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Drake Vs Kendrick Lamar - The 100% Full Story Explained

What’s The Dirt?・41 minutes read

Drake and Kendrick Lamar's relationship is characterized by a mix of competition and mutual appreciation, with disagreements over music styles and public perceptions. Despite ongoing subtle jabs and diss tracks, both artists have shown respect for each other's talent and success through their music and public statements.

Insights

  • Kendrick Lamar and Drake's relationship has been marked by a complex mix of support and rivalry, with Kendrick often showcasing a more introspective and socially conscious approach to his music, while Drake focuses on luxury and lifestyle in his lyrics. This contrast in their artistic themes has fueled a competitive dynamic between the two rappers, leading to diss tracks, subliminal jabs, and public critiques of each other's work.
  • Despite Drake's commercial success and chart-topping hits, Kendrick Lamar has consistently garnered critical acclaim and recognition for his artistry. Kendrick's dominance at award shows like the BET Awards, where he surpassed Drake's nominations and won in multiple categories, showcases the enduring impact of his music and the depth of his influence within the hip-hop industry, highlighting a distinction between commercial success and critical acclaim in the rap landscape.

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Recent questions

  • How did Drake and Kendrick Lamar's relationship evolve?

    Initially friendly, turned competitive with subtle jabs and diss tracks.

  • What marked a turning point in Kendrick Lamar's career?

    His album "good kid, m.A.A.d city" and the track "Poetic Justice."

  • How did Drake respond to Kendrick Lamar's "Control" verse?

    Downplayed it, questioned consistency, and sent subtle shots.

  • What fueled the rivalry between Drake and Kendrick Lamar?

    Kendrick's success at the 2013 BET Hip Hop Awards over Drake.

  • How did Kendrick Lamar and Drake's feud progress over time?

    Engaged in diss tracks, interviews, and ongoing subtle jabs.

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Summary

00:00

Drake and Kendrick Lamar: A Complex Rivalry

  • Drake and Kendrick Lamar have a strained relationship, with one rapper being friendly while the other views it as a business transaction.
  • Kendrick Lamar gave Drake a copy of his unreleased album "Section 80" after meeting in Toronto in 2011.
  • Drake was impressed by Kendrick's music and asked him to feature on his album "Take Care."
  • Kendrick's concerns about fame and mental health were evident in his music, contrasting with Drake's focus on luxury and lifestyle.
  • Drake showed support for Kendrick by taking him on tour despite label objections.
  • Kendrick's album "good kid, m.A.A.d city" marked a turning point in his career, with Drake featuring on the track "Poetic Justice."
  • Kendrick's competitive nature was highlighted in his verse on Big Sean's "Control," where he called out several rappers, including Drake.
  • Drake downplayed Kendrick's verse, questioning his consistency and dismissing it as a momentary hype.
  • Drake continued to send subtle shots at Kendrick, implying he seeks attention and talks excessively.
  • Kendrick's success at the 2013 BET Hip Hop Awards, where he won multiple categories over Drake, further fueled their rivalry.

14:47

Kendrick and Drake: Hip-Hop Feud Explained

  • Kendrick won awards for best hip-hop video track of the year and people's champ.
  • Kendrick referenced Drake's album title "Nothing Was the Same" in a diss track called "Control."
  • Sway asked Kendrick if the bars in "Control" were aimed at Drake, to which Kendrick responded playfully.
  • Drake responded with subliminal shots at Kendrick in a future track titled "[__]."
  • Drake referred to Kendrick as his son due to their past touring experiences.
  • Kendrick admitted to struggling with large crowds during his early tours with Drake.
  • Drake criticized Kendrick for the impact of the "Control" verse on his album rollout.
  • Kendrick lost the hip-hop album of the year Grammy to Macklemore and Ryan Lewis, causing outrage.
  • Drake criticized Macklemore for publicly stating he felt he should have won the Grammy.
  • Kendrick and Drake engaged in a subtle feud through diss tracks and interviews, with Drake eventually responding to Meek Mill's ghostwriting allegations.

29:52

Drake and Kendrick's Ongoing Feud

  • Drake was caught on tape talking negatively about Kendrick during an interview, but the tape was not aired due to Drake's publicist's intervention.
  • Kendrick dropped the "Control" verse on August 12, 2013, and Drake seemed bitter in an interview on September 24, followed by appearing on ESPN the next day.
  • In 2016, Drake dominated the charts with hits like "Views," which sold 1 million in its first week and became quadruple Platinum.
  • Drake had several number one records in 2016, including "One Dance," Spotify's most streamed song ever, and was named the most streamed artist of 2016.
  • Kendrick took direct shots at Drake in 2017 with a track full of jabs just days after Drake released a happy-go-lucky project, "More Life."
  • Kendrick strategically released a track to divert attention from Drake's project and warned of a new album coming soon, leading fans to spam Drake's Instagram with the number four in Roman numerals.
  • Kendrick referenced Drake's track "For Free" in a diss track, hinting at having something damaging on Drake and mocking his music style.
  • Kendrick responded to Drake's claims about being the best rapper and addressed the ghostwriting controversy, emphasizing the importance of writing one's own lyrics.
  • Drake and Kendrick exchanged subliminal shots in their tracks, with Drake attempting to be friendly and praising Kendrick's work in interviews.
  • Kendrick resurfaced in 2021 with shots at Drake in a track with Baby Keem, prompting Drake to respond with shots of his own in a song, showcasing their ongoing feud.

45:41

Kendrick Lamar sweeps BET Awards, surpassing Drake

  • Kendrick Lamar dominated the BET Awards, surpassing Drake's 14 nominations by winning Best Hip-Hop Video, Best Live Performer, Lyricist of the Year, Video Director of the Year, Album of the Year, and Artist of the Year. Despite Drake's criticism of Kendrick's five-year hiatus, Kendrick had not reciprocated any positive comments towards Drake in the last decade, while Drake had openly praised Kendrick multiple times.
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