Drake–Kendrick Lamar feud#2023–2024: Escalation

Drake and Kendrick Lamar's relationship began on favorable terms. The pair's first collaboration was "Buried Alive Interlude", a two-minute interlude performed entirely by Lamar from Drake's 2011 studio album Take Care, slotted on the tracklist directly after the hit single "Marvins Room".{{cite web |date=November 17, 2011 |title=Train of Thought: Kendrick Lamar Speaks on His Take Care Feature & Meeting Drake |url=https://www.xxlmag.com/train-of-thought-kendrick-lamar-speaks-on-his-take-care-feature-meeting-drake/ |access-date=February 17, 2025 |website=XXL |language=en}} Both artists are about the same age, but at the time, Drake was already a chart-topping success (having first achieved mainstream success with his 2009 single "Best I Ever Had"),{{cite web |last1=Caramanica |first1=Jon |title=The New Face of Hip-Hop |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/13/arts/music/13drake.html |website=The New York Times |access-date=February 17, 2025 |date=June 9, 2010}} while Lamar was viewed as a relatively unknown up-and-comer, having recently appeared on the 2011 XXL Freshman list.{{Cite web |last=Williams |first=Aaron |date=March 22, 2024 |title=Kendrick Lamar & Drake's Rap Beef: A Timeline of Their Cold War, Which Just Started Sizzling Again |url=https://uproxx.com/music/kendrick-lamar-drake-rap-beef-timeline/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240423152359/https://uproxx.com/music/kendrick-lamar-drake-rap-beef-timeline/ |archive-date=April 23, 2024 |access-date=April 24, 2024 |website=Uproxx}}

Lamar complimented Drake after their initial meeting and collaboration: "We met up, chilled out, got to vibe, see where each other was at and shit. Sometimes you like a person's music but you definitely don't like the actual artist when you sit down and you talk to them. That's a real good dude. He got a real genuine soul. We clicked immediately." Lamar also shared that Drake had been the first to hear his debut independent album, Section.80.

In the track, Lamar shares how his initial meeting with Drake had felt like an introduction into the tempting, but potentially harmful world of celebrity, luxury, and fame. Lamar explores his complex feelings about fame — both desiring and fearing what it might bring into his life, especially upon getting a peek into Drake's life of luxury — and shares his "impatien[ce]" when finding out that himself and Drake were the same age. This fraught relationship with fame would become a theme in Lamar's music throughout his career, and often stood in contrast with Drake's celebration of luxury.{{cite web |last1=Findlay |first1=Mitch |title=Kendrick Lamar Made An Impression On Drake's "Buried Alive Interlude" |url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/79274-kendrick-lamar-made-an-impression-on-drakes-buried-alive-interlude-new-song |website=HotNewHipHop |language=en |date=December 28, 2017}} This first collaboration foreshadowed themes that would lead to their eventual rift and feud, more than a decade before its explosion.{{cite web |last1=Tharpe |first1=Frazier |title=The Kendrick Lamar/Drake Beef, Explained |url=https://www.gq.com/story/the-kendrick-lamar-drake-beef-explained |website=GQ |date=March 22, 2024}}

Still, Drake and Lamar's relationship continued to develop amicably. Following a strong critical reception towards "Buried Alive Interlude",{{cite magazine |last1=Coplan |first1=Chris |title=Drake's Take Care Was Worth The Wait |url=https://entertainment.time.com/2011/11/15/drakes-take-care-was-worth-the-wait/ |magazine=Time |date=November 15, 2011}}{{cite web |last1=Cole |first1=Matthew |title=Review: Drake, Take Care |url=https://www.slantmagazine.com/music/drake-take-care/ |website=Slant Magazine |access-date=February 17, 2025 |date=November 12, 2011}} Lamar opened for Drake (alongside another up-and-coming contemporary, ASAP Rocky) during Drake's Club Paradise Tour in early 2012.{{cite web |title=Drake teams up with Kendrick Lamar, ASAP Rocky for 2012 tour dates |url=https://consequence.net/2011/12/drake-teams-up-with-kendrick-lamar-asap-rocky-for-2012-tour-dates/ |website=Consequence of Sound |language=en |date=December 13, 2011}} The tour followed Drake's smash chart success Take Care.{{cite magazine |last1=Staff |first1=Billboard |title=Drake Taking 'Club Paradise Tour' Across U.S. |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/drake-taking-club-paradise-tour-across-us-499399/ |magazine=Billboard |date=March 22, 2012}} Around the time of the tour, in March 2012, Lamar was officially signed to major label Interscope Records.{{cite web |last1=Fitzmaurice |first1=Larry |title=Kendrick Lamar and Schoolboy Q Sign to Interscope |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/45696-kendrick-lamar-and-schoolboy-q-sign-to-interscope/ |website=Pitchfork |access-date=February 17, 2025 |date=March 8, 2012}}

That fall, Lamar released his first major label album, Good Kid, M.A.A.D. City, which catapulted him to superstardom.{{cite magazine |last1=Caulfield |first1=Keith |title=Kendrick Lamar Debuts at No. 2 as Taylor Swift's 'Red' Tops Billboard 200 |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/kendrick-lamar-debuts-at-no-2-as-taylor-swifts-red-tops-billboard-200-474396/ |magazine=Billboard |access-date=February 17, 2025 |date=October 31, 2012}} The album featured a Drake verse on the track "Poetic Justice", which later became a hit single.{{Cite magazine |last=Lamarre |first=Carl |date=March 25, 2024 |title=Drake & Kendrick Lamar's Rocky Relationship Explained |url=https://www.billboard.com/lists/drake-kendrick-lamar-beef-timeline/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240424204456/https://www.billboard.com/lists/drake-kendrick-lamar-beef-timeline/ |archive-date=April 24, 2024 |access-date=April 24, 2024 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}} In December 2012, both Lamar and Drake also made an appearance on ASAP Rocky's hit single "Fuckin' Problems", released in advance of Rocky's major-label debut.{{Cite web |last=Price |first=Joe |date=November 12, 2020 |title=2 Chainz Recounts How "F*ckin' Problems" Came Together, Talks New Kanye Collab |url=https://www.complex.com/music/a/backwoodsaltar/2-chainz-explains-what-happened-to-fuckin-problems-verse-new-kanye-collab |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240506032056/https://www.complex.com/music/a/backwoodsaltar/2-chainz-explains-what-happened-to-fuckin-problems-verse-new-kanye-collab |archive-date=May 6, 2024 |access-date=May 5, 2024 |website=Complex}}{{cite web |last1=Battan |first1=Carrie |title=Listen: A$AP Rocky Teams With Drake, 2 Chainz and Kendrick Lamar on "Fuckin' Problem" |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/48272-listen-aap-rocky-teams-with-drake-2-chainz-and-kendrick-lamar-on-fuckin-problem/ |website=Pitchfork |access-date=February 17, 2025 |date=October 18, 2012}}

{{Main|Control (Big Sean song)|The Language (song)}}

File:Big Sean, 2024.jpg" by Big Sean (Big Sean pictured)]]

On August 14, 2013, Big Sean released the track "Control", featuring Lamar and Jay Electronica, which was initially intended for Big Sean's album Hall of Fame, but had to be left off due to sample clearance issues. Lamar's verse on the track called out many popular rappers of his generation by name, including Drake, claiming that he "had love" for all of them, but was trying to figuratively "murder" them, to the point of making their fans forget about their existence.{{Cite web |last=McDuffie |first=Candace |date=January 13, 2023 |title=Kendrick Lamar's 'Control' Verse Reintroduced a Rap God |url=https://www.mtv.com/news/57yhlp/kendrick-lamar-control-verse-new-retro |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240424053551/https://www.mtv.com/news/57yhlp/kendrick-lamar-control-verse-new-retro |archive-date=April 24, 2024 |access-date=April 24, 2024 |website=MTV |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Ex |first=Kris |date=August 22, 2013 |title=The Blast Radius of Kendrick Lamar's 'Control' Verse |url=https://www.npr.org/sections/therecord/2013/08/21/214145432/the-blast-radius-of-kendrick-lamars-control-verse |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150620182731/http://npr.org/sections/therecord/2013/08/21/214145432/the-blast-radius-of-kendrick-lamars-control-verse |archive-date=June 20, 2015 |access-date=April 24, 2024 |website=NPR}} The verse quickly went viral on social media, and was widely discussed by hip-hop's biggest names and the public at large.{{cite web |last1=Lilah |first1=Rose |title=Rappers React To Kendrick Lamar's Verse On "Control (HOF)" |url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/14559-rappers-react-to-kendrick-lamar-s-verse-on-control-news |website=HotNewHipHop |access-date=February 17, 2025 |language=en |date=August 13, 2013}}

In an interview with Billboard two weeks later, Drake dismissed Lamar's verse, stating: "It just sounded like an ambitious thought to me. That's all it was. I know good and well that [Lamar]'s not murdering me, at all, in any platform".{{Cite magazine |last=Ugwu |first=Reggie |date=August 30, 2013 |title=Drake's Nothing Was the Same: The Billboard Cover Story |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/drakes-nothing-was-the-same-the-billboard-cover-story-5679937/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240423211229/https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/drakes-nothing-was-the-same-the-billboard-cover-story-5679937/ |archive-date=April 23, 2024 |access-date=April 24, 2024 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}} In September, Drake joined Elliott Wilson's live interview series #CRWN. When prompted about the "Control" verse, Drake replied that Lamar's in-person attitude contradicted the sentiments of his "Control" verse. "I saw him five days later at the VMAs and it was all love... If it's really 'fuck everybody' then it needs to be 'fuck everybody'. It can't just be halfway".{{Cite web |date=September 23, 2013 |title=Drake on Kendrick Lamar's 'Control' Verse: 'I Lost a Little Bit of Respect for the Sentiment' |url=https://www.vibe.com/music/music-news/drake-talks-kendrick-lamar-control-verse-182024/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240425012457/https://www.vibe.com/music/music-news/drake-talks-kendrick-lamar-control-verse-182024/ |archive-date=April 25, 2024 |access-date=April 25, 2024 |website=Vibe |language=en-US}}

On September 24, 2013, Drake released his third studio album Nothing Was the Same. Multiple outlets interpreted the first verse on "The Language", the album's fifth single, as a response to Lamar's "Control" verse, with Drake insinuating that Lamar's music was "not that inspiring" despite popular and critical acclaim.{{cite web |last1=Ahlgrim |first1=Ayomikun Adekaiyero, Eve Crosbie, Callie |title=Drake vs. Kendrick Lamar: A complete timeline of the rappers' beef |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/drake-kendrick-lamar-beef-explained-timeline |website=Business Insider |access-date=February 17, 2025}}{{Cite web |last1=Ahmed |first1=Insanul |last2=Drake |first2=David |date=September 23, 2013 |title=Poetic Justice? Kendrick Lamar's "Control" vs. Drake's "The Language" |url=https://www.complex.com/music/a/david-drake/kendrick-lamar-control-drake-the-language |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230716141014/https://www.complex.com/music/a/david-drake/kendrick-lamar-control-drake-the-language |archive-date=July 16, 2023 |access-date=May 5, 2024 |website=Complex |language=en-us}}{{Cite web |last=Bassil |first=Ryan |date=August 11, 2015 |title=Kendrick Dissing Drake on Compton Is the Peak of a Beef That Has Been Growing for Years |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/rzez8w/history-of-the-kendrick-and-drake-beef-2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108090800/https://www.vice.com/en/article/rzez8w/history-of-the-kendrick-and-drake-beef-2015 |archive-date=November 8, 2020 |access-date=May 5, 2024 |website=Vice}}{{Cite web |last=Young |first=Alex |date=October 29, 2014 |title=Did Kendrick Lamar just reignite his feud with Drake on 'Pay For It'? |url=https://consequence.net/2014/10/did-kendrick-lamar-just-reignite-his-feud-with-drake-on-pay-for-it/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230924040101/https://consequence.net/2014/10/did-kendrick-lamar-just-reignite-his-feud-with-drake-on-pay-for-it/ |archive-date=September 24, 2023 |access-date=May 5, 2024 |website=Consequence Of Sound}} Birdman, head of Drake's then-label Cash Money Records, stated the song was not about Lamar.{{Cite web |last=Tardio |first=Andres |date=September 26, 2013 |title=Birdman Denies Drake Dissing Kendrick Lamar on "The Language" |url=https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.25561/title.birdman-denies-drake-dissing-kendrick-lamar-on-the-language |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231123161209/https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.25561/title.birdman-denies-drake-dissing-kendrick-lamar-on-the-language |archive-date=November 23, 2023 |access-date=May 5, 2024 |website=HipHopDX}}

In October, during a cypher performance aired on BET as part of the 2013 BET Hip Hop Awards, Lamar responded with a line that was widely interpreted as a diss towards Drake: "Nothing's been the same since they dropped 'Control'{{Nbsp}}and tucked a sensitive rapper back in his pajama clothes".{{Cite web |last=Renshaw |first=David |date=October 3, 2013 |title=Kendrick Lamar hits back at Drake in BET Awards cypher |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/kendrick-lamar-131-1246338 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240501160338/https://www.nme.com/news/music/kendrick-lamar-131-1246338 |archive-date=May 1, 2024 |access-date=May 1, 2024 |website=NME |language=en-GB}}{{Cite magazine |last=Ramirez |first=Erika |date=October 3, 2013 |title=Kendrick Lamar Subtly Disses Drake in 2013 BET Hip-Hop Awards Cypher |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/kendrick-lamar-subtly-disses-drake-in-2013-bet-hip-hop-awards-cypher-5747940/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221212185248/https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/kendrick-lamar-subtly-disses-drake-in-2013-bet-hip-hop-awards-cypher-5747940/ |archive-date=December 12, 2022 |access-date=May 1, 2024 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}}

