Diss tracks have been ingrained in rap culture since its early days. From Ice Cube’s diss on NWA to the legendary Biggie Smalls vs. Tupac Shakur feud, these musical battles have garnered attention from fans and pop-culture followers alike. While diss tracks have surfaced sporadically in recent years, few have achieved the same intensity and public spectacle as the recent feud between Kendrick Lamar and Drake. With social media stunts and outrageous allegations, these two superstars have left everyone talking.
For those who may have lost track amid the wave of songs dropped in the span of four months, here’s a quick timeline. On March 22, Lamar shook the internet with the release of “Like That,” featuring Future and Metro Boomin. His verse included a barrage of disses aimed primarily at Drake, with a few shots at J. Cole. In response, Cole dropped “7 Min Drill” just days later, though he soon apologized to Lamar, stating that the track “didn’t sit right with [his] soul.” Drake responded with “Push Ups” on April 19, though it had leaked six days prior.
As the beef escalated, more rappers weighed in, releasing their songs and statements, but to keep it simple, let’s focus on Drake and Lamar.
Drake upped the ante with “TaylorMade Freestyle,” but Lamar quickly fired back. Two weeks later, he dropped “Euphoria,” marking the peak of their battle. On May 3, Lamar followed up with “6:16 in L.A.,” prompting Drake’s quick response with “Family Matters.” However, Lamar wasn’t done yet. That same day, he released “Meet the Grahams,” a track loaded with the most allegations to date. Fans began to conclude that Lamar had secured the upper hand, but the saga was far from over.
The next day, Lamar dropped “Not Like Us,” which reigned at No. 1 on the Billboard charts for an extended period. It became the most popular song of the battle and was performed at a Juneteenth celebration in Los Angeles. The event featured notable L.A. celebrities like Russell Westbrook, Dr. Dre, and YG, who danced alongside Lamar to the hit single. The West Coast rap community’s show of unity on stage made for an iconic moment, not just for the Lamar-Drake feud, but for rap history as a whole.
Although Drake went on to release “The Heart Pt 6,” it didn’t seem to be enough to turn the tide in his favor.
In July, Lamar released a music video for “Not Like Us,” adopting an old-school format reminiscent of rap videos from the ‘80s and ‘90s. The video emphasized one of the core themes of the beef: authentic hip-hop versus mainstream rap.
Some of the most notable allegations throughout the diss tracks include Lamar accusing Drake of taking advantage of the rap community, pretending to be something he’s not, hiding another child, and having inappropriate relationships with minors. In turn, Drake claimed Lamar was abusing his fiancée and suggested that Lamar’s children weren’t his, allegations that Lamar swiftly refuted by featuring his fiancée and children in the “Not Like Us” music video.
Fans feared the beef could end as tragically as the Tupac and Biggie feud, but fortunately, that wasn’t the case. While many agree that Kendrick Lamar won the battle by a landslide, the ultimate decision lies with the listeners. There are rumors Drake may not be finished yet and could drop another diss track, but only time will tell. So, if you’re a rap fan, give these tracks a listen and decide for yourself: Who won—Drake or Kendrick?