah. You mentioned earlier that Drake is often seen as
more pop leaning. Yeah, like someone who's super sick, sccessful commercially,
but maybe not always taken as seriously by like the
hip hop purists. Right, how does that contrast with Lamar's image.
Speaker 2 (08:08):
Well, with Drake, there's this perception that he's more focused
on creating hits, on maintaining his position on the charts. Yeah,
he's not afraid to experiment with different sounds, to collaborate
with pop stars, you know, to embrace a more commercial esthetic, right, and.
Speaker 1 (08:25):
That's been incredibly successful for him, Oh, wildly successful. And
he's one of the biggest selling music artists of all time.
He's a global icon, but some critics would say that
he's sacrificed some of that raw, gritty edge that's traditionally
associated with hip hop exactly, like that that old school feel.
Speaker 2 (08:42):
Yeah, and that's kind of where Lamar comes in. He's
often seen as the antithesis of Drake, you know, the
artist who's willing to challenge conventions, to tackle difficult topics, right,
to push the boundaries of what hip hop can be.
Speaker 1 (08:57):
Even if it means like sacrificing some of that commercial
appeal exactly.
Speaker 2 (09:01):
He's not afraid to alienate a portion of the audience.
Speaker 1 (09:04):
So it's almost like a battle between two different philosophies
of hip hop. On one side, you have Drake representing
commercial success, mainstream appeal, and then on the other you
have Lamar, you know, championing artistic integrity and social consciousness.
Speaker 2 (09:21):
It is a fascinating dynamic, it really is, and it
raises the question like can those two approaches coexist or
does one inevitably come at the expense of the other.
Speaker 1 (09:30):
And that brings us back to the super Bowl, you know,
performing not like us on that stage would be a
massive statement, Like it's Lamar doubling down on his commitment
to challenging the status quo, to using his platform to
you know, spark conversation, maybe even make people a little uncomfortable.
Speaker 2 (09:53):
Yeah, he wouldn't shy away from the controversy, and it'd
be a huge risk too, Oh, absolutely, Yeah, he'd be
opening himself up to backlash from drinks fans, most fell yeah,
sponsors who might not want to be associated with such
a controversial performance.
Speaker 1 (10:06):
But Lamar's never been one to shy away from controversy right.
In fact, it's almost like part of his DNA as
an artist.
Speaker 2 (10:11):
Yeah, it seems like he thrives on it.
Speaker 1 (10:13):
Part of what makes him so compelling.
Speaker 2 (10:15):
Yeah, you know, absolutely, he's not afraid to push buttons,
to provoke reactions, to make people.
Speaker 1 (10:20):
Think, and that really resonates with a lot of hip
hop fans, it does, especially those who feel like the
genres become too commercialized, too sanitized. Now we've got to
acknowledge that this rivalry goes beyond just creative differences, you know. Oh,
for sure, there's genuine animosity there, fueled by years of distracts,
(10:44):
legal battles, personal attacks. Yeah, that's hard to imagine these
two guys like sitting down for friendly cup of coffee
anytime soon.
Speaker 2 (10:52):
I don't see that happening.
Speaker 1 (10:53):
So it's important, you know, to not romanticize this feud. Ye,
it's not a feel good story, right. There's real hurt,
there's real anger, absolutely, But even with all that baggage,
I think there's still a sense of mutual respect.
Speaker 2 (11:05):
I think so too.
Speaker 1 (11:06):
You know, they recognize each other's talent, oh yeah, and
they're both pushing each other to be better artists.
Speaker 2 (11:11):
I think that's what makes this rivalry so compelling.
Speaker 1 (11:14):
It is compelling, you know.
Speaker 2 (11:15):
It's a reminder that even in a genre that celebrates
bravado and confrontation, there's room for complexity, nuance.
Speaker 1 (11:23):
And a deep passion for the art form.
Speaker 2 (11:25):
Absolutely.
Speaker 1 (11:26):
Speaking of complexity, I think it's important to acknowledge that
this rivalry is also playing out against a backdrop of
social and cultural issues. We're talking about two black artists,
both incredibly successful, yeah, but also navigating a music industry
that has a long history of exploiting and marginalizing black creators.