On December 17, 2013, a remix of Future's "Shit" featuring Drake and Juicy J was released. Hip-hop fans and outlets alike speculated Drake's verse on the remix was a diss targeted towards Lamar.{{Cite web |last=Nelson |first=Keith |date=December 17, 2013 |title=Drake Responds to Kendrick Lamar's "Control" on Future's "Sh!t" Remix |url=https://allhiphop.com/headlines/drake-responds-to-kendrick-lamars-control-on-futures-sht-remix/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240129044122/https://allhiphop.com/headlines/drake-responds-to-kendrick-lamars-control-on-futures-sht-remix/ |archive-date=January 29, 2024 |access-date=May 9, 2024 |website=AllHipHop |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Coplan |first=Chris |date=December 17, 2013 |title=Is Drake responding to Kendrick Lamar in Future's remix of "Sh!t"? |url=https://consequence.net/2013/12/listen-to-futures-remix-of-sht-featuring-drake-and-juicy-j/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240509060147/https://consequence.net/2013/12/listen-to-futures-remix-of-sht-featuring-drake-and-juicy-j/ |archive-date=May 9, 2024 |access-date=May 9, 2024 |website=Consequence Of Sound |language=en-US}} The same day, Anthony "Top Dawg" Tiffith and Punch (both key figures at Lamar's record label Top Dawg Entertainment) posted responses on Twitter to Drake's verse disregarding the supposed disses.{{Cite web |last=Rys |first=Dan |date=December 17, 2013 |title=TDE's Top Dawg and Punch Respond to Drake's Kendrick Lamar Diss |url=https://www.xxlmag.com/tdes-top-dawg-and-punch-respond-to-drakes-kendrick-lamar-diss/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220625232534/https://www.xxlmag.com/tdes-top-dawg-and-punch-respond-to-drakes-kendrick-lamar-diss/ |archive-date=June 25, 2022 |access-date=May 9, 2024 |website=XXL |language=en}}

Two days after the track's release, Drake addressed Lamar's 2013 BET Hip Hop Awards cypher verse and "The Language" in a cover story for Vibe, mocking the idea of them being "buddy-buddy" and stating he already "stood [his] ground" in response to "Control". Nevertheless, Drake maintained that "The Language" wasn't targeted towards Lamar. Drake also praised Lamar as a "genius in his own right" and insisted there was "no real issue".{{Cite web |last=Griffin |first=Marc |date=April 15, 2024 |title=Drake vs. Everybody: A Timeline of the Massive Feud |url=https://www.vibe.com/lists/drake-vs-everybody-timeline-rap-feud/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240502045926/https://www.vibe.com/lists/drake-vs-everybody-timeline-rap-feud/ |archive-date=May 2, 2024 |access-date=May 2, 2024 |website=Vibe |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Kennedy |first=John |date=December 19, 2013 |title=VIBE Winter 2014 Cover Story: Drake |url=https://www.vibe.com/gallery/vibe-winter-2014-cover-story-drake/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131222072710/http://www.vibe.com/photo-gallery/vibe-winter-2014-cover-story-drake |archive-date=December 22, 2013 |access-date=May 5, 2024 |website=Vibe}} In June 2014, Drake posted a video on Instagram of himself rapping along to "Cut You Off (To Grow Closer)" from Lamar's 2010 mixtape Overly Dedicated.{{Cite web |last=Rashid |first=Tariq |date=June 4, 2014 |title=Drake Raps Along to Kendrick Lamar's 'Cut You Off' |url=https://www.vibe.com/music/music-news/drake-raps-kendrick-lamars-cut-you-off-223848/ |access-date=May 9, 2024 |website=Vibe |language=en-US |archive-date=May 9, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240509165104/https://www.vibe.com/music/music-news/drake-raps-kendrick-lamars-cut-you-off-223848/ |url-status=live }}

On October 29, 2014, Jay Rock released "Pay for It" featuring Lamar. The latter's verse contained lines seemingly taking shots at Drake while referencing lyrics from Drake's "The Language".{{Cite web |last=Grebey |first=James |date=October 29, 2014 |title=Kendrick Lamar Might've Just Renewed Hostilities with Drake on Diss Verse |url=https://www.spin.com/2014/10/kendrick-lamar-drake-diss-pay-for-it/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240507060950/https://www.spin.com/2014/10/kendrick-lamar-drake-diss-pay-for-it/ |archive-date=May 7, 2024 |access-date=May 7, 2024 |website=Spin}} Like Drake, Lamar denied growing rumors of tensions between the two. In an interview with Dazed published on November 3, 2014, Lamar clarified: "I got no beef with Drake".{{Cite web |last=Gorton |first=Thomas |date=November 3, 2014 |title=Kendrick ends his war of words with Drake |url=https://www.dazeddigital.com/music/article/22385/1/kendrick-ends-his-war-of-words-with-drake |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240507060955/https://www.dazeddigital.com/music/article/22385/1/kendrick-ends-his-war-of-words-with-drake |archive-date=May 7, 2024 |access-date=May 7, 2024 |website=Dazed |language=en}} On November 4, 2014, Lamar made an appearance on WWPR-FM's The Breakfast Club and further defused the prospect of a 'beef' between himself and Drake: "It wasn't no issue from the jump. I think people talk about beef ... it's just a whole 'nother dynamic. I can't see myself going bar for bar with Drake. We're two different types of artists."{{Cite web |last=Frydenlund |first=Zach |date=November 4, 2014 |title=Kendrick Lamar on His Rumored Beef with Drake: "It Wasn't No Issue from the Jump" |url=https://www.complex.com/music/a/zach-frydenlund/kendrick-lamar-breakfast-club-interview |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230919053136/https://www.complex.com/music/a/zach-frydenlund/kendrick-lamar-breakfast-club-interview |archive-date=September 19, 2023 |access-date=May 7, 2024 |website=Complex}}

Despite Drake and Lamar's prior dismissals, their feud continued in the form of sneak disses (intentionally subtle diss lyrics) Billboard identified as "subtle shots fired from both sides, but nothing groundbreaking". Marc Griffin, writing a timeline of the feud for Vibe in 2024, referred to this time as "the Cold War between the two men".

In a list of potential sneak disses on Drake's February 2015 mixtape If You're Reading This It's Too Late, Brandon Caldwell for Billboard claimed "Used To" and the bonus track "6PM in New York" contained lines targeting Lamar.{{Cite magazine |last=Caldwell |first=Brandon |date=February 13, 2015 |title=Drake Decoded: 10 Subliminal Shots on If You're Reading This It's Too Late |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/drake-if-youre-reading-this-its-too-late-disses-6472881/ |access-date=May 9, 2024 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US |archive-date=March 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230314000420/https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/drake-if-youre-reading-this-its-too-late-disses-6472881/ |url-status=live}} On March 15, 2015, Lamar released his third studio album To Pimp a Butterfly. The album's third single, "King Kunta", received little attention in the context of Drake and Lamar's feud until after Meek Mill accused Drake of using ghostwriters on Twitter.{{Cite web |last=Alexis |first=Nadeska |date=July 27, 2015 |title=Drake and Meek Mill: A Timeline of Their Ghostwriting Feud |url=https://www.mtv.com/news/36rrvw/drake-meek-mill-ghostwriter-beef-timeline |access-date=May 9, 2024 |website=MTV |language=en |archive-date=May 9, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240509180010/https://www.mtv.com/news/36rrvw/drake-meek-mill-ghostwriter-beef-timeline |url-status=dead}} After the accusations became public, the lines "A rapper with a ghostwriter? What the fuck happened? / I swore I wouldn't tell / But most of y'all sharing bars like you got the bottom bunk in a two-man cell" from "King Kunta" were retrospectively interpreted by multiple outlets as subliminal Drake disses from Lamar.{{Cite web |last=Murray |first=Conor |title=Drake-Kendrick Lamar Feud Timeline: Attempted Intruder Arrested at Drake's Toronto Home, Police Say |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/conormurray/2024/05/09/drake-kendrick-lamar-feud-timeline-attempted-intruder-arrested-at-drakes-toronto-home-police-say/ |date=June 6, 2024 |access-date=May 9, 2024 |website=Forbes |language=en |quote=Some interpreted Lamar's shots at artists who use ghostwriters in his 2015 song "King Kunta" could be a dig at Drake. |archive-date=May 9, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240509172437/https://www.forbes.com/sites/conormurray/2024/05/09/drake-kendrick-lamar-feud-timeline-attempted-intruder-arrested-at-drakes-toronto-home-police-say/ |url-status=live}} The songs "Darkside / Gone" and "Deep Water" from Dr. Dre's August 2015 studio album Compton also both featured Lamar verses with lines interpreted as Drake disses.{{Cite web |last=Young |first=Alex |date=August 7, 2015 |title=Kendrick Lamar just reignited his feud with Drake |url=https://consequence.net/2015/08/kendrick-lamar-just-reignited-his-feud-with-drake/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220704212052/https://consequence.net/2015/08/kendrick-lamar-just-reignited-his-feud-with-drake/ |archive-date=July 4, 2022 |access-date=May 7, 2024 |website=Consequence Of Sound |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Kyles |first=Yohance |date=August 7, 2015 |title=Did Kendrick Lamar Send More Subliminals at Drake on Dr. Dre's Compton: A Soundtrack? |url=https://allhiphop.com/news/did-kendrick-lamar-send-more-subliminals-at-drake-on-dr-dres-compton-a-soundtrack/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231209205153/https://allhiphop.com/news/did-kendrick-lamar-send-more-subliminals-at-drake-on-dr-dres-compton-a-soundtrack/ |archive-date=December 9, 2023 |access-date=May 7, 2024 |website=AllHipHop |language=en-US}}

On January 15, 2016, President Barack Obama sat down for a series of interviews conducted by YouTube influencers.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=January 15, 2016 |title=Meet the YouTube Stars Who Will Interview President Obama |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Technology/meet-youtube-stars-interview-president-obama/story?id=36310811 |access-date=May 14, 2024 |website=ABC News |language=en |archive-date=November 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231111033417/https://abcnews.go.com/Technology/meet-youtube-stars-interview-president-obama/story?id=36310811 |url-status=live}} In one such interview, Swoozie asked if Obama thought Drake or Lamar would win in a rap battle. Obama responded: "Gotta go with Kendrick. I think Drake is an outstanding entertainer. But Kendrick, his lyrics—[To Pimp a Butterfly] was outstanding. Best album, I think, last year." Fifteen days later, Drake released "Summer Sixteen", dissing Obama and rapping: "Tell Obama that my verses are just like the whips that he in / They bulletproof".{{Cite web |last=Young |first=Alex |date=January 30, 2016 |title=Drake responds to Obama on new single "Summer Sixteen" – listen |url=https://consequence.net/2016/01/drake-responds-to-obama-on-new-single-summer-sixteen-listen/ |url-status=live |access-date=May 14, 2024 |website=Consequence Of Sound |language=en-US |archive-date=May 15, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240515122246/https://consequence.net/2016/01/drake-responds-to-obama-on-new-single-summer-sixteen-listen/}}{{Cite web |last=Yilek |first=Caitlin |date=January 31, 2016 |title=Drake calls out Obama in 'Summer Sixteen' |url=https://thehill.com/blogs/in-the-know/in-the-know/267664-drake-calls-out-obama-in-summer-sixteen/ |access-date=May 14, 2024 |website=The Hill |language=en-US |archive-date=May 17, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220517090705/https://thehill.com/blogs/in-the-know/in-the-know/267664-drake-calls-out-obama-in-summer-sixteen/ |url-status=live}} Vibe{{'s}} Iyana Robertson said the ensuing conversation "... reignited a debate that has been going on since the conception of [Drake and Lamar's] respective careers".{{Cite web |last=Robertson |first=Iyana |date=January 31, 2016 |title="Summer Sixteen" Started the Drake vs. Kendrick Lamar Debate All Over Again |url=https://www.vibe.com/music/music-news/drake-kendrick-lamar-summer-sixteen-402053/ |access-date=May 14, 2024 |website=Vibe |language=en-US |archive-date=May 1, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240501210359/https://www.vibe.com/music/music-news/drake-kendrick-lamar-summer-sixteen-402053/ |url-status=live}} During a June 2016 airing of ESPN's Max and Marcellus, sportscaster Marcellus Wiley claimed there was a destroyed SportsNation interview on ESPN of either Drake or Lamar dissing the other in a way that would have "ignited [the feud] to proportions we have not seen since Ja Rule/50 [Cent], maybe even Ice Cube/N.W.A."{{Cite web |last=Ivey |first=Justin |date=June 14, 2016 |title=Kendrick Lamar and Drake Beef Nearly Popped Off |url=https://www.xxlmag.com/kendrick-lamar-drake-beef-marcellus-wiley/ |access-date=May 14, 2024 |website=XXL |language=en |archive-date=May 4, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240504070953/https://www.xxlmag.com/kendrick-lamar-drake-beef-marcellus-wiley/ |url-status=live}} In an August 2016 interview for VladTV, Wiley stated that the alleged SportsNation interview was destroyed because the inciting rapper's team intervened.{{Cite web |last=Morris |first=Jessie L. |title=Marcellus Wiley Talks Scrapped Interview That Reportedly Would've Ignited a Major Drake and Kendrick Lamar Beef |url=https://www.complex.com/music/a/jessie-morris/marcellus-wiley-explains-scrapped-interview-drake-kendrick-lamar-beef |date=August 25, 2016 |access-date=May 14, 2024 |website=Complex |language=en-us |archive-date=May 13, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240513023809/https://www.complex.com/music/a/jessie-morris/marcellus-wiley-explains-scrapped-interview-drake-kendrick-lamar-beef |url-status=live}} On May 8, 2024, Wiley stated in his YouTube show Hydration Situation that the interview took place in 2014, with Drake as the inciting party. Wiley claimed that Drake said he was better than Lamar, which he perceived as jealousy. He also accused Drake of personally intimidating ESPN into deleting the interview.{{Cite web |last=Kyles |first=Yohance |date=May 9, 2024 |title=Kendrick Lamar Got Dissed by Drake in Unaired 2014 Interview, According to Marcellus Wiley |url=https://allhiphop.com/news/kendrick-lamar-drake-battle-marcellus-wiley-espn/ |url-status=live |access-date=May 14, 2024 |website=AllHipHop |language=en-US |archive-date=May 12, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240512144159/https://allhiphop.com/news/kendrick-lamar-drake-battle-marcellus-wiley-espn/}}{{Cite web |last=Griffin |first=Marc |date=May 9, 2024 |title=Drake Dissed Kendrick Lamar in Shelved ESPN Interview, Marcellus Wiley Claims |url=https://www.vibe.com/news/entertainment/marcellus-wiley-drake-espn-2014-kendrick-lamar-diss-1234877555/ |url-status=live |access-date=May 14, 2024 |website=Vibe |language=en-US |archive-date=May 15, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240515122254/https://www.vibe.com/news/entertainment/marcellus-wiley-drake-espn-2014-kendrick-lamar-diss-1234877555/}}

