This blogpost made over at 'The Not So Creative Side' a blog dedicated to the business side of the music industry.
Catch more of the blog here: https://thenotsocreativeside.blogspot.com/2024/05/biggest-battle-in-rap-history-did-ovo.html
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Hi all,
I'm sure you have all heard of the ongoing battle between Kendrick Lamar (Kendrick Lamar Duckworth) and Drake (Aubrey Drake Graham). If you have not; lets get into it.
It seems Drake was pushed over the edge with Kendrick's verse on 'Like That' where Kendrick takes a jab at Drake's 'top 3' stance in the industry. J Cole backed out and deleted his jab of '7 Minute Drill' to Kendrick. Drake then releases 'Push Ups', taunting Kendrick with 'drop and give me 50' with reference to his 50/50 record deal. Drake allegedly owns his masters at OVO, whereas Kendrick owns 50%. Drake releasing Taylor Made Freestyle (Kendrick Lamar Diss) must of been the final straw for Kendrick.
Drake digs at Kendrick who I believe was one step ahead with Euphoria. Drake been done and woke the demon up! Euphoria is a lyrical playground where Kendrick takes direct figurative shots at Drake. Kendrick really gives food for thought in Euphoria as he picks Drake apart as not being a true representation of Hip Hop. Take a close listen to the lyrics, they are filled with word-play, double entendres, and flow changes. Kendrick says Drake is a liar, manipulator, drug addict, and a child molester for a start! Kendrick takes Hip Hop on his shoulders here as an industry - and Drake being bi-racial and confused leaves Hip Hop on rocky grounds; Tupac must be turning in his grave! Kendrick says he doesn't care about the fame, this is true we hardly see Kendrick and his private life is; private. Drake then comes back strong with 'Family Matters' to his defence. Drake takes the n**** card back at the start and says he's ready to go unlike Cole who apologised. Drake attacks Kendrick's character saying he has been with all types of women, and Kendrick married a mixed woman himself- basically Kendrick is a hypocrite. Drake hits at all angles here, switching flow, plenty punchlines and allusions- it is a valid response to Kendrick. Drake defends himself as the Hip Hop dance king, saying being called white boy has a ring to it as they all wave white flags to his greatness. He says Kendrick is lying. Who can we believe here?
Kendrick drops 'Meet The Grahams' , Kendrick singlehandedly as a monologue speaks to Kendricks children saying he will be their mentor. Unlike Drake, Kendrick asserts that he is the better man; both as a husband, and an active father. Whereas, Drake has abandoned children, sleeps with escorts and uses his parents for money. Kendrick plays a psychologist almost as he likens Drake to Epstein, and an impersonator who should be locked up for public safety. Kendrick's delivery really packs a punch- he says he never intended to battle he wants peace but Drake came for his family and that means war. Kendrick did not stop there with 'Not Like Us' where he taunts Drake with the infatuation of minors, striking a chord with 'A minor'. Kendrick asserts himself as Drake being the ring leader of sex offenders, and sickos, with a team who is not as loyal as Drake believes. Kendrick drops lots of gems proving that he has been done his research- as God's plan exposing Drake as a '69 God'. Drake bounced back casually today with his response! He asserts that Kendrick is not the father of his wife's youngest child in 'The Heart Part 6' . The title page is a comment left my Dave Free with 1,485 likes. Drake is not ready to backdown and he asks for the paperwork to prove that what Kendrick says is true. He says that Kendrick has fallen for his trap- Drake planted information of an alleged 11-year-old daughter of Drake. Drake says that Kendrick's paedophile ensued raps is because Kendrick himself was molested and if he was a child molester he would be arrested already- being the celebrity that he is! Drake's punchlines take him from A minor to B sharp, and, from D flat to D major- and taunts that Dave Free fathering his wife's child is breeding resentment! He alleges Kendrick is a wife-beater and a hypocrite who is not who he says he is.
This battle is intense and heated and both artists reveal genuine dislike for eachother. Both Kendrick and Drake hit home and show that they are both honourable rap battle geniuses and here to stay. I think this battle is far from over! I can keep going but I have made a non-biased review of the battle thus far. May the best man win! To see Drake and Kendrick rapping their best is refreshing and just what Hip Hop needs right now. Both Kendrick and Drake are trending all over the world with millions of plays each.
Watch these Youtube reactions and analysis for insight. Don't miss this!