(11:51):
That's a crucial point, you know, their success, their rivalry,
their impact on the culture. It can't be separated from
the larger context of race and representation in America.
Speaker 2 (12:00):
And that adds another layer to this whole story.
Speaker 1 (12:03):
It does it's not.
Speaker 2 (12:04):
Just about two guys battling it out for the top spot. Yeah,
It's about what their success represents. What it means for
black artists to be able to control their narratives, to
challenge the status quo, to define their own terms of success.
Speaker 1 (12:18):
And that's a powerful message.
Speaker 2 (12:19):
It is regardless of who wins this rivalry.
Speaker 1 (12:22):
So as we head into this super Bowl performance, I'm
curious what are you watching for.
Speaker 2 (12:28):
That's a good question.
Speaker 1 (12:29):
What are some of the key things that will tell
us where this rivalry is headed?
Speaker 2 (12:33):
Well, I'm definitely paying attention to the set list. Yeah,
will Lamar perform not like us?
Speaker 1 (12:39):
That's the big question.
Speaker 2 (12:40):
If he does, what kind of statement is he trying
to make? Is he doubling down on the confrontation or
is he trying to reframe the narrative.
Speaker 1 (12:49):
And beyond the song choices? I'm also interested in like
the overall tone and energy of the performance.
Speaker 2 (12:54):
Yeh.
Speaker 1 (12:55):
Will it be aggressive and defiant or will there be
a sense of vulnerability you know, introspection?
Speaker 2 (13:01):
Those are great questions.
Speaker 1 (13:02):
I think the answers will tell us a lot about
where both of these artists are headed. I agree, you know,
both creatively and personally. Yeah, this has been an incredible
deep dive. It has, but I feel like we've only
scratched the surface.
Speaker 2 (13:15):
I agree, there's.
Speaker 1 (13:15):
So much more to unpack here. Yeah, so much more
to discuss.
Speaker 2 (13:19):
This rivalry is constantly evolving, is it's constantly generating new
storylines and new insights.
Speaker 1 (13:26):
So, you know, as we kind of head into the
final stretch of this deep dive, I keep thinking about
something you said earlier about like how this rivalry reflects
this larger conversation, you know, about what it means to
be a real wrapper. It feels like there's this constant
tension between artistic integrity and commercial success. Yeah, and both
(13:46):
Lamar and Drake are kind of navigating that in very
different ways.
Speaker 2 (13:50):
Yeah. It's a tightrope walk, isn't it.
Speaker 1 (13:51):
It is.
Speaker 2 (13:52):
You have artists who stay true to their roots, they
speak their minds, they push boundaries, even if it means
alienating some fans, we're losing out on some commercial opportunities.
And then you have those artists who are more willing
to adapt, you know, to experiment, to chase trends in
order to reach a wider audience.
Speaker 1 (14:10):
And it's not like one is better than the other, No,
not at all. It's about finding that balance exactly. It
works for you, for your art, for your career, right.
Speaker 2 (14:19):
And I think both Lamar and Drake have been successful
in their own ways.
Speaker 1 (14:22):
They have.
Speaker 2 (14:23):
They've both achieved massive commercial success, they've both won critical acclaim,
and they've both had a profound impact on hip hop culture.
Speaker 1 (14:32):
But their approaches have definitely sparked debate. Oh yeah, especially
within the hip hop community for sure. You know, some
fans feel like Drake has sold out, that he's become
too pop to commercial, while others argue that he's simply evolving,
you know, pushing the genre in new directions exactly. And
then you have Lamar, who's often hailed as like the
(14:53):
savior of hip hop, yeah, the artists, who's keeping it real,
who's not afraid to challenge the status quo.
Speaker 2 (15:00):
Yeah, But even he's faced criticism, you know, accusations of
being too preachy to self righteous.
Speaker 1 (15:07):
It's a good reminder that there's no one right way
to be a rapper, no no single definition of authenticity.
Speaker 2 (15:13):
It's a complex multifaceted genre, and there's room for a
wide range of voices and perspectives.
Speaker 1 (15:19):
And I think that diversity is one of the things
that makes hip hop so vibrant, so exciting.
Speaker 2 (15:24):
Absolutely, there's always something new to discover. Yeah, new artists
pushing the boundaries, new stories being told.