On March 23, 2017, Lamar released "The Heart Part 4", popularly perceived as a diss track towards Big Sean or Drake.{{Cite web |last=Diaz |first=Angel |title=The Evidence That Kendrick Is Subbing Drake on "The Heart Part 4" |url=https://www.complex.com/music/a/angel-diaz/what-if-kendrick-is-subbing-drake-on-the-heart-part-4 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240507053429/https://www.complex.com/music/a/angel-diaz/what-if-kendrick-is-subbing-drake-on-the-heart-part-4 |archive-date=May 7, 2024 |date=March 24, 2017 |access-date=May 7, 2024 |website=Complex |language=en-us}}{{Cite web |last=Cinnsealach |first=Somhairle |date=March 24, 2017 |title=Who's Kendrick Dissing on "The Heart Part 4"? Big Sean? Drake? ... Donald Trump? |url=https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.42828/title.whos-kendrick-dissing-on-the-heart-part-4-big-sean-drake-donald-trump |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240507053428/https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.42828/title.whos-kendrick-dissing-on-the-heart-part-4-big-sean-drake-donald-trump |archive-date=May 7, 2024 |access-date=May 7, 2024 |website=HipHopDX |language=en}}{{Cite magazine |last=Lang |first=Cady |date=March 24, 2017 |title=The Internet Thinks Kendrick Lamar's New Song Disses Drake |url=https://time.com/4712220/kendrick-lamars-the-heart-part-4-drake-diss/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240501220214/https://time.com/4712220/kendrick-lamars-the-heart-part-4-drake-diss/ |archive-date=May 1, 2024 |access-date=May 7, 2024 |magazine=Time |language=en}} Lamar would later explicitly reference lines from "The Heart Part 4" in his 2024 Drake diss track "Euphoria", seemingly confirming the perception of the former track as a Drake diss.{{Cite web |last=Samra |first=Christine |date=April 30, 2024 |title=Kendrick Lamar releases 'Euphoria' in response to Drake diss |url=https://ktla.com/entertainment/kendrick-lamar-releases-euphoria-in-response-to-drake-diss/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240507053428/https://ktla.com/entertainment/kendrick-lamar-releases-euphoria-in-response-to-drake-diss/ |archive-date=May 7, 2024 |access-date=May 7, 2024 |publisher=KTLA |language=en-US}}

In May 2022, Lamar released his fifth studio album Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers. The fifth song on the album, "Father Time" (featuring Sampha), included a verse from Lamar which referenced Kanye West and Drake's brief peace{{Cite web |last=Ruiz |first=Matthew Ismael |date=December 10, 2021 |title=Here's What Happened at Kanye West and Drake's Free Larry Hoover Benefit Concert |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/heres-what-happened-at-kanye-and-drakes-free-larry-hoover-benefit-concert/ |access-date=May 14, 2024 |website=Pitchfork |language=en-US |archive-date=May 15, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240515122252/https://pitchfork.com/news/heres-what-happened-at-kanye-and-drakes-free-larry-hoover-benefit-concert/ |url-status=live}} during their respective feud: "When Kanye got back with Drake, I was slightly confused / Guess I'm not mature as I think, got some healin' to do". The lines were reported by some outlets as possible disses toward Drake and West, though they were also interpreted as Lamar expressing surprise at Drake and West's reconciliation.{{Cite web |last=Krol |first=Charlotte |date=May 13, 2022 |title=Kendrick Lamar was "confused" by Kanye West and Drake's reconciliation |url=https://www.rollingstone.co.uk/music/news/kendrick-lamar-was-confused-by-kanye-west-and-drake-reconciliation-father-time-song-16778/ |url-status=live |access-date=May 14, 2024 |website=Rolling Stone UK |language=en-GB |archive-date=May 15, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240515122302/https://www.rollingstone.co.uk/music/news/kendrick-lamar-was-confused-by-kanye-west-and-drake-reconciliation-father-time-song-16778/}}{{Cite web |last=Eustice |first=Kyle |date=May 12, 2022 |title=Kendrick Lamar Admits He Was 'Confused' When Kanye West & Drake Reconciled |url=https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.70235/title.kendrick-lamar-admits-he-was-confused-when-kanye-west-drake-reconciled-on-father-time |url-status=live |access-date=May 14, 2024 |website=HipHopDX |language=en |archive-date=May 15, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240515122253/https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.70235/title.kendrick-lamar-admits-he-was-confused-when-kanye-west-drake-reconciled-on-father-time}} In September 2021, Joe Budden alleged Lamar dissed Drake on the song "Family Ties", released the month prior by Baby Keem and Lamar.{{Cite web |last=Robinson |first=Joshua |date=September 2, 2021 |title=Joe Budden Says Kendrick Lamar Was Actually Dissing Drake on "Family Ties" |url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/356733-joe-budden-says-kendrick-lamar-was-actually-dissing-drake-on-family-ties-news |access-date=May 16, 2024 |website=HotNewHipHop |language=en |archive-date=May 15, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240515122736/https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/356733-joe-budden-says-kendrick-lamar-was-actually-dissing-drake-on-family-ties-news |url-status=live}}

{{Main|First Person Shooter (song)|Like That (Future, Metro Boomin and Kendrick Lamar song)}}

File:HOTSPOTATL - 21 Savage & J.Cole Light Birthday Bash ATL 2023 On FIRE (xu6HKf40MX0 - 2m38s) (cropped).jpg's guest verse on Drake's 2023 song "First Person Shooter" greatly escalated the feud]]

In October 2023, J. Cole featured on Drake's track "First Person Shooter," a single from his album For All the Dogs. Cole suggested that he, Drake, and Lamar were part of the "Big Three" greatest rappers in modern hip-hop, and suggested that he was currently the best of the three. {{Cite web |date=May 3, 2024 |title=Drake vs. Kendrick Lamar: the juiciest moments in their beef |url=https://www.cbc.ca/music/drake-kendrick-lamar-2024-feud-highlights-1.7193194 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240503230728/https://www.cbc.ca/music/drake-kendrick-lamar-2024-feud-highlights-1.7193194 |archive-date=May 3, 2024 |access-date=May 9, 2024 |website=CBC.ca}} The song became a smash hit, topping the Billboard Hot 100 chart.{{cite magazine |last1=Trust |first1=Gary |title=Drake & J. Cole's 'First Person Shooter' Debuts Atop Billboard Hot 100, Tying Drake With Michael Jackson for Record |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/chart-beat/drake-j-cole-first-person-shooter-number-one-debut-hot-100-1235443511/ |magazine=Billboard |access-date=February 17, 2025 |date=October 16, 2023}}

Five months later, Lamar responded directly to the track and the "Big Three" notion in a feature on Metro Boomin and Future's song, "Like That" from their album We Don't Trust You. Lamar dissed both Cole and Drake, saying "motherfuck the big three, nigga, it's just big me".{{Cite news |last=Savage |first=Mark |date=April 5, 2024 |title=Kendrick Lamar's beef with Drake and J Cole explained |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-68739398 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240424061248/https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-68739398 |archive-date=April 24, 2024 |access-date=April 24, 2024 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}{{Cite magazine |last=Gee |first=Andre |date=March 25, 2024 |title=Drake Replies to Kendrick Lamar's 'Like That' Diss – Sort Of |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/drake-replies-to-kendrick-lamar-diss-1234993802/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240424054812/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/drake-replies-to-kendrick-lamar-diss-1234993802/ |archive-date=April 24, 2024 |access-date=May 4, 2024 |magazine=Rolling Stone |language=en-US}} Other tracks on We Don't Trust You were interpreted as also containing lyrical shots at Drake, with some fans speculating that the featured artists on the album were chosen for their known animosity towards Drake.{{cite web |last1=Coleman II |first1=C. Vernon |title=Drake and Future Might Have Had Beef for Years |url=https://www.xxlmag.com/drake-future-beef-for-years/ |website=XXL Mag |access-date=February 17, 2025 |language=en |date=March 25, 2024}}{{cite web |last1=Mahadevan |first1=Tara |title=Why People Think Future Dissed Drake on Metro Boomin Coll... |url=https://www.complex.com/music/a/cmplxtara-mahadevan/why-future-shade-drake-metro-boomin-we-dont-trust-you-album |website=Complex |access-date=February 17, 2025 |language=en}}{{cite web |last1=C. Vernon |first1=Coleman II |title=The Conspiracy Files - Is Future and Metro Boomin's New Album a Big Middle Finger to Drake? |url=https://www.xxlmag.com/future-metro-boomin-album-middle-finger-drake-conspiracy/ |website=XXL Mag |access-date=February 17, 2025 |language=en |date=April 1, 2024}}{{cite web |title=Kendrick Lamar Vs. Drake Is a Decade Too Late |url=https://www.theringer.com/2024/03/26/music/kendrick-lamar-drake-beef-like-that-explained-j-cole-future |website=www.theringer.com |language=en |date=March 26, 2024}}

Lamar's diss prompted Cole to release a response song, "7 Minute Drill", in which he criticizes To Pimp a Butterfly.{{Cite web |last=Holmes |first=Charles |date=May 4, 2024 |title=Drake and Kendrick Lamar Is the Last Great Rap Beef. Thank God. |url=https://www.theringer.com/rap/2024/5/4/24149035/drake-kendrick-meet-the-grahams-family-matters-euphoria-diss-beef |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240504224511/https://www.theringer.com/rap/2024/5/4/24149035/drake-kendrick-meet-the-grahams-family-matters-euphoria-diss-beef |archive-date=May 4, 2024 |access-date=May 6, 2024 |website=The Ringer |language=en}} In the days after, he publicly apologized onstage for releasing the song and removed it from streaming services.{{Cite news |last=Holpuch |first=Amanda |date=April 8, 2024 |title=J. Cole Apologizes for Kendrick Lamar Diss Track |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/04/08/arts/music/jcole-kendrick-lamar-diss-apology.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240424053553/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/04/08/arts/music/jcole-kendrick-lamar-diss-apology.html |archive-date=April 24, 2024 |access-date=April 24, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}} Drake did not directly acknowledge "Like That" on tour, simply stating at one concert: "I got my head up high... and I know no matter what there's not another nigga on this Earth that could ever fuck with me". On April 12, Metro Boomin and Future would release a second collaborative album entitled We Still Don't Trust You, featuring more shots towards Drake.{{cite magazine |last1=Diaz |first1=Angel |title=We Break Down Every Sneak Diss on Future & Metro Boomin's 'We Still Don't Trust You' |url=https://www.billboard.com/lists/future-metro-boomin-we-still-dont-trust-you-disses/ |magazine=Billboard |access-date=February 17, 2025 |date=April 12, 2024}}

{{Main|Push Ups (song)|Taylor Made Freestyle}}

On April 13, 2024, early versions of Drake's "Push Ups" were leaked online.{{Cite web |last=Nevares |first=Gabriel Bras |date=April 13, 2024 |title=Rick Ross Responds to Drake: Listen to His Diss Track |url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/787656-drake-rick-ross-diss-response-hip-hop-news |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240414000759/https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/787656-drake-rick-ross-diss-response-hip-hop-news |archive-date=April 14, 2024 |access-date=April 13, 2024 |website=HotNewHipHop}} The song serves as a response to Lamar's verse on "Like That"; Drake claims multiple artists are better than Lamar, including 21 Savage, Travis Scott, and SZA.{{Cite web |last=Smyth |first=Tom |date=May 5, 2024 |title=A Complete Track-by-Track Timeline of Drake and Kendrick Lamar's Feud |url=https://www.vulture.com/article/drake-kendrick-lamar-feud-explained.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240506031629/https://www.vulture.com/article/drake-kendrick-lamar-feud-explained.html |archive-date=May 6, 2024 |access-date=May 6, 2024 |website=Vulture |language=en}} On "Push Ups", Drake also mocks Lamar's short stature of 5 feet 5 inches (1.65 meters), and criticizes Lamar for collaborating with Taylor Swift and other pop artists. In addition, Drake disses numerous other artists on "Push Ups", including Metro Boomin, Future, the Weeknd, ASAP Rocky, and Rick Ross. Shortly afterward, Ross would release a diss track against Drake entitled Champagne Moments.

