Articles
Kendrick Lamar’s beef with Drake and J Cole clarified
Apr
Rappers have engaged in verbal sparring since the inception of hip-hop. It’s ingrained in the culture—a showcase of lyrical prowess and a assertion of dominance, spawning numerous iconic “diss tracks” from 2Pac’s “Hit ‘Em Up” to Jay-Z’s “Takeover”. The most recent conflict involves three prominent figures in hip-hop: Drake, Kendrick Lamar, and J Cole. It was sparked by a seemingly harmless lyric that lauded their individual successes. Here’s a breakdown of the unfolding events.
Who are the main players?
Drake is a Canadian artist who transitioned from acting to music, blending rap and R&B to become the most commercially successful hip-hop artist of the 21st century. He’s known for multi-platinum hits such as “Hotline Bling,” “One Dance,” and “Hold On, We’re Going Home.”
Kendrick Lamar, born in Compton, is a rapper renowned for his compelling rhymes and visionary concepts, earning him the title of the best rapper of his generation. He’s known for tackling significant issues like police brutality, black empowerment, and personal struggles. In 2018, he made history as the first hip-hop artist to win the Pulitzer Prize for music.
J Cole, born in Germany and raised in North Carolina, received mentorship from Jay-Z and gained fame with hits like “Middle Child” and “Deja Vu”. However, he became disillusioned with commercial success and shifted towards introspective and analytical music, resulting in some of his most popular and successful work.
How did the beef start?
The initial catalyst was a gesture aimed at unity rather than division. In October of last year, Drake dropped his eighth album “For All The Dogs,” which included a collaboration with J Cole titled “First Person Shooter.”
In one verse, Cole suggested that he, Drake and Kendrick were the “big three” of the current era of 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 song debuted at the top of the US singles chart, becoming Drake’s 13th and Cole’s first number-one song.
The achievement meant Drake tied with Michael Jackson for the most number one singles by a male solo artist.
A week later, Taylor Swift’s Cruel Summer replaced them at number one, and the moment seemed to have passed. But privately, Kendrick had taken note – and he wasn’t happy.
What did Kendrick Lamar say?
Earlier this month, rappers Metro Boomin’ and Future dropped a collaborative album titled “Like That.” Buried within the tracklist was an uncredited verse by Kendrick Lamar, and it stirred up quite a storm.
With a tightly-wound, profanity-laden delivery, Lamar took a direct shot at J Cole’s verse, asserting that there’s no “big three – it’s just big me.” He further criticized Cole’s best verses as lacking substance, likening them to “a light pack,” and proclaimed himself as the Prince to Drake’s Michael Jackson.
The impact of Lamar’s verse is difficult to fully grasp in writing, but when it concludes with Lamar vowing to bury all of Drake and J Cole’s closest associates in the “pet sematary”—a reference to Stephen King’s 1983 horror novel—you realize a serious statement has been made. (Note: Lamar isn’t referring to actual pet dogs but rather the rappers’ inner circle.)
It’s noteworthy that the placement of Lamar’s verse holds significance, as Metro Boomin’ is a former collaborator of Drake’s who has since fallen out with the Canadian artist. Metro, born Leland Wayne, produced the majority of Drake’s 2015 album “What A Time To Be Alive,” but a promised sequel never came to fruition, allegedly souring their relationship. In 2022, the producer removed Drake from a song titled “Trance” and unfollowed him on Instagram.
Did Drake accept defeat?
Drake seemed to respond to Kendrick’s verse during a concert in Florida, delivering a defiant message to the audience.
“A lot of people ask me how I’m feeling,” he declared. “I’ll tell you how I’m feeling. I’ve got my head held high, my back straight, I’m standing firm here in Florida and everywhere else I go. And I know, without a doubt, there’s not a single person on this planet who can ever mess with me in my life!”
What’s the lastest?
On Friday, J Cole issued his response to Kendrick’s verse in a track featured on his surprise album, “Might Delete Later.”
“I received a phone call, they said someone’s throwing shade / Seeking attention, but it comes with repercussions,” he rapped. “Still out here performing, but fell off like ‘The Simpsons’.”
He went on to critique Kendrick’s music catalogue, acknowledging his debut as a “classic” while deeming his recent release—a sprawling double album named “Mr. Morale and the Big Steppers”—as “tragic”.
“Your third album was monumental, that was your peak,” he continued, “I was close behind, and now I’ve just reached mine.”
He concluded by expressing his continued respect for Lamar but warned of retaliating if the insults persist.
“If it comes down to it, on this microphone, I’ll put him in his place.”
Homepage: Greenbayclother