Speaker 1 (15:30):
Speaking of new stories, we can't wrap this up without
talking about the Super Bowl. Oh man, it just happened. Yeah,
and it's already generating a ton of buzz online.
Speaker 2 (15:38):
It was electric, the energy, the visuals, the music. Lamar
just commanded the stage. He curated this set list that
spanned his entire career, highlighting both his lyrical prowess and
his evolution as an artist.
Speaker 1 (15:55):
He really did address the elephant in the room, though, didn't.
Speaker 2 (15:57):
He He did. He performed a rework version of Not
Like Us. Yeah, but it wasn't the in your face
confrontation that I think some people were expecting.
Speaker 1 (16:05):
It was it right.
Speaker 2 (16:06):
It felt more like a statement about resilience, about overcoming adversity.
The lyrics were tweaked, the tone was more introspective. I
noticed that, and he even brought out a gospel choir
for the final chorus.
Speaker 1 (16:19):
It's powerful. It was really powerful. It felt like he
was trying to elevate the message, you know, to move
beyond the personal beef and speak to something larger, I think,
something more universal.
Speaker 2 (16:30):
It was a bold move. It definitely sparked a lot
of conversation.
Speaker 1 (16:34):
It did.
Speaker 2 (16:35):
Some people were disappointed that he didn't go harder, that
he didn't use the platform to reignite the feud, but
others saw it as a sign of maturity, a willingness
to take the high road and focus on his own artistry.
Speaker 1 (16:48):
It's interesting because that seems to be like a recurring
theme throughout this whole rivalry, this tension between confrontation and evolution,
between speaking your mind in choosing.
Speaker 2 (17:00):
Your battles, and I think Lamar's super Bowl performance perfectly
encapsulated that tension.
Speaker 1 (17:06):
I think so too.
Speaker 2 (17:07):
He acknowledged the feud, he acknowledged the hurt. Yeah, but
he also chose to move forward to focus on his
own growth and his own message.
Speaker 1 (17:16):
So where do we go from here?
Speaker 2 (17:17):
That's the million dollar question is I mean, this rivalry
has been full of twists and turns, and I don't
expect that to change anytime soon. But I think Lamar's
super Bowl performance might mark a turning point.
Speaker 1 (17:28):
It should.
Speaker 2 (17:29):
It felt like a closing of a chapter, you know,
a recognition that some battles are best left in the past.
Speaker 1 (17:36):
Maybe this is the beginning of a new phase. It
could be where the focus shifts from the feud to
the music here, you know, from the drama to the artistry.
Speaker 2 (17:45):
That would be an interesting development, It would It would
allow both Lamar and Drake to step out of each
other's shadows and continue to define their own legacies.
Speaker 1 (17:54):
And ultimately, that's what this is all about, right But
it is two artists pushing each other, pushing the boundaries
of hip hop, leaving their.
Speaker 2 (18:02):
Mark on the world, and we the listeners, get to
witness it all unfold. It's a privilege, really to be
able to engage with their music, to dissect their lyrics,
to debate their impact, and to watch as they continue
to shape the culture.
Speaker 1 (18:17):
So as we wrap up this deep dive, I'm going
to leave you with this, pay attention to the music,
to the lyrics, to the choices these artists are making,
because within those details you'll find the real story, the
story of ambition, creativity, and the constant evolution of hip hop.
Well said, thanks for diving deep with us and keep
(18:38):
those conversations going
All right, So we've got a mountain of articles and
(00:04):
interviews you've dropped on me here about this Kendrick Lamar
Drake rivalry, and I'm assuming you want to know what's
really going on, you know, behind all the headlines. So
consider this like your crash course in hip hop history.
I guess yeah, I think we should start by, you know,
introducing ourselves real quick for the listeners who are just
tuning in.
Speaker 2 (00:24):
Sure thing. I'm a music journalist and I've been following
these two artists' careers since like basically the beginning.
Speaker 1 (00:31):
Yeah, and I'm I'm the host here and I'm definitely
a fan of both, but I'll admit I'm not as
as deep in the weeds as you are when it
comes like all the little details of this rivalry. So
I think our goal today is to kind of break
down like the key moments in this feud. Okay, the music,
you know, how it's impacting both of their careers, and
(00:52):
then you know, with Lamar about to hit the Super
Bowl halftime stage, I feel like the timing couldn't be
more perfect. Oh.