On April 19, 2024, Drake officially released "Push Ups"; at the same time, he used social media to release "Taylor Made Freestyle", another diss targeted at Lamar. The song featured AI-generated vocals imitating two of Lamar's fellow West Coast rappers, Snoop Dogg and the late Tupac Shakur.{{Cite magazine |last=Peters |first=Mitchell |date=April 20, 2024 |title=Drake Takes Aim at Kendrick Lamar With AI Tupac & Snoop Dogg Vocals on 'Taylor Made Freestyle' Diss Track |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/drake-taylor-made-freestyle-kendrick-lamar-diss-track-ai-tupac-snoop-dogg-1235661905/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240423225528/https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/drake-taylor-made-freestyle-kendrick-lamar-diss-track-ai-tupac-snoop-dogg-1235661905/ |archive-date=April 23, 2024 |access-date=April 24, 2024 |magazine=Billboard}} Shakur and Lamar had been linked ever since Lamar's To Pimp A Butterfly featured extensive references to Shakur's legacy, as well as a posthumous "interview" with Shakur (pulled from a real-life interview with the rapper before his death).{{cite web |last1=Ekpo |first1=Ime |title=What Connects Tupac Shakur And Kendrick Lamar? |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/imeekpo/2024/04/25/what-connects-tupac-shakur-and-kendrick-lamar/ |website=Forbes |access-date=February 17, 2025 |language=en}} Using the voices of both Shakur and Snoop Dogg, as well as his own voice, Drake taunts Lamar for purported cowardice over not yet having responded to "Push Ups", and claims that Lamar held back his response to the track to avoid being drowned out by the chart success of Taylor Swift's new album, The Tortured Poets Department.{{cite web |last1=Horowitz |first1=Steven J. |title=Drake Uses AI Tupac and Snoop Dogg Vocals on 'Taylor Made Freestyle,' References Taylor Swift's New Album 'The Tortured Poets Department' |url=https://variety.com/2024/music/news/drake-taylor-made-freestyle-tupac-shakur-taylor-swift-snoop-dogg-1235977178/ |website=Variety |access-date=February 17, 2025 |date=April 20, 2024}} On this track, Drake makes the feud's first reference to the pedophilia accusations against him, using Shakur's AI-generated voice to implore Lamar: "Talk about him liking young girls, that's a gift from me/Heard it on the Budden Podcast, it's gotta be true."

The song received direct criticism from Shakur's estate, which stated disapproval of the AI-generated verse and threatened to sue Drake to pull the song from social media, citing the violation of Shakur's personality rights and the decision to diss a friend of the estate: "The unauthorized, equally dismaying use of Tupac's voice against Kendrick Lamar{{nbsp}}... who has given nothing but respect to Tupac and his legacy publicly and privately, compounds the insult."{{Cite magazine |last=Donahue |first=Bill |date=April 24, 2024 |title=Tupac Shakur's Estate Threatens to Sue Drake Over Diss Track Featuring AI-Generated Tupac Voice |url=https://www.billboard.com/pro/tupac-shakur-estate-drake-diss-track-ai-generated-voice/ |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240424211554/https://www.billboard.com/pro/tupac-shakur-estate-drake-diss-track-ai-generated-voice/ |archive-date=April 24, 2024 |access-date=April 25, 2024 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}} "Taylor Made Freestyle" was subsequently taken down from social media by Drake on April 26, 2024 (it had only ever been posted on social media, and never shared on streaming services).{{Cite web |last=Monroe |first=Jazz |date=April 26, 2024 |title=Drake Takes Down Kendrick Lamar Diss After Legal Threat From 2Pac Estate |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/drake-takes-down-kendrick-lamar-diss-after-legal-threat-from-2pac-estate/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240427034101/https://pitchfork.com/news/drake-takes-down-kendrick-lamar-diss-after-legal-threat-from-2pac-estate/ |archive-date=April 27, 2024 |access-date=April 29, 2024 |website=Pitchfork |language=en-US}}{{Cite magazine |last=Blistein |first=Jon |date=April 26, 2024 |title=Drake Removes 'Taylor Made Freestyle' After Lawsuit Threat Over AI Tupac |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/drake-removes-taylor-made-freestyle-tupac-estate-legal-threat-1235011453/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240427030317/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/drake-removes-taylor-made-freestyle-tupac-estate-legal-threat-1235011453/ |archive-date=April 27, 2024 |access-date=April 29, 2024 |magazine=Rolling Stone |language=en-US}}

{{Main|Euphoria (Kendrick Lamar song)|6:16 in LA}}

On April 30, 2024, Lamar released a diss track named "Euphoria" in response to Drake. The title has been interpreted as a reference to the TV show Euphoria, a show about high school students for which Drake serves as an executive producer.{{Cite web |last=Ahlgrim |first=Callie |title=Who's winning the Drake vs. Kendrick Lamar showdown? The Compton rapper just released a triumphant music video for 'Not Like Us' |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/drake-kendrick-lamar-rap-beef-winner-critic-reactions-2024-5 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240504062146/https://www.businessinsider.com/drake-kendrick-lamar-rap-beef-winner-critic-reactions-2024-5 |archive-date=May 4, 2024 |date=July 5, 2024 |access-date=August 9, 2024 |website=Business Insider |language=en-US}} Vulture described the track as Lamar showing his "pure hatred" towards Drake. In the track, Lamar criticizes Drake's parenting, saying: "I got a son to raise, but I can see you know nothin' 'bout that". He also claims that Drake's abs were made through plastic surgery.

On May 3, 2024, three days after "Euphoria", Lamar posted an Instagram Reel captioned "6:16 in LA", containing a new diss track,{{Cite web |date=May 3, 2024 |title=Kendrick Lamar Drops Another Drake Diss: '6:16 in L.A.' |url=https://www.hot97.com/news/kendrick-lamar-drops-another-drake-diss-616-in-l-a/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240503132231/https://www.hot97.com/news/kendrick-lamar-drops-another-drake-diss-616-in-l-a/ |archive-date=May 3, 2024 |access-date=May 3, 2024 |website=Hot 97}}{{Cite web |last=Rossignol |first=Derrick |date=May 3, 2024 |title=Kendrick Lamar Didn't Wait for Drake to Answer and Came Back with Another Diss Track, '6:16 in LA' |url=https://uproxx.com/music/kendrick-lamar-616-in-la-drake-diss-track/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240503133710/https://uproxx.com/music/kendrick-lamar-616-in-la-drake-diss-track/ |archive-date=May 3, 2024 |access-date=May 3, 2024 |website=Uproxx}} similar to how Drake released "Taylor Made Freestyle".

The title parodies Drake's "[timestamp] in [city]" song series, including "9AM in Dallas", "5AM in Toronto", and "8AM in Charlotte"; speculation has surrounded the meaning of the time 6:16 in the track's title, with several meanings proposed, including the date of Father's Day 2024 and a potential reference to the Devil.{{Cite web |last=Cowen |first=Trace William |date=May 3, 2024 |title=Kendrick Lamar Drops Second Drake Diss "6:16 in LA": 'Can't Toosie Slide Up Outta This One' |url=https://www.complex.com/music/a/tracewilliamcowen/kendrick-lamar-drake-diss-616-in-la |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240503154941/https://www.complex.com/music/a/tracewilliamcowen/kendrick-lamar-drake-diss-616-in-la |archive-date=May 3, 2024 |access-date=May 3, 2024 |website=Complex}} {{Cite web |last=Cummings-Grady |first=Mackenzie |date=May 3, 2024 |title=Here Are the Hidden Meanings Behind Kendrick Lamar's '6:16 in LA' |url=https://www.xxlmag.com/kendrick-lamar-6-16-hidden-meanings/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240504184408/https://www.xxlmag.com/kendrick-lamar-6-16-hidden-meanings/ |archive-date=May 4, 2024 |access-date=May 4, 2024 |website=XXL |language=en}}

The track was produced by Jack Antonoff, the producer well known for his work on many of Taylor Swift's albums, which was widely interpreted as a response to Drake's comments regarding Taylor Swift on "Push Ups" and "Taylor Made Freestyle". In the track, Lamar claims that members of Drake's camp are leaking information to him, and threatens that Drake's darkest secrets will be exposed if he does not bow out of the beef immediately.{{cite web |last1=Nevares |first1=Gabriel Bras |title=Kendrick Lamar "6:16 In LA": Breaking Down His Lyrical Slaughter Of Drake's Character |url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/796683-kendrick-lamar-616-in-la-lyrics-drake-diss-explained-hip-hop-news |website=HotNewHipHop |access-date=February 17, 2025 |language=en |date=May 3, 2024}}

{{Main|Family Matters (song)|Meet the Grahams}}

On May 3, Drake released "Family Matters", a response to "Euphoria" and "6:16 in LA".{{Cite web |last=Castro |first=Danilo |date=May 4, 2024 |title=Drake Unleashes on Kendrick Lamar with "Family Matters" Diss |url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/796974-drake-unleashes-on-kendrick-lamar-with-family-matters-diss-hip-hop-news |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240504180251/https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/796974-drake-unleashes-on-kendrick-lamar-with-family-matters-diss-hip-hop-news |archive-date=May 4, 2024 |access-date=May 4, 2024 |website=HotNewHipHop |language=en}} In the track, Drake alleges that one of Lamar's children is biologically from Dave Free, Lamar's friend and label co-founder. He also claims Lamar is a domestic abuser and unfaithful in his relationship with his fiancée Whitney Alford. The track is also directed at ASAP Rocky and Metro Boomin, who collaborated with Future on the April 12 diss track "Show of Hands".{{Cite web |last=Turner-Williams |first=Jaelani |title=Fans Speculate Drake Is Still Heartbroken Over Losing Rihanna to ASAP Rocky |url=https://www.complex.com/music/a/jaelaniturnerwilliams/drake-asap-rocky-family-matters-rihanna |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240505013435/https://www.complex.com/music/a/jaelaniturnerwilliams/drake-asap-rocky-family-matters-rihanna |archive-date=May 5, 2024 |date=May 4, 2024 |access-date=May 6, 2024 |website=Complex |language=en-us}}{{Cite web |title=A$AP Rocky Calls Out Drake in 'Show of Hands' Diss Track as He Makes Allusions to Rihanna |url=https://people.com/asap-rocky-calls-out-drake-in-show-of-hands-diss-track-8631062 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240503094803/https://people.com/asap-rocky-calls-out-drake-in-show-of-hands-diss-track-8631062 |archive-date=May 3, 2024 |access-date=May 6, 2024 |website=People |language=en}}{{Cite magazine |last=Saponara |first=Michael |date=May 6, 2024 |title=Metro Boomin Responds to Drake's Disses & Hosts 'BBL Drizzy' Beat Giveaway |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/metro-boomin-response-drake-bbl-drizzy-beat-giveaway-1235674318/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240507004313/https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/metro-boomin-response-drake-bbl-drizzy-beat-giveaway-1235674318/ |archive-date=May 7, 2024 |access-date=May 7, 2024 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}}

As promotion for "Family Matters", Drake used Instagram to drop a short parody remix of Lamar's "Buried Alive Interlude" from Take Care in which he mentions Lamar opening for his Club Paradise Tour.{{cite web |last1=Sadler |first1=Armon |title=Drake Shares Cryptic Instagram Post Amid Kendrick Lamar Beef |url=https://www.vibe.com/news/entertainment/drake-shares-cryptic-instagram-post-kendrick-lamar-beef-1234877418/ |website=VIBE.com |access-date=February 17, 2025 |date=May 9, 2024}}{{Cite web |last=Rose |first=Jordan |title=Breaking Down All of Drake's Shots at Kendrick (and Half the Rap Game) on "Family Matters" |url=https://www.complex.com/music/a/j-rose/breaking-down-all-of-drakes-shots-at-kendrick-diss |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240505013435/https://www.complex.com/music/a/j-rose/breaking-down-all-of-drakes-shots-at-kendrick-diss |archive-date=May 5, 2024 |date=May 4, 2024 |access-date=May 5, 2024 |website=Complex |language=en-us}}{{Cite web |last=Coleman II |first=C. Vernon |date=May 6, 2024 |title=A Timeline of All the Diss Songs Drake and Kendrick Lamar Have Released |url=https://www.xxlmag.com/drake-kendrick-lamar-diss-songs-timeline/ |access-date=May 11, 2024 |website=XXL |language=en |archive-date=May 10, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240510185003/https://www.xxlmag.com/drake-kendrick-lamar-diss-songs-timeline/ |url-status=live }}

Just twenty minutes after the release of "Family Matters", Lamar released another diss track aimed at Drake, titled "Meet the Grahams," produced by The Alchemist.{{Cite web |last=Savage |first=Mark |date=May 4, 2024 |title=Drake and Kendrick Lamar get personal on simultaneously released diss tracks |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-68957553 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240505005627/https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-68957553 |archive-date=May 5, 2024 |access-date=May 5, 2024 |website=BBC}} On the track, Lamar speaks directly to members of Drake's family, telling his son Adonis that he is sorry that his father is Drake. Lamar alleges that Drake is hiding a second child (a daughter), that he is sexually attracted to minors, and that he is running a sex trafficking ring out of his mansion.{{Cite web |last=Elibert |first=Mark |title=Kendrick Lamar Alleges Drake Is Hiding a Daughter on Explosive New Diss Track "Meet the Grahams," Drake Denies It (Update) |url=https://www.complex.com/music/a/markelibert/kendrick-lamar-drake-hiding-daughter-meet-the-grahams-diss |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240504182524/https://www.complex.com/music/a/markelibert/kendrick-lamar-drake-hiding-daughter-meet-the-grahams-diss |archive-date=May 4, 2024 |date=May 4, 2024 |access-date=May 4, 2024 |website=Complex |language=en-us}}{{Cite magazine |last=Saponara |first=Michael |date=May 4, 2024 |title=Kendrick Lamar Quickly Replies to Drake with Blistering 'Meet the Grahams' Diss Track: Listen |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/kendrick-lamar-drake-diss-track-meet-the-grahams-1235673928/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240504182509/https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/kendrick-lamar-drake-diss-track-meet-the-grahams-1235673928/ |archive-date=May 4, 2024 |access-date=May 4, 2024 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Deville |first=Chris |date=May 4, 2024 |title=Kendrick Lamar Alleges That Drake Is Hiding Another Child on New Diss Track "meet the grahams" |url=https://www.stereogum.com/2262217/kendrick-lamar-alleges-that-drake-is-hiding-another-child-on-new-diss-track-meet-the-grahams/music/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240504182914/https://www.stereogum.com/2262217/kendrick-lamar-alleges-that-drake-is-hiding-another-child-on-new-diss-track-meet-the-grahams/music/ |archive-date=May 4, 2024 |access-date=May 4, 2024 |website=Stereogum}} Lamar also disses Drake's OVO label affiliates—claiming they are sex offenders harbored by Drake—and security guard.{{Cite web |last=Rahman |first=Abid |date=May 6, 2024 |title=Drake Denies Predator Allegations in New Kendrick Lamar Diss Track: "I've Never Been with Anyone Underage" |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/music-news/drake-denies-predator-allegations-kendrick-lamar-diss-track-1235890667/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240506041456/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/music-news/drake-denies-predator-allegations-kendrick-lamar-diss-track-1235890667/ |archive-date=May 6, 2024 |access-date=May 6, 2024 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Corcoran |first=Nina |date=May 6, 2024 |title=Drake Responds to Kendrick Lamar with New Song "The Heart Part 6" |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/drake-responds-to-kendrick-lamar-with-new-song-the-heart-part-6-listen/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240506031827/https://pitchfork.com/news/drake-responds-to-kendrick-lamar-with-new-song-the-heart-part-6-listen/ |archive-date=May 6, 2024 |access-date=May 6, 2024 |website=Pitchfork |language=en-US}} He predicts that Drake's mansion "is 'bout to get raided too", referring to the recent federal raids on Sean Combs' mansion as part of an unrelated investigation.

