Kendrick Lamar’s beef with Drake and J Cole explained
Since the inception of hip-hop, rappers have engaged in verbal sparring, exchanging insults as part of the culture. This tradition serves as a test of lyrical prowess and a way to assert dominance, resulting in numerous iconic "diss tracks" like 2Pac's Hit 'Em Up and Jay-Z's Takeover.
The most recent feud involves three prominent figures in hip-hop: Drake, Kendrick Lamar, and J Cole. The conflict began with a seemingly harmless lyric complimenting each artist's career trajectory. Below is an overview of the unfolding events in this ongoing beef.
Who are the main players?
Drake, originally known for his acting, transitioned into a music career characterized by a unique fusion of rap and R&B, making him the most commercially successful hip-hop artist of the 21st century. His repertoire includes chart-toppers like Hotline Bling, One Dance, and Hold On We're Going Home.
Kendrick Lamar, hailing from Compton, is renowned for his intricate rhymes and thematic depth, earning him acclaim as the preeminent rapper of his generation. Known for tackling weighty subjects such as police brutality, black empowerment, and personal struggles, he became the first hip-hop artist to receive the Pulitzer Prize for music in 2018.
J Cole, born in Germany and raised in North Carolina, initially rose to fame with mentorship from Jay-Z and hits like Middle Child and Deja Vu. However, he grew disillusioned with the commercial aspects of success and began crafting more introspective, analytical music, which propelled him to newfound popularity and critical acclaim.
How did the beef start?
The initial catalyst for the feud was a gesture intended to foster unity rather than discord.
In October of the previous year, Drake released his eighth album, "For All The Dogs," which included a collaboration with J Cole titled "First Person Shooter."
In a verse from the song, Cole suggested that he, Drake, and Kendrick were the prominent figures, dubbing them the "big three" of contemporary hip-hop.
"Love when they argue the hardest MC / Is it K. Dot [Kendrick]? Is it Aubrey [Drake]? Or me? / We the big three, like we started a league."
The track swiftly climbed to the top of the US singles chart, marking Drake's 13th number-one hit and Cole's first.
This achievement also placed Drake on par with Michael Jackson for the most number one singles by a male solo artist.
Although Taylor Swift's "Cruel Summer" claimed the top spot a week later, publicly, the moment seemed to pass. However, privately, Kendrick took notice, and his response was one of discontent.
What did Kendrick Lamar say?
Earlier this month, rappers Metro Boomin' and Future teamed up to release a joint album titled "Like That."
Within the album's tracklist, an uncredited verse by Kendrick Lamar surfaced, catching many by surprise. In this explosive verse, Lamar delivered a tightly-wound, profanity-laden tirade, taking direct aim at J Cole's earlier assertion of a "big three" in hip-hop, stating instead that there's only a "big me."
He further criticized Cole's verses as lacking substance, likening them to "a light pack," and boldly positioned himself as the Prince to Drake's Michael Jackson. The potency of Lamar's verse is difficult to convey solely through text, but its conclusion, with Lamar vowing to bury all of Drake and J Cole's "dogs" in the "pet sematary" (referencing Stephen King's horror novel), clearly signifies the intensity of the conflict.
It's significant to note the placement of Lamar's verse within the album, as Metro Boomin' has a history of collaboration with Drake but has since severed ties with the Canadian artist. Metro, also known as Leland Wayne, notably produced the majority of Drake's 2015 album "What A Time To Be Alive." However, reports of a fallout between them surfaced after a promised sequel to the album never materialized. In 2022, Metro removed Drake from a song titled "Trance" and unfollowed him on Instagram, suggesting a strained relationship between the two.
Did Drake accept defeat?
During a concert in Florida, Drake seemed to respond to Kendrick Lamar's verse with a defiant message to the audience.
He declared, "Many wonder about my state of mind, so let me make it clear. I'm standing tall, my posture unwavering, planted firmly in Florida and wherever I tread. And I want you all to understand that there's not a single soul on this planet that can ever challenge me or my legacy!"
What's the latest?
On Friday, J Cole offered his response to Kendrick Lamar's verse, delivering his rebuttal in a track from his surprise album, "Might Delete Later."
In his verse, Cole addressed the situation, implying that seeking attention through diss tracks comes with consequences. He also took a jab at Kendrick's recent work, referring to it as a decline from his earlier classics, particularly pointing out Kendrick's sprawling double album "Mr Morale and the Big Steppers" as "tragic" compared to his earlier successes.
Cole continued by asserting his own growth and success, suggesting that while Kendrick may have peaked with his third album, Cole himself has been steadily climbing and has now reached his own prime.
He concluded by expressing his continued respect for Kendrick but warned that he wouldn't hesitate to assert his dominance if provoked further, affirming his ability to humble Lamar on the mic if necessary.