Speaker 2 (00:57):
Absolutely, this is like adding fuel to the fire. It
gonna be interesting to see what happens So where.
Speaker 1 (01:02):
Do we even start with all this? I mean, where
does this rivalry even begin?
Speaker 2 (01:05):
Well, I think what's so fascinating about this is it's
not just too deeper than that. Oh yeah, this is
about like different philosophies of what hip hop is and
what it means to be like authentic, how an artist
builds a legacy. It's like a whole thing.
Speaker 3 (01:22):
It's like a Yeah, it's like a chess match, Yeah,
almost exactly.
Speaker 1 (01:26):
But instead of ponds and bishops, you know, it's versus
and beats. So to really understand the game here, yeah,
I think we got to rewind all the way back
to twenty thirteen. Okay, when Kendrick Lamar dropped that verse
on Big Sean's Control, Yeah, and he called out like
a whole bunch of rappers, including Drake he did, and
(01:47):
the hip hop world just went nuts.
Speaker 2 (01:48):
Absolutely, I mean everyone was talking about it.
Speaker 1 (01:50):
So what was the reaction like back then? Was it
seen as like a serious diss or was it more
like just friendly competition?
Speaker 2 (01:58):
You know, I think at the time a lot of
folks saw it as like healthy competition, you know, just
rappers like pushing each other to be better, right, like
a sparring match exactly, like lyrical sparring. Yeah, but looking back,
I think that verse like planted a seed. It established
Lamar as someone who's not afraid to shake things up, right,
(02:20):
and it hinted at this rivalry that would like simmer
for years.
Speaker 1 (02:24):
Okay, So so things stayed relatively quiet for a while
on the surface, I guess, yeah, But underneath, like, were
there some subliminal shots fired? Oh?
Speaker 2 (02:31):
Definitely. It was like this low key tension, right. Drake
would release a track that seemed to be aimed at Lamar,
and then Lamar would respond with something equally.
Speaker 3 (02:39):
Cryptic, like they were speaking in code exactly, and the
fans are just left to like try to figure out
what's going on. Absolutely, So, can you give us example
of one of those early tracks where we can kind
of see this tension bubbling up?
Speaker 1 (02:51):
Oh?
Speaker 2 (02:51):
Yeah, So there's this track five Am in Toronto by
Drake and he had this line where he says, I'm
focused on making history, not friends, And you know, it's subtle,
but you could interpret that as a dig at Lamar's
control verse, interesting, which was all about challenging his peers, right.
Speaker 1 (03:09):
Okay, So fast forward to twenty twenty three mm hmm.
J Cole drops first person shooter.
Speaker 2 (03:14):
Oh yeah, that was a big one.
Speaker 1 (03:16):
And he kind of crowns himself, Drake and Lamar as
like the Big three of rap.
Speaker 2 (03:22):
He did it was like he was trying to solidify
their place in history, right, but Lamar wasn't having it
really nope.
Speaker 1 (03:29):
So how did Lamar respond to that?
Speaker 2 (03:31):
He responded with like that in early twenty twenty four,
and it was a direct shot.
Speaker 1 (03:36):
Wow.
Speaker 2 (03:36):
He called the whole big three idea a fairy tale,
oh man. And then he goes on to say, chasin
trends is for the birds. Stay true to your word.
Speaker 1 (03:44):
So he's basically saying like I'm not playing this game exactly.
Speaker 2 (03:47):
He's like, I'm doing my own thing.
Speaker 1 (03:48):
All right. So that's where the gloves come off.
Speaker 2 (03:50):
Yeah, things get real.
Speaker 1 (03:51):
We enter the era of full blown.
Speaker 2 (03:53):
Distracks distracts galore.
Speaker 1 (03:55):
So Drake fires back with pushups, right.
Speaker 2 (03:57):
That's right, and he uses this like really melodic flow,
almost like he's mocking Lamar's aggressive style.
Speaker 1 (04:04):
Interesting, and he says.
Speaker 2 (04:05):
They call you a king, but your crown's looking flimsy.
Speaker 1 (04:09):
So he's attacking his street cred based exactly.
