Unpacking the Drake vs. Kendrick Lamar Feud: A Timeline of Diss Tracks and Allegations"
By JAMES TELLER | May 07, 2024
The ongoing feud between Kendrick Lamar and Drake has recently intensified, with both rappers exchanging insults and accusations regarding each other's personal lives and families through a series of escalating diss tracks. This feud has also drawn in other prominent figures in the hip-hop scene like Metro Boomin and DJ Mustard.
The dispute reached a boiling point when Drake responded to Lamar's allegations in a song released on Sunday, expressing his disgust at Lamar's claims, particularly those concerning Drake having a secret child and engaging in inappropriate relationships with underage girls, which Drake vehemently denies.
Drake's response in "The Heart Part 6" suggested that if Lamar's allegations were true, he would have faced legal consequences, and even hinted that he deliberately misled Lamar about having a daughter to test his credibility.
The origins of this feud can be traced back to Drake's track "First Person Shooter," released last October, where J. Cole referred to himself, Drake, and Lamar as the "big three," sparking Lamar's response on Future's "Like That" in March, where he challenged the notion of being on the same level as Drake and Cole.
This back-and-forth has brought forward various unverified claims and marks the latest chapter in the longstanding tradition of rap feuds, reminiscent of past rivalries such as Jay-Z vs. Nas and Tupac vs. Biggie.
Here's a recent timeline of the feud between Drake and Kendrick Lamar:
The backstory and "First Person Shooter": Both rappers rose to fame around the same time in the early 2010s and collaborated on each other's albums. Tensions arose in 2013 when Lamar called out Drake and other rappers in Big Sean's "Control." However, Drake's focus shifted to other beefs, notably with Meek Mill in 2015 and Pusha T in 2018.
Kendrick's featured verse on "Like That": Lamar took offense to being considered on the same level as Drake and Cole, as suggested in Future's song "Like That," where Lamar asserts his superiority.
J. Cole's involvement and subsequent withdrawal: Cole entered the feud briefly with his song "7-Minute Drill," criticizing Lamar but later regretting his involvement and removing the song from streaming platforms.
Drake's response with "Push Ups" and "Taylor Made Freestyle": Drake returned to the feud with multiple tracks aimed at Lamar, mocking him and also referencing his collaborations with pop artists.
Lamar's scathing response with "Euphoria" and "6:16 in LA": Lamar retaliated with aggressive diss tracks, targeting Drake's personal and professional life while hinting at potential insider information.
Drake's counter with "Family Matters": Drake responded by questioning Lamar's relationships and personal life, including his alleged infidelity and parenting skills.
Lamar's continued allegations in "Meet the Grahams" and "Not Like Us": Lamar doubled down on his accusations against Drake, alleging further misconduct and even involving Drake's daughter in his attacks.
Metro Boomin's involvement and Drake's latest response: Metro Boomin joined the fray by sharing a beat aimed at Drake, prompting Drake's latest response in "The Heart Part 6," where he dismisses Lamar's allegations and ridicules the feud.
The feud between Drake and Kendrick Lamar shows no signs of abating as both artists continue to trade insults and allegations with increasing severity.