Lamar revealing an alleged second child came in the context of Pusha T's 2018 diss track "The Story of Adidon", in which Pusha T publicly revealed that Drake was hiding a son named Adonis.{{Cite web |last=Blanchet |first=Ben |date=May 5, 2024 |title=Dua Lipa Does 'Deep Dive' Into Drake-Kendrick Lamar Beef in Newsy SNL Sketch |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/dua-lipa-drake-kendrick-lamar-beef-snl_n_66373542e4b001bbb50fd2d0 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240506083916/https://www.huffpost.com/entry/dua-lipa-drake-kendrick-lamar-beef-snl_n_66373542e4b001bbb50fd2d0 |archive-date=May 6, 2024 |access-date=May 6, 2024 |website=HuffPost |language=en}}{{Cite magazine |last=St. Félix |first=Doreen |date=June 1, 2018 |title=How Pusha T's "The Story of Adidon" Viciously Undercuts Drake's Celebrity |url=https://www.newyorker.com/culture/cultural-comment/how-pusha-ts-the-story-of-adidon-viciously-undercuts-drakes-celebrity |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109025237/https://www.newyorker.com/culture/cultural-comment/how-pusha-ts-the-story-of-adidon-viciously-undercuts-drakes-celebrity |archive-date=November 9, 2020 |access-date=May 6, 2024 |magazine=The New Yorker |language=en-US |issn=0028-792X}} Drake responded to Lamar on Instagram: "Nahhhh hold on can someone find my hidden daughter pls and send her to me ... these guys are in shambles", followed by multiple laughing emojis. Fans who were put off by the alleged "lie" about the hidden daughter, uploaded an edited version of the track to social media, where they edited out the third verse of "Meet the Grahams",{{Cite web |last=Castro |first=Danilo |title=Kendrick Lamar Copyright Strikes Edited Version of "Meet The Grahams" |website=HotNewHipHop |date=May 10, 2024 |url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/799920-kendrick-lamar-copyright-strikes-edited-version-meet-the-grahams-hip-hop-news |access-date=May 10, 2024 |archive-date=May 10, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240510172228/https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/799920-kendrick-lamar-copyright-strikes-edited-version-meet-the-grahams-hip-hop-news |url-status=live}} prompting Lamar and his label to file a copyright violation. Charles Holmes of The Ringer wrote that with "Family Matters" and "Meet the Grahams", "the Doomsday Machine has been activated", and the feud was no longer inconsequential.

{{Main|Not Like Us|The Heart Part 6}}

On May 4, 2024, Kendrick Lamar released "Not Like Us", produced by DJ Mustard. In the track, Lamar more explicitly refers to Drake and members of his inner circle as pedophiles, saying: "Say, Drake, I hear you like 'em young. You better not ever go to cell block one" and referencing Drake's album Certified Lover Boy before calling Drake and his crew "certified pedophiles". Lamar's last line of his first verse, "Tryna strike a chord, and it's probably A-minor", an allusion to the accusations of pedophilia against Drake and his crew, became a cultural meme in its own right, with fans loudly chanting the line in later performances.{{cite magazine |last1=Kelly |first1=Tetris |title=5 Things You Need to Know about Kendrick Lamar's Juneteenth 'Pop Out' at Kia Forum in L.A. |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/concerts/5-things-kendrick-lamar-juneteenth-pop-out-kia-forum-los-angeles-1235713215/ |magazine=Billboard |date=June 20, 2024}}{{cite web |last1=Galiher |first1=Stephen Andrew |title=Grammys Crowd Sang 'A-Minor' Line as Kendrick Lamar Accepted Record of the Year |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/grammys-crowd-sang-a-minor-line-as-kendrick-lamar-accepted-record-of-the-year/ |website=VICE |access-date=February 17, 2025 |date=February 3, 2025}}{{cite magazine |last1=Diaz |first1=Angel |title=Kendrick Lamar Appears to Wear 'A-Minor' Chain, Recites Lyric During Super Bowl Set: Fans React |url=https://www.billboard.com/lists/kendrick-lamar-a-minor-chain-super-bowl-halftime-show/they-hit-my-body-up-im-tired/ |magazine=Billboard |access-date=February 17, 2025 |date=February 10, 2025}}

Several members of Drake's crew were mentioned by name in the track, including a direct reference to Baka Not Nice's prior criminal charges of sex trafficking, assault, and robbery of a 22-year-old woman he allegedly forced into prostitution in 2014. He was only convicted of an assault charge and an unrelated weapons charge.{{Cite web |last=Jessica |first=Bennett |date=May 4, 2024 |title=Kendrick Lamar Drops Fourth Drake Diss, "Not Like Us," Produced by Mustard |url=https://www.vibe.com/music/music-news/kendrick-lamar-fourth-drake-diss-not-like-us-1234875839/ |access-date=May 4, 2024 |website=Vibe |archive-date=May 5, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240505013609/https://www.vibe.com/music/music-news/kendrick-lamar-fourth-drake-diss-not-like-us-1234875839/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Perlstein |first=Jeremy |date=May 6, 2024 |title=Why the Kendrick Lamar/Drake Feud is More than Just 'Rap Beef' |url=https://lamag.com/music/why-the-kendrick-lamar-drake-feud-is-more-than-just-rap-beef |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240507021136/https://lamag.com/music/why-the-kendrick-lamar-drake-feud-is-more-than-just-rap-beef |archive-date=May 7, 2024 |access-date=May 7, 2024 |website=Los Angeles |language=en}} The cover art for the track was a satellite image of Drake's mansion labeled with pins representing sexual predators.{{Cite magazine |last=Peters |first=Mitchell |date=May 5, 2024 |title=Kendrick Lamar Fires Back at Drake Yet Again with Scathing 'Not Like Us' Diss Track: Listen |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/kendrick-lamar-drake-diss-track-not-like-us-1235674033/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240506214135/https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/kendrick-lamar-drake-diss-track-not-like-us-1235674033/ |archive-date=May 6, 2024 |access-date=May 7, 2024 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}}

Lamar also levies other accusations against Drake in his third verse, including referring to Drake as a "colonizer", pointing out how he has frequently collaborated with (and in Lamar's view, co-opted the stylings of) Atlanta rappers despite having no roots in the city, and drawing an allusion between this pattern and the history of slavery and indentured servitude in the same region of the U.S.{{cite web |title=Kendrick Lamar's 'Not Like Us' Is Deeper Than Just a Diss Song |url=https://www.theroot.com/kendrick-lamars-not-like-us-is-deeper-than-just-a-diss-1851561380 |website=The Root |language=en |date=June 26, 2024}} Lamar also accuses Drake of disrespecting the Bay Area by using an A.I. version of Tupac's voice on "Taylor Made Freestyle", potentially inciting violence against him: "I think that Oakland show gon' be your last stop, nigga". Lamar hints at having significant further material for criticism of Drake, including many future diss tracks already prepared.

After the release of the song, on Google Maps, fans have found Drake's mansion and have labeled the house, using Google Maps' option to customize locations, as "Owned by Kendrick", as well as things like "A-Minor", referencing the first verse of "Not Like Us" and "Kendrick's Dog", which could be another reference to Drake's latest album, For All the Dogs.{{Cite web |last=Nevares |first=Gabriel Bras |date=May 5, 2024 |title=Kendrick Lamar Fans Label Drake's House on Google Maps: "Owned by Kendrick" |url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/797499-kendrick-lamar-drake-house-google-maps-hip-hop-news |access-date=June 13, 2024 |website=HotNewHipHop |language=en |archive-date=May 6, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240506163318/https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/797499-kendrick-lamar-drake-house-google-maps-hip-hop-news |url-status=live }}

On May 5, 2024, Drake released "The Heart Part 6". The title references Lamar's "The Heart" series, picking up after Lamar's critically acclaimed "The Heart Part 5". In the track, Drake denies the pedophile and grooming allegations made against him.{{Cite web |last=Avila |first=Pamela |title=Drake denies Kendrick Lamar's grooming allegations in new diss track 'The Heart Part 6' |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/music/2024/05/05/drake-the-heart-part-6-diss-track-kendrick-lamar/73582222007/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240506033429/https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/music/2024/05/05/drake-the-heart-part-6-diss-track-kendrick-lamar/73582222007/ |archive-date=May 6, 2024 |date=May 5, 2024 |access-date=May 6, 2024 |website=USA Today |language=en-US}} He claims Lamar's accusations were based on his own trauma stemming from abuse. The Aretha Franklin song "Prove It" is sampled, and uses Franklin's lines "Now let me see you prove it / Just let me see you prove it".{{Cite web |last=Strauss |first=Matthew |date=May 4, 2024 |title=Kendrick Lamar Doesn't Wait for Drake Response, Drops Another New Diss Song "Not Like Us": Listen |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/kendrick-lamar-doesnt-wait-for-drake-response-drops-another-new-diss-song-not-like-us-listen/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240505005059/https://pitchfork.com/news/kendrick-lamar-doesnt-wait-for-drake-response-drops-another-new-diss-song-not-like-us-listen/ |archive-date=May 5, 2024 |access-date=May 5, 2024 |website=Pitchfork |language=en-US}} Drake says: "Only fuckin' with Whitneys, not Millie Bobby Browns, I'd never look twice at no teenager", referring to Drake's friendship with the actress that started when she was 14, and led to accusations on social media that Drake was grooming her.

Drake also alleges that his inner circle fed Lamar false information about having an 11-year-old daughter, which Lamar referenced in "Meet the Grahams".{{Cite web |last=Williams |first=Aaron |date=May 6, 2024 |title=Drake Drops New Kendrick Lamar Diss, 'The Heart Part 6' |url=https://uproxx.com/music/drake-new-kendrick-lamar-diss-track-the-heart-part-6/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240506022654/https://uproxx.com/music/drake-new-kendrick-lamar-diss-track-the-heart-part-6/ |archive-date=May 6, 2024 |access-date=May 6, 2024 |website=Uproxx |language=en-US}} He continues claiming that there were cases of domestic violence in Lamar's relationship with Alford, and claimed that Lamar had not seen his children in 6 months.{{Cite magazine |last=Legaspi |first=Althea |date=May 6, 2024 |title=Drake Refutes Kendrick Lamar's Claims of His Secret Daughter, Being a Pedophile in 'The Heart Part 6' |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/drake-the-heart-part-6-kendrick-lamar-diss-1235015515/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240506041241/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/drake-the-heart-part-6-kendrick-lamar-diss-1235015515/ |archive-date=May 6, 2024 |access-date=May 6, 2024 |magazine=Rolling Stone |language=en-US}} Writing on social media afterwards, Drake predicted Lamar would respond shortly, saying "And we know you're dropping 6 mins after so instead of posting my address you have a lot to address".{{Cite web |last=Harrison |first=Scoop |date=May 5, 2024 |title=Drake Goes on the Defensive Against Kendrick with "The Heart Part 6": Stream |url=https://consequence.net/2024/05/drake-kendrick-lamar-diss-track-the-heart-part-6/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240506031835/https://consequence.net/2024/05/drake-kendrick-lamar-diss-track-the-heart-part-6/ |archive-date=May 6, 2024 |website=Consequence |access-date=May 6, 2024 |language=en-US}} "The Heart Part 6" received negative reviews from critics and fans, amassing an estimated over 1 million dislikes on YouTube.{{Cite web |last=Williams |first=Kyann-Sian |date=May 9, 2024 |title=Drake's latest Kendrick Lamar diss 'The Heart, Part 6' has over 1million dislikes on YouTube |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/drake-the-heart-part-6-has-over-1million-dislikes-on-youtube-kendrick-lamar-feud-3754786 |access-date=May 11, 2024 |website=NME |language=en-GB |archive-date=May 10, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240510230349/https://www.nme.com/news/music/drake-the-heart-part-6-has-over-1million-dislikes-on-youtube-kendrick-lamar-feud-3754786 |url-status=live }}

{{Main|The Pop Out: Ken & Friends|Not Like Us#Music video}}

In June 2024, Lamar announced a one-off concert at the Kia Forum in Inglewood, California, titled The Pop Out: Ken & Friends in reference to a lyric from "Not Like Us" ("Sometimes you gotta pop out and show niggas"). The concert was scheduled for Juneteenth, which Charlamagne tha God suggested was a dig aimed at Drake.{{Cite web |last=Schube |first=Will |date=June 11, 2024 |title=Kendrick Lamar's 'Pop Out' Concert Is Another Drake Dig, Charlamagne Tha God Says |url=https://hiphopdx.com/news/kendrick-lamar-pop-out-concert-drake-dig-charlamagne-tha-god |access-date=June 12, 2024 |website=HipHopDX |language=en}} Lamar opened his part of the show with "Euphoria", which contained updated lyrics aimed at Drake's possession of Tupac Shakur's crown ring. Later in the show, Ab-Soul accompanied Lamar for the debut performance of "6:16 in LA". Lamar performed his verse on "Like That" for the first time before inviting Dr. Dre on stage. Lamar and Dre performed Dre's hits "Still D.R.E." and "California Love", the latter of which Dre had recorded with Shakur. After these two songs, Dre performed the intro to "Not Like Us" ("Pssst, I see dead people"). Lamar concluded the concert with a "Not Like Us" encore, afterwards repeating the song five more times while dancing on stage with colleagues and members of many Los Angeles street gangs, including the Crips and Bloods, before taking a group photo onstage.{{Cite web |last=Squires |first=Bethy |date=June 19, 2024 |title=Kendrick Lamar Played 'Not Like Us' How Many Times? |url=https://www.vulture.com/article/kendick-lamar-not-like-us-the-pop-out.html |access-date=June 20, 2024 |website=Vulture |language=en |archive-date=June 20, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240620221026/https://www.vulture.com/article/kendick-lamar-not-like-us-the-pop-out.html |url-status=live }}