Speaker 2 (04:11):
He's questioning Lamar's authenticity and his place at the top.
Speaker 1 (04:16):
So how did Lamar respond to that one?
Speaker 2 (04:18):
He came back with six point one six in La Okay.
This track felt like raw and almost confessional. It wasn't
just about lyrical skill anymore. It was getting personal. Yeah,
he's wrapping about betrayal, fake friends, the pressure of fame,
like you could feel the emotion.
Speaker 1 (04:34):
But then not like Us drops.
Speaker 2 (04:36):
Oh yeah, that one blew everything up.
Speaker 1 (04:38):
That was the one that really set the hip hop
world on fire.
Speaker 2 (04:41):
It did.
Speaker 1 (04:42):
It wasn't just like a typical distrack.
Speaker 2 (04:43):
No, it went way beyond that.
Speaker 1 (04:45):
He accused Drake of some serious misconduct.
Speaker 2 (04:48):
Yeah, stuff that you don't usually hear in these kinds.
Speaker 1 (04:50):
Of battles, right right, So it was a whiskey move,
but it definitely paid off.
Speaker 2 (04:53):
It did not, like Us, top the charts. It won
five Grammys, five Grammys including Record and Song of the Year.
Speaker 1 (05:00):
Huge.
Speaker 2 (05:01):
Yeah, and winning those Grammys, especially with a song that
was so controversial, it really solidified Lamar's position.
Speaker 1 (05:08):
It's like winning the championship game but also calling out
your rival's dirty plays at the same.
Speaker 2 (05:12):
Time, exactly, and those awards carry a lot of weight
in the industry. Yeah, they're not just about popularity. It's
recognition from your peers, right, from the people who make
music their life's work.
Speaker 1 (05:24):
Yeah, it's a powerful statement.
Speaker 2 (05:25):
Absolutely.
Speaker 1 (05:26):
So Drake obviously didn't stay silent after that, of course not.
Speaker 2 (05:30):
He fired back with Tailor Made Freestyle Okay, where he
targeted Lamar's relationship with Top Dog Entertainment, his label. Yeah,
he implied they were manipulating things behind the scenes.
Speaker 1 (05:42):
So he's going after the business side of.
Speaker 2 (05:43):
Things now exactly. He's trying to hit Lamar where it hurts.
Speaker 1 (05:46):
And that's when things take a turn from the music
charts to the courtroom. Drake filed a defamation.
Speaker 2 (05:52):
Lawsuit against Lamar and Universal Music.
Speaker 1 (05:55):
Group, which distributes Lamar's music. Yeah, so he's saying not
like us, contained and false information, that it's damaging to
his reputation.
Speaker 2 (06:03):
Right. And he also claimed that UMG was artificially inflating
Lamar's streaming numbers.
Speaker 1 (06:08):
To make him look even bigger. Yes, exactly, So all
of a sudden, this isn't just a battle for hip
hop supremacy.
Speaker 2 (06:13):
No, it's a legal battle with real consequences.
Speaker 1 (06:16):
Well, this just got real, it did, and it.
Speaker 2 (06:19):
Really shows how this rivalry is playing out on multiple levels. Right,
It's about the music, the image, the power exactly. It's
like they're playing three D chess, Yeah.
Speaker 1 (06:28):
With moves impacting each other's you know, creative output, public perception,
even their business deals.
Speaker 2 (06:36):
And that complexity. That's what makes his rivalry so captivating.
Speaker 1 (06:39):
Right. It's not just about who can write the best
verst anymore. Nope, It's about who can control the narrative,
who can shape the conversation absolutely, and ultimately who comes
out on top.
Speaker 2 (06:49):
That's the big question.
Speaker 1 (06:50):
Yeah, I have to wait and see. All right, So
we've got this legal battle brewing, distracts, flying back and forth,
and all eyes are on Kendrick Lamar as he prepares
for this super Bowl halftime show.
Speaker 2 (07:02):
Yeah, it feels like we're at a crossroads.
Speaker 1 (07:04):
It does feel like a moment that could define the
next chapter of this whole rivalry. Like, we've got this
legal battle happening, distracts, you know, flying back and forth. Yeah,
and then all eyes are on Lamar, you know, as
he gets ready for this super Bowl performance. Yeah, it's
a it's a big moment.
