Hip-hop titan Drake has released a fiery diss track titled “Family Matters” in direct response to Kendrick Lamar’s latest “Euphoria” and “6:16 In LA” diss tracks in a protracted feud between the two music artists.
Released on the night of Friday, May 3, 2024, as reported by HOT 97, Drake’s 7-minute diss track combines three videos targeting Kendrick alongside other prominent artists in the music industry, including Rick Ross, ASAP Rocky, and The Weeknd, who sided with him in the ongoing high-profile battle among rap’s upper echelons.
Surprisingly, Kendrick responded to Drake’s diss with “Meet The Grahams” minutes after Drake posted his latest diss track, escalating the feud into what HIPHOPWIRED described as a “Hip-Hop civil war.”
The “Family Matters” features a volley of lyrical jabs compounded with multiple beat switches to deliver the best of Drake’s diss, targeting the artist’s personal life, family, and other artists supporting him in the ongoing supremacy battle.
However, this was expected as Drake had been taunting Kenny to respond when he came to The Boy and J. Cole on “Like That” in March, as reported by XXL.
Music Video—Hidden Message
Drake’s seven-minute cinematic video combines three scenes to send a powerful message to his rivals in style.
The video launches with a GKMC (Good Kid, M.A.A.D City) van, referring to Kendrick’s acclaimed album being towed by a track around the city before being crushed in a junkyard, as explained in an article published by the HYPEBEAST.
The second part of the diss track unfolds in a black-and-white scene within a lit-up hearse, serving as a metaphor for the scathing verbal shots he intends to fire at his offenders.
In the final part of the video, DIZZY appears at Toronto’s Chinese restaurant, New Ho King, which gained widespread attention after Drake’s first diss, reclaiming the narrative, the article explained.
Scathing Allegations About Kendrick Lamar
In the 7-minute and 36-second diss track, Drake stayed off the claims of infidelity, domestic abuse, and ghostwriting.
However, he instead aimed at Kendrick’s reportedly broken relationship with his fiancée Whitney Alford, accusing Kendrick of assaulting his known long-term partner, suggesting that Kendrick’s real life was not as pristine as it may look.
“You the Black messiah wifing up a mixed queen / And hit vanilla cream to help out with your self-esteem / On some Bobby sh*t, I wanna know what Whitney need.”
Drake also questioned Kendrick’s fatherhood authenticity as he is seen holding his son subtly in the video, emphasizing his role as a father.
“I heard that one of them little kids might be Dave Free / Don’t make it Dave freeze / Cause if your GM is your BM secret BD / Then this is all making plenty fuckin’ sense to me / Ayy, let that shorty breathe,” Drake rapped about Kendrick’s children, questioning his legitimacy as their father.
In addition to allegations, Drake showed off the pricey items he acquired at the JOOPITER auction, including some of Pharrell’s sought-after pieces.
He also referred to the recent fallout with Tupac Shakur’s estate following his use of an AI-generated version of Tupac’s vocals in his new diss song “Taylor Made Freestyle” without permission, resulting in a “flagrant violation of Tupac’s publicity,” according to the cease and desist letter cited by the AI Business on April 29.
As a result, Drake reportedly pulled down the song on April 25, according to Billboard News.
Referring to the incident, Drake reminded that he now owns Tupac’s $1 million USD bejeweled ring, which Tupac famously wore before he was shot and killed in 1996. This was not only a show of his financial strength but also greater command over resources.
“Family Matters” track became Drake’s third diss aimed at Kendrick Lamar, after “Push Ups” and “Taylor Made Freestyle” which had to be pulled down due to what Tupac termed as flagrant violation of its publicity.
Drake said he would go on vacation after the diss track as fans eagerly await the next move from Drake and Kendrick.