The music video for "Not Like Us" was released on July 4, 2024, in celebration of American Independence Day,{{Cite magazine |last=Stenzel |first=Wesley |date=July 5, 2024 |title=Kendrick Lamar drops music video for Drake diss track 'Not Like Us' on Fourth of July |url=https://ew.com/kendrick-lamar-drops-not-like-us-video-on-fourth-of-july-8674009 |access-date=July 5, 2024 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |archive-date=July 6, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240706114733/https://ew.com/kendrick-lamar-drops-not-like-us-video-on-fourth-of-july-8674009 |url-status=live }} at approximately 3 p.m. PT,{{Cite web |last=William Cowen |first=Trace |date=July 4, 2024 |title=Kendrick Lamar Rolls Out Celebratory "Not Like Us" Video |url=https://www.complex.com/music/a/tracewilliamcowen/kendrick-lamar-not-like-us-video |access-date=July 4, 2024 |website=Complex |archive-date=July 5, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240705010613/https://www.complex.com/music/a/tracewilliamcowen/kendrick-lamar-not-like-us-video |url-status=live }} after four still images from the clip were leaked to social media the day before.{{Cite magazine |last=Lynch |first=Jessica |date=July 4, 2024 |title=Kendrick Lamar Teases 'Not Like Us' Music Video with New Photos |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/kendrick-lamar-not-like-us-music-video-photos-1235724929/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240704044821/https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/kendrick-lamar-not-like-us-music-video-photos-1235724929/ |archive-date=July 4, 2024 |access-date=July 4, 2024 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Armstrong |first=Megan |date=July 3, 2024 |title=Kendrick Lamar Smacks an Owl Piñata While Teasing 'Not Like Us' Video |url=https://uproxx.com/music/kendrick-lamar-not-like-us-video-tease/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240704043020/https://uproxx.com/music/kendrick-lamar-not-like-us-video-tease/ |archive-date=July 4, 2024 |access-date=July 3, 2024 |website=Uproxx |language=en-US}} Dave Free and Lamar directed it, and Charm La'Donna handled the choreography and is also credited as the associate producer.{{Cite web |last=Tharpe |first=Frazier |date=July 4, 2024 |url=https://www.gq.com/story/kendrick-lamar-not-like-us-music-video |title=Watch Kendrick Lamar Put On for His City—and Tame an Owl—in the Video for "Not Like Us" |access-date=July 4, 2024 |website=GQ |archive-date=July 5, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240705015106/https://www.gq.com/story/kendrick-lamar-not-like-us-music-video |url-status=live }} The video features cameos from Tommy the Clown and NBA star DeMar DeRozan (a Compton native and former star of Drake's hometown Toronto Raptors who is mentioned by name in the track),{{cite web |title=Drake and DeMar DeRozan beef: What's going on? |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c2071ny8jl4o |website=www.bbc.com |access-date=February 17, 2025 |date=November 4, 2024}} and is set in Lamar's hometown of Compton, California. By the morning after, the video had reached over 13 million views on YouTube.{{Cite web |last=Tolentino |first=Daysia |date=July 5, 2024 |title=Kendrick Lamar drops 'Not Like Us' music video amid Drake feud |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/kendrick-lamar-drake-feud-not-like-us-music-video-rcna160413 |access-date=July 5, 2024 |website=NBC |archive-date=July 5, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240705162454/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/kendrick-lamar-drake-feud-not-like-us-music-video-rcna160413 |url-status=live }} CNN and NME noted widespread anticipation for the video up to its release.{{Cite web |last=Respers France |first=Lisa |date=July 5, 2024 |title=Kendrick Lamar drops 'Not Like Us' video |url=https://www.cnn.com/2024/07/05/entertainment/kendrick-lamar-not-like-us-video/index.html |access-date=July 5, 2024 |website=CNN |archive-date=July 5, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240705200526/https://www.cnn.com/2024/07/05/entertainment/kendrick-lamar-not-like-us-video/index.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Soo |first=JX |date=July 5, 2024 |title=Compton crowds back up Kendrick Lamar in long-awaited music video for 'Not Like Us' |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/compton-crowds-back-up-kendrick-lamar-in-long-awaited-music-video-for-not-like-us-3772208 |access-date=July 5, 2024 |website=NME |archive-date=July 5, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240705043527/https://www.nme.com/news/music/compton-crowds-back-up-kendrick-lamar-in-long-awaited-music-video-for-not-like-us-3772208 |url-status=live }} Numerous publications and websites called it another victory lap for Lamar in his feud with Drake.{{efn|name=f2|group=note|Publications referring to the "Not Like Us" music video as a victory lap for Lamar include Pitchfork,{{Cite web |last=Strauss |first=Matthew |date=July 4, 2024 |title=Kendrick Lamar Takes His Victory Lap With New "Not Like Us" Video: Watch |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/kendrick-lamar-takes-his-victory-lap-with-new-not-like-us-video-watch/ |access-date=July 5, 2024 |website=Pitchfork |archive-date=July 5, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240705000651/https://pitchfork.com/news/kendrick-lamar-takes-his-victory-lap-with-new-not-like-us-video-watch/ |url-status=live }} Variety,{{Cite web |last=Horowitz |first=Steven |date=July 4, 2024 |title=Kendrick Lamar Releases Video for 'Not Like Us,' Taking a Victory Lap for the West Coast |url=https://variety.com/2024/music/news/kendrick-lamar-not-like-us-video-1236060778/ |access-date=July 5, 2024 |website=Variety |archive-date=July 5, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240705014914/https://variety.com/2024/music/news/kendrick-lamar-not-like-us-video-1236060778/ |url-status=live }} Vulture,{{Cite web |last=Curto |first=Justin |date=July 4, 2024 |title=Kendrick Lamar Takes a Victory Lap with 'Not Like Us' Music Video |url=https://www.vulture.com/article/kendrick-lamar-not-like-us-music-video-drake.html |access-date=July 5, 2024 |website=Vulture |archive-date=July 5, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240705012223/https://www.vulture.com/article/kendrick-lamar-not-like-us-music-video-drake.html |url-status=live }} GQ, People,{{Cite web |last=Perkins |first=Njera |date=July 5, 2024 |title=Kendrick Lamar Takes More Shots at Drake and Whacks an OVO Owl Piñata in Victory Lap 'Not Like Us' Video |url=https://people.com/kendrick-lamar-takes-more-shots-drake-not-like-us-video-watch-8674101 |access-date=July 5, 2024 |website=People |archive-date=July 5, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240705195834/https://people.com/kendrick-lamar-takes-more-shots-drake-not-like-us-video-watch-8674101 |url-status=live }} and The Hollywood Reporter.{{Cite web |last1=Phillips |first1=Zoe |last2=Rahman |first2=Abid |date=July 4, 2024 |title=Kendrick Lamar Releases "Not Like Us" Music Video, Takes More Shots at Drake |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/music-news/kendrick-lamar-not-like-us-music-video-1235939286/ |access-date=July 5, 2024 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |archive-date=July 5, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240705020131/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/music-news/kendrick-lamar-not-like-us-music-video-1235939286/ |url-status=live }}}} The video discredited many allegations and claims that Drake had used to diss Lamar with the appearance of his family dancing happily in the video, as well as the video credits reading "Directed by Dave Free and Kendrick Lamar". It was called a moment of re-ignition of the feud,{{Cite web |last=Weaver |first=Jackson |date=July 5, 2024 |title=Kendrick's Not Like Us music video pits former Raptor DeMar DeRozan against Drake |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/drake-lamar-not-like-us-music-video-1.7255472 |access-date=July 5, 2024 |website=CBC News |archive-date=July 5, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240705185327/https://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/drake-lamar-not-like-us-music-video-1.7255472 |url-status=live }} and was seen as Lamar's "knockout punch" against Drake.{{Cite web |last=Griffin |first=Marc |date=July 5, 2024 |title=Kendrick Lamar Defeats Drake by Unanimous Decision with "Not Like Us" Video |url=https://www.vibe.com/music/videos/kendrick-lamar-drake-not-like-us-video-1234891650/ |access-date=July 5, 2024 |website=Vibe |archive-date=July 5, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240705153224/https://www.vibe.com/music/videos/kendrick-lamar-drake-not-like-us-video-1234891650/ |url-status=live }}

Schoolboy Q was set to commence his Blue Lips Weekends concert tour, in support of his sixth studio album Blue Lips (2024), on July 18, 2024, at History in Toronto.{{Cite web |last=Elibert |first=Mark |date=April 24, 2024 |title=Schoolboy Q Announces 'Blue Lips' Weekends Summer Tour |url=https://www.complex.com/music/a/markelibert/schoolboy-q-announces-blue-lips-weekends-summer-tour |access-date=August 2, 2024 |website=Complex |language=en-us |archive-date=August 2, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240802150818/https://www.complex.com/music/a/markelibert/schoolboy-q-announces-blue-lips-weekends-summer-tour |url-status=live }} The music venue was established in 2021 through a creative partnership between Drake and Live Nation Entertainment.{{Cite web |last=Stevenson |first=Jane |date=November 5, 2021 |title=Making History: An inside look at Drake's new Toronto music venue |url=https://torontosun.com/news/local-news/making-history-an-inside-look-at-drakes-new-toronto-music-venue |access-date=August 2, 2024 |website=Toronto Star}} On the evening prior to opening night, Schoolboy Q announced that the sold-out concert was unexpectedly cancelled.{{Cite web |last=Garcia |first=Thania |date=July 19, 2024 |title=Schoolboy Q Suggests Opening Night of His Tour Was Canceled over Drake and Kendrick Lamar Beef: 'Low-Key Hilarious' |url=https://variety.com/2024/music/news/schoolboy-q-drake-kendrick-beef-cancelled-toronto-show-1236078574/ |access-date=August 2, 2024 |website=Variety |language=en-US}} He blamed the cancellation on Drake and Lamar's feud, citing his longtime friendship with Lamar, and claimed the Toronto Police Service prohibited artists from Top Dawg Entertainment from performing in the city due to safety concerns.{{Cite web |last=Decter |first=Rosie Long |date=July 18, 2024 |title=ScHoolboy Q's Toronto Concert Cancelled, Blames Drake's Beef with Kendrick Lamar |url=https://ca.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/schoolboy-q-drake-kendrick-lamar |access-date=August 2, 2024 |website=Billboard Canada |language=en |archive-date=August 2, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240802150818/https://ca.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/schoolboy-q-drake-kendrick-lamar |url-status=live }} The police agency dismissed rumors of their involvement, saying the decision to cancel the performance was made solely by History.

On July 29, 2024, DJ Scheme played "Not Like Us" at History during his opening set for Ski Mask the Slump God.{{Cite web |last=Hudson |first=Alex |date=July 30, 2024 |title=DJ Scheme Plays Kendrick Lamar's "Not Like Us" at Drake's Venue History |url=https://exclaim.ca/music/article/dj-scheme-plays-not-like-us-at-drake-s-venue-history |access-date=August 2, 2024 |website=Exclaim! |language=en |archive-date=August 2, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240802201602/https://exclaim.ca/music/article/dj-scheme-plays-not-like-us-at-drake-s-venue-history |url-status=live }} The two artists taunted Drake and gloated over the move with Schoolboy Q on social media.{{Cite web |last=Moore |first=Sam |date=July 30, 2024 |title=ScHoolboy Q Enjoys Kendrick Lamar's 'Not Like Us' Taking Over Drake's Toronto Venue |url=https://hiphopdx.com/news/schoolboy-q-kendrick-lamar-not-like-us-drake-toronto-venue |access-date=August 2, 2024 |website=HipHopDX|language=en |archive-date=August 2, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240802201603/https://hiphopdx.com/news/schoolboy-q-kendrick-lamar-not-like-us-drake-toronto-venue |url-status=live }} Sir, who is also signed to Top Dawg Entertainment and has close associations with Lamar, announced the following day that his sold-out concert at History was also cancelled.{{Cite web |last=Elibert |first=Mark |date=July 30, 2024 |title=SiR Announces Toronto Show Is Canceled, Responds to Schoolboy Q's Joke: 'They Don't Like Us' |url=https://www.complex.com/music/a/markelibert/sir-announces-toronto-show-is-canceled |access-date=August 2, 2024 |website=Complex |language=en-us |archive-date=August 2, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240802201602/https://www.complex.com/music/a/markelibert/sir-announces-toronto-show-is-canceled |url-status=live }}