Speaker 2 (07:22):
It is a huge moment, and it kind of feels.
Speaker 1 (07:24):
Like we're at a crossroads here, you know.
Speaker 2 (07:27):
Oh, absolutely, the.
Speaker 1 (07:27):
Moment that could define like the next chapter in this
whole rivalry.
Speaker 2 (07:32):
Yeah. I think it's important to remember too that this
this feud, it isn't just playing out in the music
right in the courtroom, you know, it's also a reflection
of a larger conversation that's happening within hip hop.
Speaker 1 (07:43):
That's interesting.
Speaker 2 (07:44):
Yeah, these two artists represent very different paths to success, ok,
different ideas about authenticity, what it means to be a
real rapper, you know.
Speaker 1 (07:53):
Yeah. You mentioned earlier that Drake is often seen as
more pop leaning. Yeah, like someone who's super sick, sccessful commercially,
but maybe not always taken as seriously by like the
hip hop purists. Right, how does that contrast with Lamar's image.
Speaker 2 (08:08):
Well, with Drake, there's this perception that he's more focused
on creating hits, on maintaining his position on the charts. Yeah,
he's not afraid to experiment with different sounds, to collaborate
with pop stars, you know, to embrace a more commercial esthetic, right, and.
Speaker 1 (08:25):
That's been incredibly successful for him, Oh, wildly successful. And
he's one of the biggest selling music artists of all time.
He's a global icon, but some critics would say that
he's sacrificed some of that raw, gritty edge that's traditionally
associated with hip hop exactly, like that that old school feel.
Speaker 2 (08:42):
Yeah, and that's kind of where Lamar comes in. He's
often seen as the antithesis of Drake, you know, the
artist who's willing to challenge conventions, to tackle difficult topics, right,
to push the boundaries of what hip hop can be.
Speaker 1 (08:57):
Even if it means like sacrificing some of that commercial
appeal exactly.
Speaker 2 (09:01):
He's not afraid to alienate a portion of the audience.
Speaker 1 (09:04):
So it's almost like a battle between two different philosophies
of hip hop. On one side, you have Drake representing
commercial success, mainstream appeal, and then on the other you
have Lamar, you know, championing artistic integrity and social consciousness.
Speaker 2 (09:21):
It is a fascinating dynamic, it really is, and it
raises the question like can those two approaches coexist or
does one inevitably come at the expense of the other.
Speaker 1 (09:30):
And that brings us back to the super Bowl, you know,
performing not like us on that stage would be a
massive statement, Like it's Lamar doubling down on his commitment
to challenging the status quo, to using his platform to
you know, spark conversation, maybe even make people a little uncomfortable.
Speaker 2 (09:53):
Yeah, he wouldn't shy away from the controversy, and it'd
be a huge risk too, Oh, absolutely, Yeah, he'd be
opening himself up to backlash from drinks fans, most fell yeah,
sponsors who might not want to be associated with such
a controversial performance.
Speaker 1 (10:06):
But Lamar's never been one to shy away from controversy right.
In fact, it's almost like part of his DNA as
an artist.
Speaker 2 (10:11):
Yeah, it seems like he thrives on it.
Speaker 1 (10:13):
Part of what makes him so compelling.
Speaker 2 (10:15):
Yeah, you know, absolutely, he's not afraid to push buttons,
to provoke reactions, to make people.
Speaker 1 (10:20):
Think, and that really resonates with a lot of hip
hop fans, it does, especially those who feel like the
genres become too commercialized, too sanitized. Now we've got to
acknowledge that this rivalry goes beyond just creative differences, you know. Oh,
for sure, there's genuine animosity there, fueled by years of distracts,
(10:44):
legal battles, personal attacks. Yeah, that's hard to imagine these
two guys like sitting down for friendly cup of coffee
anytime soon.
Speaker 2 (10:52):
I don't see that happening.
Speaker 1 (10:53):
So it's important, you know, to not romanticize this feud. Ye,
it's not a feel good story, right. There's real hurt,
there's real anger, absolutely, But even with all that baggage,
I think there's still a sense of mutual respect.
Speaker 2 (11:05):
I think so too.
