The ongoing beef between Drake and Kendrick Lamar has taken the rap community by storm, leaving experts worried that the battle may be spiraling out of control and leading to unforeseen consequences.
At the heart of this hip hop feud are two of the genre’s biggest names: Kendrick Lamar, a critically acclaimed, Pulitzer Prize-winning rapper, and Drake, one of the most commercially successful hip hop artists of his generation. Once close friends, their relationship has soured over the past decade, culminating in the explosive diss tracks that have taken center stage in recent months. The tension between the two intensified after Drake and J. Cole reignited the feud with their track “First Person Shooter.”
The insults, initially light-hearted and humorous—mocking shoe sizes and clichéd romantic lyrics—have turned into darker accusations involving domestic violence, pedophilia, and hidden family matters.
Kendrick Lamar and Drake’s Feud Drives Streaming Platforms’ Success
The toxic war of words has fueled social media buzz, propelling the diss tracks to the top of global music charts. Billboard reports that four of Lamar’s diss tracks have broken into the top 10 on Spotify and Apple Music, with his catalogue seeing a 49% surge in streams.
Lamar’s diss track “Euphoria” has racked up an impressive 65.6 million streams and is expected to climb higher on the U.S. Top 10 Charts. His follow-up single, “Not Like Us,” is poised to claim the No. 1 spot on the U.S. Charts. Meanwhile, despite Drake’s extensive discography (including tracks like “Girls Want Girls” and “Family Matters”), Lamar appears to be winning the battle on most major charts.
In an interview A.D. Carson, an associate professor of hip hop studies at the University of Virginia, warned that the real winners of this feud are not Lamar, Drake, or their massive fanbases—but the streaming platforms and media outlets.
“If anyone’s profiting from this, it’s YouTube, Spotify, and every social media platform that hosts the diss tracks,” Carson explained.
Carson added that while rap beef has traditionally showcased lyrical mastery and performance art, today’s diss tracks are saturated with misogynistic and homophobic undertones that detract from the artistic essence of the genre. He pointed to media outlets that have blindly glorified the spectacle, such as Spotify, which ran ads proclaiming “Hip hop is a competitive sport,” and Vogue, which hailed 2024 as the “Year of the Diss Track.”
Carson emphasized that while these platforms are quick to capitalize on the beef, it’s the rappers themselves who risk reputational damage.
Experts Fear Rap Feuds May Go Too Far
In a sobering interview, Carson expressed concerns that the feud between Lamar and Drake may escalate beyond the music industry.
In his diss track “Not Like Us,” Lamar accuses Drake of exploiting his mixed-race heritage to reap cultural benefits while lacking genuine understanding or appreciation for Black culture. He also suggests that Drake has engaged in inappropriate relationships with younger women.
Drake, in response, has dismissed Lamar as a jealous rival, envious of his commercial success, widespread fame, and $250 million net worth. Drake’s diss track “Taylor Made Freestyle” includes references to Taylor Swift’s recent album release, implying that Lamar has avoided responding because he fears the competition.
Carson likened this feud to the concept of kayfabe, a term from professional wrestling used to describe fabricated rivalries that seem real to audiences. “People understand that rap diss is supposed to stay within the music,” Carson said. “But when the lines between performance and reality blur, the feud can take on a life of its own, especially when public safety becomes a concern.”
He cited a recent shooting at Drake’s residence in Toronto, where one of the rapper’s security guards was seriously injured. While it is too early to determine a motive, some speculate that the incident may be linked to Drake’s ongoing feud with Lamar.
With tensions rising, Carson urged both rappers to avoid letting the beef escalate to dangerous levels, warning that the media will be the only true winners if things spiral out of control.
Ultimately, the fate of this feud lies not in the hands of Drake or Lamar, but in the response from their fans, who continue to fuel the battle on social media. The consequences of this war of words may reach far beyond the boundaries of music, leaving lasting effects on both artists and the rap community at large.