{{main|Not Like Us#Legal actions}}

On November 25, 2024, Drake appeared on a Kick livestream with Canadian streamer xQc, describing himself as "fully intact, mind, body, and soul" and remarking that "you need facts to take me out, fairy tales won't do it".{{Cite web |last=Price |first=Joe |date=November 25, 2024 |title=Kendrick Lamar Appears to React to Drake Streaming With xQc: 'He Trippin?!?' |url=https://www.complex.com/music/a/backwoodsaltar/kendrick-reacts-to-drake-xqc-stream |access-date=November 26, 2024 |website=Complex |language=en}} He also sent additional jabs at the Weeknd and Steve Lacy; the latter and Lamar reacted to the stream with amusement.{{Cite web |last=Blake |first=Cole |date=November 25, 2024 |title=Drake Demands xQc Shut Off The Weeknd's Music During Livestream |url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/863231-drake-xqc-the-weeknd-music-livestream-hip-hop-news |access-date=November 26, 2024 |website=HotNewHipHop |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Sadler |first=Armon |date=November 25, 2024 |title=Kendrick Lamar Reacts To Drake Jabs On xQc Livestream |url=https://www.vibe.com/news/entertainment/kendrick-lamar-reacts-drake-jabs-xqc-1234954081/ |access-date=November 27, 2024 |website=Vibe |language=en-US}} On the same day, Drake filed a petition against Universal Music Group (UMG) and Spotify alleging they violated the RICO Act by using illegal tactics to boost streams for "Not Like Us".{{cite magazine |last1=Donahue |first1=Bill |title=Drake Accuses UMG & Spotify of Scheme to 'Artificially Inflate' Kendrick Lamar's 'Not Like Us' |url=https://www.billboard.com/pro/drake-umg-spotify-schemed-boost-kendrick-not-like-us/ |magazine=Billboard |access-date=November 26, 2024 |date=November 25, 2024}} UMG responded the same day, denying the allegations and stating that "no amount of contrived and absurd legal arguments in this pre-action submission can mask the fact that fans choose the music they want to hear".{{cite magazine |last1=Eggertsen |first1=Chris |title=Universal Music Group Responds to Drake Legal Filing Over 'Not Like Us': 'Offensive & Untrue' |url=https://www.billboard.com/pro/universal-music-responds-drake-legal-filing-kendrick-lamar-fight/ |magazine=Billboard |access-date=November 26, 2024 |date=November 25, 2024}} On November 26, Drake filed another petition against UMG, alleging defamation and a "pay-to-play" scheme between UMG and iHeartRadio.{{Cite magazine |last=Donahue |first=Bill |date=November 26, 2024 |title=Drake Files Second Action Against UMG, Alleging Defamation Over Kendrick Lamar's 'False' Song |url=https://www.billboard.com/pro/drake-second-legal-action-umg-iheart-pay-for-play-defamation/ |access-date=November 26, 2024 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}}

On December 20, 2024, Spotify released opposition papers in response to the original petition, denying allegations of "any arrangement" between themselves and UMG.{{Cite magazine |last=Kreps |first=Daniel |date=December 20, 2024 |title=Spotify Denies Drake's 'Not Like Us' Boosting Claims: 'No Such Agreement' With UMG |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/spotify-denies-drake-not-like-us-claims-umg-1235213253/ |access-date=December 20, 2024 |magazine=Rolling Stone |language=en-US}} Drake's legal representation responded the same day, stating Spotify and UMG "should be perfectly fine complying with this basic discovery request" if they have "nothing to hide".{{Cite web |last=Aswad |first=Jem |date=December 20, 2024 |title=Spotify Slams Drake's Claim That It 'Artificially Inflated' Kendrick Lamar's 'Not Like Us' Streams; Drake's Legal Team Fires Back |url=https://variety.com/2024/music/news/spotify-slams-drake-claim-inflated-kendrick-lamar-streams-1236256265/ |access-date=December 20, 2024 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}

On January 15, 2025, Drake filed a lawsuit against UMG for defamation; Lamar was not included as a defendant.{{Cite news |last=Stempel |first=Jonathan |date=January 15, 2025 |orig-date= |title=Drake sues longtime label UMG for defamation over Kendrick Lamar's 'Not Like Us' |url=https://www.reuters.com/legal/drake-sues-longtime-label-umg-defamation-over-kendrick-lamars-not-like-us-2025-01-15/ |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250117124045/https://www.reuters.com/legal/drake-sues-longtime-label-umg-defamation-over-kendrick-lamars-not-like-us-2025-01-15/ |archive-date=January 17, 2025 |access-date=February 11, 2025 |work=Reuters |language=en-US}} On March 17, 2025, UMG filed a motion to dismiss Drake's lawsuit.{{Cite web |last=Horowitz |first=Steven J. |date=March 17, 2025 |title=Drake’s Label Files to Dismiss Lawsuit Over Kendrick Lamar’s ‘Not Like Us,’ Says Rapper ‘Lost a Rap Battle He Provoked’ |url=https://variety.com/2025/music/news/drake-kendrick-lamar-not-like-us-lawsuit-motion-dismiss-1236339456/ |access-date=March 18, 2025 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}

In September 2024, shortly after being announced as the halftime show musical guest for the upcoming Super Bowl, Lamar dropped his first track following the beef, an untitled Instagram-only release known colloquially as "Watch the Party Die" after its refrain; the song did not mention Drake, and was interpreted as an attempt to reshape the narrative from the beef towards Lamar's broader goals of shifting hip-hop away from glorifying luxury and the celebrity lifestyle (symbolized by Drake) and towards lyricism and music with a deeper meaning.{{cite web |last=Carr |first=Mary Kate |date=September 12, 2024 |title=Kendrick Lamar skips the VMAs to Watch The Party Die |url=https://www.avclub.com/kendrick-lamar-drops-new-song-drake-vmas-teases-more |access-date=March 24, 2025 |website=The A.V. Club}}{{cite web |last1=Squires |first1=Bethy |title=Kendrick Lamar Shocks World by Not Torching Drake on New Song |url=https://www.vulture.com/article/kendrick-lamar-new-song-watch-the-party-die.html |website=Vulture |access-date=February 17, 2025 |language=en |date=September 11, 2024}}{{cite web |last1=Kearse |first1=Stephen |date=September 13, 2024 |title=Kendrick Lamar: "[Untitled]" |url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/tracks/kendrick-lamar-untitled/ |access-date=February 17, 2025 |website=Pitchfork}}

Lamar followed up this teaser track with a new studio album, GNX, that autumn. The album did not directly mention Drake, nor did it feature any of that spring's diss tracks; however, many of its songs, particularly the opening track "Wacced Out Murals", were interpreted as containing reflections on the feud and further indirect shots at Drake.{{cite web |title=On 'GNX,' Kendrick Lamar Addresses Super Bowl, Drake Beef... |url=https://www.complex.com/music/a/dimassanfiorenzo/kendrick-lamar-gnx-album-review |website=Complex |language=en}}{{cite web |last1=Bal |first1=Aaratrika |title=From Drake to Lil Wayne: All direct and indirect references in Kendrick Lamar's Wacced Out Murals explored |url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/us/music/news-from-drake-lil-wayne-all-direct-indirect-references-kendrick-lamar-s-wacced-out-murals-explored |website=www.sportskeeda.com |access-date=February 17, 2025 |language=en-us |date=November 23, 2024}}{{cite web |last1=Burney |first1=Lawrence |title=On Kendrick Lamar's 'GNX', The Hardest Diss Song Is A History Lesson |url=https://www.gq.com/story/on-kendrick-lamars-gnx-the-hardest-diss-song-is-a-history-lesson |website=GQ |date=November 27, 2024}} Lamar also included a track on the album entitled "Heart Pt. 6", reusing the title that Drake had earlier claimed for his feud-ending track.{{cite web |title=Kendrick Lamar Reclaims 'Heart Pt. 6' From Drake on Surprise Album 'GNX' {{!}} Billboard Canada |url=https://ca.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/kendrick-lamar-heart-pt-6 |website=ca.billboard.com |access-date=February 17, 2025 |language=en}}

On January 3, 2025, producer Conductor Williams, who had previously produced with Drake on For All the Dogs, posted and then took down a link to a Drake freestyle dubbed "Fighting Irish Freestyle".{{Cite web |last=Cowen |first=Trace William |date=January 3, 2025 |title=Drake Freestyle Produced by Conductor Williams Surfaces |url=https://www.complex.com/music/a/tracewilliamcowen/drake-freestyle-conductor-williams |access-date=January 4, 2025 |website=Complex |language=en}} Drake addresses the feud in the freestyle and, according to many commentators, takes shots at LeBron James.{{Cite web |last=Williams |first=Aaron |date=January 3, 2025 |title=Drake Addresses His Kendrick Lamar Beef In A New Freestyle |url=https://uproxx.com/music/drake-conductor-williams-freestyle-kendrick-lamar-beef/ |access-date=January 4, 2025 |website=UPROXX |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Chiari |first=Mike |title=Fans Theorize Drake Dissed LeBron James on 'Fighting Irish' Song amid Kendrick Beef |url=https://www.bleacherreport.com/articles/10149471-fans-theorize-drake-dissed-lebron-james-on-fighting-irish-song-amid-kendrick-beef |access-date=January 4, 2025 |website=Bleacher Report |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=DeVille |first=Chris |date=January 3, 2025 |title=Drake Appears To Threaten Former Ally LeBron James In Quickly Deleted "Fighting Irish" Freestyle |url=https://www.stereogum.com/2291990/drake-appears-to-call-out-former-ally-lebron-james-in-quickly-deleted-fighting-irish-freestyle/news/ |access-date=January 4, 2025 |website=Stereogum |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Elibert |first=Mark |date=January 4, 2025 |title=Fans Think Drake Alludes to LeBron James in Surfaced Song |url=https://www.complex.com/music/a/markelibert/fans-think-drake-mentions-lebron-james-fighting-irish-freestyle-song |access-date=January 4, 2025 |website=Complex |language=en}} James, who Drake was formerly friends with and even has a tattoo of, attended Lamar's Pop Out concert and has been seen dancing to "Not Like Us".{{Cite web |last=Molloy |first=Laura |date=January 4, 2025 |title=Drake drops new 'Fighting Irish' freestyle |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/drake-drops-new-fighting-irish-freestyle-3826012 |access-date=January 4, 2025 |website=NME |language=en-GB}} Other lyrics in the song were read as targeting UMG, DeMar DeRozan, and Lil Wayne.{{Cite web |last=Horvath |first=Zachary |date=January 3, 2025 |title=Drake's Hamptons Reference On "Fighting Irish" Freestyle Provokes J. Cole & Lil Wayne Diss Speculation |url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/873909-drake-hamptons-bars-on-fighting-irish-speculation-hip-hop-news |access-date=January 4, 2025 |website=HotNewHipHop |language=en}}{{Cite magazine |last=Saponara |first=Michael |date=January 3, 2025 |title=Drake Calls Out Those Who Switched Sides on Him During Kendrick Lamar Beef on 'Fighting Irish' |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/drake-freestyle-kendrick-lamar-feud-conductor-williams-fighting-irish-1235868786/ |access-date=January 4, 2025 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}} The song received mixed reactions from critics, with HipHopDX writing that "after retreating in his beef with Kendrick following the underwhelming reception to 'The Heart Part 6', the tough talk just feels empty".{{Cite web |last=Bustard |first=Andy |date=January 4, 2025 |title=Who Is Drake Taking Shots At On His New 'Fighting Irish Freestyle'? |url=https://hiphopdx.com/news/drake-fighting-irish-freestyle-disses-explained |access-date=January 14, 2025 |website=HipHopDX |language=en}}

{{see also|67th Annual Grammy Awards}}

"Not Like Us" was nominated in five different categories at the 67th Annual Grammy Awards (Record of the Year, Song of the Year, Best Rap Performance, Best Rap Song, and Best Music Video) and won all of them.{{Cite web |last=Moorman |first=Taijuan |date=November 8, 2024 |title=Kendrick Lamar vs. Drake: 'Not Like Us' gets record, song of the year Grammy nominations |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/music/2024/11/08/kendrick-lamar-drake-grammy-2025-nominations-not-like-us/76093323007/ |access-date=February 10, 2025 |website=USA Today |language=en}} It became only the second rap song ever to win in the Record of the Year and Song of the Year categories, generally considered the Grammys' most prestigious awards for performance and songwriting in an individual song, respectively.{{cite web |last1=Coscarelli |first1=Joe |title=Kendrick Lamar's 'Not Like Us' Wins Record and Song of the Year |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/02/arts/music/kendrick-lamar-not-like-us-record-of-the-year.html |website=The New York Times |date=February 3, 2025}}

Though Lamar did not mention Drake in his victory speeches, instead dedicating them to the city of Los Angeles (which had recently been impacted by the January 2025 wildfires), his outfit at the ceremony – a denim top along with denim pants, known as a "Canadian tuxedo" – was seen as a playful jab at the Canadian-born Drake.{{Cite web |last=Bolden |first=Janeé |date=February 3, 2025 |title=Kendrick Lamar Dominated Grammys With "Not Like Us," Cementing His Place as West Coast Royalty |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/music-news/kendrick-lamar-dominated-grammys-not-like-us-1236125989/ |access-date=February 10, 2025 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en}} The Grammys audience, including numerous celebrities, could be heard singing along to Not Like Us and its "A Minor" line as it played while Lamar entered to accept his awards.