Speaker 1 (11:06):
You know, they recognize each other's talent, oh yeah, and
they're both pushing each other to be better artists.
Speaker 2 (11:11):
I think that's what makes this rivalry so compelling.
Speaker 1 (11:14):
It is compelling, you know.
Speaker 2 (11:15):
It's a reminder that even in a genre that celebrates
bravado and confrontation, there's room for complexity, nuance.
Speaker 1 (11:23):
And a deep passion for the art form.
Speaker 2 (11:25):
Absolutely.
Speaker 1 (11:26):
Speaking of complexity, I think it's important to acknowledge that
this rivalry is also playing out against a backdrop of
social and cultural issues. We're talking about two black artists,
both incredibly successful, yeah, but also navigating a music industry
that has a long history of exploiting and marginalizing black creators.
(11:51):
That's a crucial point, you know, their success, their rivalry,
their impact on the culture. It can't be separated from
the larger context of race and representation in America.
Speaker 2 (12:00):
And that adds another layer to this whole story.
Speaker 1 (12:03):
It does it's not.
Speaker 2 (12:04):
Just about two guys battling it out for the top spot. Yeah,
It's about what their success represents. What it means for
black artists to be able to control their narratives, to
challenge the status quo, to define their own terms of success.
Speaker 1 (12:18):
And that's a powerful message.
Speaker 2 (12:19):
It is regardless of who wins this rivalry.
Speaker 1 (12:22):
So as we head into this super Bowl performance, I'm
curious what are you watching for.
Speaker 2 (12:28):
That's a good question.
Speaker 1 (12:29):
What are some of the key things that will tell
us where this rivalry is headed?
Speaker 2 (12:33):
Well, I'm definitely paying attention to the set list. Yeah,
will Lamar perform not like us?
Speaker 1 (12:39):
That's the big question.
Speaker 2 (12:40):
If he does, what kind of statement is he trying
to make? Is he doubling down on the confrontation or
is he trying to reframe the narrative.
Speaker 1 (12:49):
And beyond the song choices? I'm also interested in like
the overall tone and energy of the performance.
Speaker 2 (12:54):
Yeh.
Speaker 1 (12:55):
Will it be aggressive and defiant or will there be
a sense of vulnerability you know, introspection?
Speaker 2 (13:01):
Those are great questions.
Speaker 1 (13:02):
I think the answers will tell us a lot about
where both of these artists are headed. I agree, you know,
both creatively and personally. Yeah, this has been an incredible
deep dive. It has, but I feel like we've only
scratched the surface.
Speaker 2 (13:15):
I agree, there's.
Speaker 1 (13:15):
So much more to unpack here. Yeah, so much more
to discuss.
Speaker 2 (13:19):
This rivalry is constantly evolving, is it's constantly generating new
storylines and new insights.
Speaker 1 (13:26):
So, you know, as we kind of head into the
final stretch of this deep dive, I keep thinking about
something you said earlier about like how this rivalry reflects
this larger conversation, you know, about what it means to
be a real wrapper. It feels like there's this constant
tension between artistic integrity and commercial success. Yeah, and both
(13:46):
Lamar and Drake are kind of navigating that in very
different ways.
Speaker 2 (13:50):
Yeah. It's a tightrope walk, isn't it.
Speaker 1 (13:51):
It is.
Speaker 2 (13:52):
You have artists who stay true to their roots, they
speak their minds, they push boundaries, even if it means
alienating some fans, we're losing out on some commercial opportunities.
And then you have those artists who are more willing
to adapt, you know, to experiment, to chase trends in
order to reach a wider audience.
Speaker 1 (14:10):
And it's not like one is better than the other, No,
not at all. It's about finding that balance exactly. It
works for you, for your art, for your career, right.
Speaker 2 (14:19):
And I think both Lamar and Drake have been successful
in their own ways.
Speaker 1 (14:22):
They have.
Speaker 2 (14:23):
They've both achieved massive commercial success, they've both won critical acclaim,
and they've both had a profound impact on hip hop culture.
Speaker 1 (14:32):
But their approaches have definitely sparked debate. Oh yeah, especially
within the hip hop community for sure. You know, some
fans feel like Drake has sold out, that he's become
too pop to commercial, while others argue that he's simply evolving,
you know, pushing the genre in new directions exactly. And
then you have Lamar, who's often hailed as like the
(14:53):
savior of hip hop, yeah, the artists, who's keeping it real,
who's not afraid to challenge the status quo.
