The Epic Encounter: Kendrick Lamar vs. Drake EXplained

The epic showdown unfolding in the hip-hop arena between Kendrick Lamar and Drake is captivating fans around the world.

The world of hip-hop is popular with the war of egos and rivalries; however, few disputes have captivated worldwide fans’ attention as much as the upcoming showdown between Drake and Kendrick Lamar. For more than a decade, there has been a chilly war of words, covert subliminals, and false beginnings leading up to this much-awaited showdown of the Titans. But now, the gloves are off, Kendrick has finally dissed Drake publicly in the most provocative way: via his music.

Kendrick Lamar Fires Shots at Drake in His New Diss Track “Like That”

This epic confrontation is triggered by Kendrick’s blistering diss track, “Like That,”  a scratchy rebuke targeted directly at Drake and his crew. The fact that Kendrick’s diss is featured on Future and Metro Boomin’s much-awaited album, “We Don’t Trust You”, puts Drake’s favorite partner squarely in the sights of his most powerful rival, intensifying the ongoing drama. Imagine you have a close friend you always work closely with, and that friend is associated with or working with your greatest rival who publicly criticized you. With Drake, Kendrick, Future, and Metro Boomin, that’s basically what’s going on.  

With the track “Like That,” Kendrick disses Drake and his inner crew directly, leaving little room for other interpretations. In phrases like “Fuck sneak-dissing / ‘First Person Shooter,’ I hope they came with three switches,” Kendrick boldly disdains Drake’s claims of hip-hop supremacy and calls out for not being direct in his lyrics and for focusing too much on making popular songs with catchy hooks. Kendrick also makes a strong statement in the song, saying, “Motherfuck the big three, nigga, it’s just big me!” This is a reference to Drake’s claim to be one of the “big three” in hip-hop, along with J. Cole and Kendrick.

This historic feud can be traced back to Drake and Cole’s recent collaboration, “First Person Shooter,” featured on Drake’s latest album, “For All the Dogs.” Although the song was not explicitly disrespectful, its lyrics struck a chord with Kendrick, who interpreted them as condescending coming from his colleagues. Cole’s verse, which made references to the “big three” and drew comparisons to Muhammad Ali, provoked a reaction from Kendrick.  

Why now?

Why have Kendrick and Drake decided to go to war now, after years of professionalism and respect for one another? We need a deeper understanding of interpersonal dynamics and underlying tensions that have been heating up for years to unveil the whole drama.

Within the hip-hop community, speculation and rumors have arisen, with the assumptions extending from jealousies to personal grievances triggering the dispute. While some believe that a conflict between Drake and Future over a Miami stripper played a part, others suspect that Metro Boomin’s persistent bitterness over perceived slights from Drake and 21 Savage was the leading reason.

One thing is evident, though, even in hip-hop rumors: Kendrick and Drake’s feud is about more than just bragging supremacy. This confrontation between ideas, styles, and egos has broad implications that go beyond well beyond the borders of the rap game.
As the battle between Kendrick and Drake rages on, the world of hip-hop watches with bated breath, eager to see which titan will emerge victorious. But regardless of the outcome, one thing is certain: the clash between Kendrick and Drake will be remembered as a defining moment in the chapters of rap history when two of the genre’s biggest stars collided in an epic battle for supremacy.

Drake Fires Back: ‘Push Ups’ Disses Kendrick Lamar and Ignites Hip-Hop Drama

The release of Drake’s scathing reply to Kendrick Lamar’s provocative verse on “Like That,” a song that rocked this hip-hop drama, served as the most recent salvo in this epic conflict. Drake’s vicious diss, dubbed “Push Ups” by fans, targets several other prominent rappers in addition to Kendrick, including Future, Metro Boomin, Rick Ross, and The Weeknd.

 Drake has finally released the official studio version of his Kendrick Lamar diss single, “Push Ups,” over a week after a tantalizing leak sent shockwaves through the hip-hop industry. The action set the internet on fire. The release is accompanied by an eye-catching cover image, which depicts a scale and implies a sharp dig at Kendrick Lamar’s shoe size as described in the song. “How the heck you big steppin’ with a size-seven men’s on?” Drake spits, directly referring to Lamar’s 2022 album title, “Mr. Morale and the Big Steppers.” 

 The saga began when glimpses of what appeared to be an incomplete “Push Ups” demo surfaced, causing a stir on social media. There were questions over the track’s authenticity, but Drake promptly defended it by posting a picture from “Kill Bill” on his Instagram story. The picture showed the protagonist facing up to her enemies in a defiant manner. 

The leaked song sparked a heated discussion and quickly prompted a response from Rick Ross, who discovered that Drake was going for him with his verbal assault. With “Champagne Moments,” Ross responded to Drake’s alleged cosmetic upgrades. During a performance, Ross even wore a hoodie with the rapper’s face.

Surprisingly, J. Cole first entered the battle with the “7 Minute Drill.” However, he quickly withdrew the track from streaming services, calling it “the lamest shit I ever did.” 

Who is winning?

At just under four minutes, Drake’s “Push Ups” is a masterpiece in poetic precision, with his words being handled like a sharpened razor. He uses his razor-sharp wit and cynical humor to defeat his opponents with brutal efficiency, reserving his sharpest jabs for Kendrick. Drake’s verses on “Push Ups” are a constant assault of witty wordplay and biting social commentary. Drake leaves no stone unturned in his critique of his competitor, ridiculing Kendrick’s attempts at popular pop crossovers and casting doubt on his business ties with Top Dawg Entertainment. He scores highly in this category because of his ability to precisely and surgically dismantle his opponents. However, Kendrick’s diss on “Like That” is just as powerful.  Kendrick attacks Drake’s alleged vulnerabilities and dispels the idea that he is one of the “Big 3” alongside Drake and J. Cole with sharp one-liners and intricate analogies. It’s a close contest in terms of lyrical skill because Kendrick’s wit and skills of concision come through while Drake’s bars are savage.

Whether Kendrick or Drake wins in the end, their rivalry is a monument to the passion, controversy, and discussion that hip-hop continues to create, as well as a reminder of the genre’s lasting influence on culture.