Can 50 Cent Guide Drake’s Feud?
In the aftermath of a high-profile lyrical feud between two rap giants, Drake and Kendrick Lamar, industry veteran 50 Cent offered guidance to the Toronto-born artist, urging him to focus on what truly mattered. Known for his keen insights, the “In Da Club” rapper shared wisdom with Drake amid the media frenzy, reminding him that in the complex landscape of hip-hop, reputation goes beyond any single battle.
In a candid interview, 50 Cent detailed his advice to Drake, which touched on the deeper layers of the feud sparked by Kendrick Lamar’s explosive track, “Not Like Us,” released in May 2024. This scathing diss track quickly became a viral sensation, amassing over 10 million views on YouTube within hours and clinching 300 million streams on Spotify in record time. Such digital popularity secured Lamar a headlining spot at the 2025 Apple Music Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show, and many in the public eye considered him the victor.
Despite public sentiment heavily favoring Lamar, 50 Cent reminded Drake that “losing” a rap battle is often a surface-level narrative. “I told him, it’s not him… I’m listening from the outside, and it’s not you. Don’t let yourself think that for a second,” 50 Cent said to Billboard. “If they said you lost, okay. What did you really lose if you pulled $300 million on your last tour? You didn’t lose anything.”
50 Cent’s message was clear: Drake’s career wasn’t defined by one battle. He advised the rapper to channel his creative energy, using the experience as fuel rather than a setback. “Keep creating. Don’t let it slow you down,” he urged, emphasizing that the battle ultimately pushed both artists to create better, faster. This duel, 50 Cent believed, added a fresh vibrancy to hip-hop, inspiring innovation and a renewed competitive spirit.
Drake’s response to the feud was strategic and visually powerful. His music video for “Family Matters” cleverly referenced the battle by featuring a demolished 1996 Chrysler Town and Country minivan, a nod to Lamar’s iconic vehicle from the 2012 album cover of good kid, m.A.A.d city. This visual callback underscored the intensity of the lyrical rivalry, with 50 Cent calling it a “mystery” and noting the uniqueness it brought to the genre. “Everything in that video was tied to something else. Before that, hip-hop didn’t have that level of layered storytelling,” he said.
In the end, this clash of lyrical power marked a defining moment in hip-hop, highlighting the genre’s profound impact on culture. 50 Cent’s wisdom not only demonstrated the resilience of artists like Drake but also illuminated the artistry embedded in rap battles, showcasing hip-hop as a platform for expression, debate, and innovation.