Speaker 2 (15:00):
Yeah, But even he's faced criticism, you know, accusations of
being too preachy to self righteous.
Speaker 1 (15:07):
It's a good reminder that there's no one right way
to be a rapper, no no single definition of authenticity.
Speaker 2 (15:13):
It's a complex multifaceted genre, and there's room for a
wide range of voices and perspectives.
Speaker 1 (15:19):
And I think that diversity is one of the things
that makes hip hop so vibrant, so exciting.
Speaker 2 (15:24):
Absolutely, there's always something new to discover. Yeah, new artists
pushing the boundaries, new stories being told.
Speaker 1 (15:30):
Speaking of new stories, we can't wrap this up without
talking about the Super Bowl. Oh man, it just happened. Yeah,
and it's already generating a ton of buzz online.
Speaker 2 (15:38):
It was electric, the energy, the visuals, the music. Lamar
just commanded the stage. He curated this set list that
spanned his entire career, highlighting both his lyrical prowess and
his evolution as an artist.
Speaker 1 (15:55):
He really did address the elephant in the room, though, didn't.
Speaker 2 (15:57):
He He did. He performed a rework version of Not
Like Us. Yeah, but it wasn't the in your face
confrontation that I think some people were expecting.
Speaker 1 (16:05):
It was it right.
Speaker 2 (16:06):
It felt more like a statement about resilience, about overcoming adversity.
The lyrics were tweaked, the tone was more introspective. I
noticed that, and he even brought out a gospel choir
for the final chorus.
Speaker 1 (16:19):
It's powerful. It was really powerful. It felt like he
was trying to elevate the message, you know, to move
beyond the personal beef and speak to something larger, I think,
something more universal.
Speaker 2 (16:30):
It was a bold move. It definitely sparked a lot
of conversation.
Speaker 1 (16:34):
It did.
Speaker 2 (16:35):
Some people were disappointed that he didn't go harder, that
he didn't use the platform to reignite the feud, but
others saw it as a sign of maturity, a willingness
to take the high road and focus on his own artistry.
Speaker 1 (16:48):
It's interesting because that seems to be like a recurring
theme throughout this whole rivalry, this tension between confrontation and evolution,
between speaking your mind in choosing.
Speaker 2 (17:00):
Your battles, and I think Lamar's super Bowl performance perfectly
encapsulated that tension.
Speaker 1 (17:06):
I think so too.
Speaker 2 (17:07):
He acknowledged the feud, he acknowledged the hurt. Yeah, but
he also chose to move forward to focus on his
own growth and his own message.
Speaker 1 (17:16):
So where do we go from here?
Speaker 2 (17:17):
That's the million dollar question is I mean, this rivalry
has been full of twists and turns, and I don't
expect that to change anytime soon. But I think Lamar's
super Bowl performance might mark a turning point.
Speaker 1 (17:28):
It should.
Speaker 2 (17:29):
It felt like a closing of a chapter, you know,
a recognition that some battles are best left in the past.
Speaker 1 (17:36):
Maybe this is the beginning of a new phase. It
could be where the focus shifts from the feud to
the music here, you know, from the drama to the artistry.
Speaker 2 (17:45):
That would be an interesting development, It would It would
allow both Lamar and Drake to step out of each
other's shadows and continue to define their own legacies.
Speaker 1 (17:54):
And ultimately, that's what this is all about, right But
it is two artists pushing each other, pushing the boundaries
of hip hop, leaving their.
Speaker 2 (18:02):
Mark on the world, and we the listeners, get to
witness it all unfold. It's a privilege, really to be
able to engage with their music, to dissect their lyrics,
to debate their impact, and to watch as they continue
to shape the culture.
Speaker 1 (18:17):
So as we wrap up this deep dive, I'm going
to leave you with this, pay attention to the music,
to the lyrics, to the choices these artists are making,
because within those details you'll find the real story, the
story of ambition, creativity, and the constant evolution of hip hop.
Well said, thanks for diving deep with us and keep
(18:38):
those conversations going
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