{{Main|Super Bowl LIX halftime show}}

On September 8, 2024, Lamar was announced as the headlining act for the February 2025 Super Bowl LIX halftime show at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans. In the video announcing his selection, Lamar said "You know it's only one opportunity to win a championship. No round twos", which was interpreted as a shot against Drake, who posted a few weeks before that "we will win Game 2".{{Cite web |date=September 8, 2024 |title=Kendrick Lamar announces Super Bowl halftime show with subtle 'dig' at Drake |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/kendrick-lamar-super-bowl-2025-drake-b2609110.html |access-date=February 10, 2025 |website=The Independent |language=en}}{{Cite magazine |last=Diaz |first=Angel |date=September 10, 2024 |title=Pusha T Backs Up Kendrick Lamar's Apparent 'No Round Twos' Drake Swipe in Super Bowl Announcement: 'This Is True' |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/pusha-t-kendrick-lamar-drake-no-round-twos-super-bowl-halftime-1235770986/ |access-date=February 10, 2025 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=Kendrick Lamar to Perform at Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show |url=https://www.complex.com/music/a/treyalston/kendrick-lamar-super-bowl-lix-halftime-show |access-date=February 10, 2025 |website=Complex |language=en}} Speculation arose as to whether he would incorporate "Not Like Us" into his performance.{{Cite web |last=Anderson |first=Jason |date=February 9, 2025 |title=Kendrick Lamar Super Bowl setlist: What we know about the songs he'll perform |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/super-bowl/2025/02/09/kendrick-lamar-super-bowl-setlist/78362910007/ |access-date=February 10, 2025 |website=USA Today |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Cunningham |first=Kyndall |date=February 9, 2025 |title=What to know about Kendrick Lamar's Super Bowl halftime show — "Not Like Us" included |url=https://www.vox.com/culture/398385/kedndrick-lamar-grammys-drake-super-bowl-not-like-us-halftime-show |access-date=February 10, 2025 |website=Vox Media |language=en-US}} Justin Sayles of The Ringer called the halftime performance announcement as the capstone of a year that had seen Lamar "ascend to the highest levels" of popular culture, and seen Drake "sink to the lowest levels" of his career.{{Cite web |last=Sayles |first=Justin |date=September 8, 2024 |title=Kendrick Lamar's Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show Is the Final Nail in Drake's Coffin |url=https://www.theringer.com/music/2024/9/8/24239272/kendrick-lamar-super-bowl-lix-halftime-drake-beef-not-like-us |access-date=September 9, 2024 |website=The Ringer |language=en}}

Lamar performed "Euphoria" and "Not Like Us" during the show. He also wore a chain with a lowercase "a" on it, which was either referencing pgLang or the musical chord A minor (which also references the phrase popularised by the latter track).{{cite web |last1=Gee |first1=Maddie |title=The Symbolism Behind Kendrick Lamar's "a" Chain |url=https://raptv.com/article/kendrick-lamar-a-chain-from-the-super-bowl-explained/ |website=RapTV |access-date=February 13, 2025}} In an interlude during the middle of the set, Lamar teased the latter song and alluded to Drake's litigation by quipping "I want to perform their favorite song, but you know they love to sue", which was followed by a brief audio clip of the song's introduction.{{Cite news |last=Grimes |first=Prince J. |date=February 9, 2025 |title=Kendrick Lamar trolled Drake with a lawsuit joke before his Super Bowl Not Like Us performance |url=https://ftw.usatoday.com/2025/02/kendrick-lamar-halftime-show-super-bowl-drake-lawsuit-not-like-us |website=USA Today|access-date=February 10, 2025}} In another interlude after performing "All the Stars" towards the end of the set, he said "they tried to rig the game but you can't fake influence", then launched into "Not Like Us".{{Cite news |last=Madden |first=Sidney |date=February 10, 2025 |title=Kendrick Lamar brought West Coast hip hop, Uncle Sam and Serena Williams to the Super Bowl |url=https://www.npr.org/2025/02/09/nx-s1-5288004/super-bowl-half-time-kendrick-lamar-sza |website=NPR|access-date=February 10, 2025}} Lamar looked directly into the camera with a smile when he rapped "Say Drake, I hear you like 'em young". The lyric including the word "pedophile" was censored, but the audience could be heard shouting the lyric "tryna strike a chord and it's probably A minor" along with him a few lines later.

Professional tennis player Serena Williams, who shares Lamar's hometown of Compton, made a cameo appearance as a dancer doing a crip walk during "Not Like Us",{{Cite web |date=February 10, 2025 |title=Every surprise celebrity guest in Kendrick Lamar's Super Bowl halftime show |url=https://www.the-independent.com/arts-entertainment/music/news/kendrick-lamar-super-bowl-celebrity-guests-setlist-songs-b2695212.html |access-date=February 11, 2025 |website=The Independent |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=February 10, 2025 |title=Serena Williams adds star power to Kendrick Lamar's halftime show |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/43724706/kendrick-lamar-serena-williams-half-show-super-bowl-lix-2025 |access-date=February 10, 2025 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}} a reference to Williams performing a similar dance after her victory at the 2012 Summer Olympics, for which she faced some criticism. Williams's appearance was also received as a diss towards Drake, with whom she was rumored to have dated several years earlier.{{cite web |date=February 11, 2025 |title=Serena Williams crip walks at surprise Super Bowl appearance |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cn57n1dw24go |accessdate=February 11, 2025 |publisher=BBC}}{{cite magazine |last=Jeyaretnam |first=Miranda |date=February 10, 2025 |title=The Meaning Behind Serena Williams Dancing During the Super Bowl Halftime Show |url=https://time.com/7214650/serena-williams-crip-walk-super-bowl-kendrick-lamar-halftime-show/ |magazine=Time |accessdate=February 11, 2025}}{{cite web |last=Gayle |first=Latoya |date=February 10, 2025 |title=Serena Williams Has the Last Laugh with Her Surprise Super Bowl Moves as She Claps Back at Past Wimbledon Criticism |url=https://people.com/serena-williams-super-bowl-claps-back-past-criticism-8788800 |accessdate=February 11, 2025 |work=People}}

The critical response to the performance was positive. Lisa Respers France of CNN called "Not Like Us" the star of the halftime performance, while Maria Sherman of the Associated Press called Lamar performing the song on the biggest stage in U.S. sports a few days after it swept the Grammy Awards "another step in Lamar's continued victory lap".{{Cite web |last=Frances |first=Lisa Respers |date=February 10, 2025 |title=How Drake lost worse than the Chiefs at the Super Bowl |url=https://www.cnn.com/2025/02/10/entertainment/drake-serena-williams-kendrick-lamar/index.html |access-date=February 10, 2025 |website=CNN |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Sherman |first=Maria |date=February 9, 2025 |title=Review: Kendrick Lamar brings America and 'Not Like Us' into history-making Super Bowl halftime show |url=https://apnews.com/article/super-bowl-2025-halftime-show-review-1dc2bce615ebfba0c8af0ea7c3ce4b9d |access-date=February 10, 2025 |website=Associated Press |language=en}}

{{Main|Gimme a Hug}}

On February 14, 2025, less than one week after Lamar's Super Bowl performance, Drake released a collaborative album with PartyNextDoor titled $ome $exy $ongs 4 U. This was Drake's first major release in nearly one year following the beef.{{cite web |last1=Coscarelli |first1=Joe |title=Drake Releases New Album, 'Some Sexy Songs 4 U,' Pivoting From Rap Beef |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/14/arts/music/drake-some-sexy-songs-partynextdoor.html?smtyp=cur&smid=fb-nytimes |website=The New York Times |access-date=February 17, 2025 |date=February 14, 2025}} Drake had previously stated that he would minimize the beef in the album; however, the track "Gimme a Hug" contained a verse that was widely interpreted as being about the beef.{{cite web |last1=Bustard |first1=Andy |title=Drake Addresses Kendrick Lamar Beef, Disses Joe Budden On 'Some Sexy Songs 4 U' |url=https://hiphopdx.com/news/drake-addresses-kendrick-lamar-beef-disses-joe-budden-some-sexy-songs-4-u |website=HipHopDX |access-date=February 17, 2025 |language=en |date=February 14, 2025}} In the track, Drake touts his resilience despite many fans' desire to see his career ended, says he wants to "get the party lit" (a likely reference to Lamar's "Watch the Party Die" track from September 2024), and makes an indirect diss at his view that Lamar's music is too cerebral to party to, saying it would have "girls...twerking with a dictionary". Around the same time, Drake wore a shirt with bullet holes in it to symbolize his resilience around the beef while on tour in Australia.

Drake has been supported by Birdman, Azealia Banks, 50 Cent, the Game, DJ Akademiks, Adin Ross and Juelz Santana, among others.{{efn|group=note|Support for Drake: {{Columns-list|colwidth=30em|

• Birdman{{Cite web |last=Cowen |first=Trace William |title=Birdman Shows Support for Drake amid Expansive Rap Beef: 'I'm Ridin with You 4L' |url=https://www.complex.com/music/a/tracewilliamcowen/birdman-shows-support-drake-beef |date=April 15, 2024 |access-date=May 9, 2024 |website=Complex |language=en-us |archive-date=May 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240523210218/https://www.complex.com/music/a/tracewilliamcowen/birdman-shows-support-drake-beef |url-status=live }}
• Azealia Banks{{Cite web |last=Mahadevan |first=Tara |date=May 2, 2024 |title=Azealia Banks Calls Kendrick Lamar a 'Small, Fake Gangsta Nepo Baby,' Says Drake 'Won' Beef |url=https://www.complex.com/music/a/cmplxtara-mahadevan/azealia-banks-kendrick-lamar-drake-diss |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240506123627/https://www.complex.com/music/a/cmplxtara-mahadevan/azealia-banks-kendrick-lamar-drake-diss |archive-date=May 6, 2024 |access-date=May 6, 2024 |website=Complex |language=en-us}}
• 50 Cent{{Cite web |last=Eustice |first=Kyle |date=May 4, 2024 |title=50 Cent Ripped on His Own Instagram Post for Supporting Drake |url=https://allhiphop.com/news/50-cent-ripped-on-his-own-instagram-post-for-supporting-drake/#google_vignette |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240506172026/https://allhiphop.com/news/50-cent-ripped-on-his-own-instagram-post-for-supporting-drake |archive-date=May 6, 2024 |access-date=May 7, 2024 |website=HipHopDX |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Blake |first=Cole |date=May 4, 2024 |title=50 Cent Reacts to Drake's "Family Matters" Diss: "He Spinning on All Y'all" |url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/797269-50-cent-reacts-drake-family-matters-diss-hip-hop-news |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240505204535/https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/797269-50-cent-reacts-drake-family-matters-diss-hip-hop-news |archive-date=May 5, 2024 |access-date=May 7, 2024 |website=HotNewHipHop |language=en}}
• The Game{{Cite web |last=Coleman II |first=C. Vernon |date=April 17, 2024 |title=The Game Shares Ominous Post and Makes Fans Think He's Siding with Drake |url=https://www.xxlmag.com/the-game-siding-with-drake/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240509061156/https://www.xxlmag.com/the-game-siding-with-drake/ |archive-date=May 9, 2024 |access-date=May 7, 2024 |website=XXL |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Nevares |first=Gabriel Bras |date=May 6, 2024 |title=The Game Seemingly Disses Rick Ross over Drake & Kendrick Lamar Beef |url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/797926-rick-ross-the-game-beef-kendrick-lamar-drake-hip-hop-news |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240506182017/https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/797926-rick-ross-the-game-beef-kendrick-lamar-drake-hip-hop-news |archive-date=May 6, 2024 |access-date=May 7, 2024 |website=HotNewHipHop |language=en}}
• Juelz Santana{{Cite web |last=Taylor |first=Jeremy |date=May 5, 2024 |title=Juelz Santana Has interesting Opinion on Drake Kendrick Lamar Beef |url=https://www.hiphoplately.com/juelz-santana-has-interesting-opinion-on-drake-kendrick-lamar-beef/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240507162830/https://www.hiphoplately.com/juelz-santana-has-interesting-opinion-on-drake-kendrick-lamar-beef/ |archive-date=May 7, 2024 |access-date=May 7, 2024 |website=Hip-Hop Lately |language=en}}

}}}} Lamar has been supported by Metro Boomin, Future, Pusha T, Kanye West, The Weeknd, ASAP Rocky, Rick Ross, Serena Williams, Joe Budden and Jay Rock, among others.{{efn|group=note|Support for Lamar: {{Columns-list|colwidth=30em|

• Metro Boomin{{cite web|url=https://www.complex.com/music/a/jaelaniturnerwilliams/jay-rock-metro-boomin-punch-react-kendrick-lamar-diss|title=Jay Rock, Metro Boomin, Punch and More React to Kendrick Lamar's Drake Diss "Euphoria"|first=Jaelani|last=Turner-Williams|website=Complex|date=April 30, 2024|access-date=May 7, 2024|archive-date=May 2, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240502173416/https://www.complex.com/music/a/jaelaniturnerwilliams/jay-rock-metro-boomin-punch-react-kendrick-lamar-diss|url-status=live}}{{Cite web |last=Garcia |first=Thania |date=April 1, 2024 |title=The Diss Track Is Back: Kendrick Lamar's Shots Against Drake and J. Cole Send Metro Boomin and Future's 'Like That' to No. 1 |url=https://variety.com/2024/music/news/future-metro-boomin-kendrick-lamar-drake-diss-track-number-one-1235956864/ |access-date=May 9, 2024 |website=Variety |archive-date=April 14, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240414020803/https://variety.com/2024/music/news/future-metro-boomin-kendrick-lamar-drake-diss-track-number-one-1235956864/ |url-status=live }}
• Future{{Cite web |last=Rose |first=Jordan |title=Every Rapper Potentially Feuding with Drake Right Now |url=https://www.complex.com/music/a/j-rose/every-rapper-potentially-feuding-with-drake-right-now |website=Complex |date=April 1, 2024 |access-date=May 4, 2024| url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240424153827/https://www.complex.com/music/a/j-rose/every-rapper-potentially-feuding-with-drake-right-now |archive-date=April 24, 2024 |language=en-us}}
• Pusha T{{Cite web |last=Elibert |first=Mark |title=Pusha T Gives Kendrick's "Euphoria" Shoutout His Stamp of Approval: 'Incredible Display of Battle Raps' |url=https://www.complex.com/music/a/markelibert/pusha-t-kendrick-lamar-euphoria-reaction |date=June 19, 2024 |access-date=June 19, 2024 |website=Complex |language=en-us}}
• Kanye West{{Cite web |last=Nevares |first=Gabriel Bras |date=April 20, 2024 |title=Kanye West Disses Drake & J. Cole on Alleged "Like That" Remix Leaked by Adam22: Listen |url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/790831-kanye-west-like-that-remix-drake-j-cole-diss-hip-hop-news |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240426163408/https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/790831-kanye-west-like-that-remix-drake-j-cole-diss-hip-hop-news |archive-date=April 26, 2024 |access-date=May 4, 2024 |website=HotNewHipHop |language=en}}{{Cite magazine |last=Ihaza |first=Jeff |date=April 21, 2024 |title=Kanye West Jumps into the Drake v. Everybody Rap Feud with 'Like That' Remix |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/kanye-west-drake-beef-like-that-remix-1235008129/ |access-date=May 9, 2024 |magazine=Rolling Stone |language=en-US |archive-date=May 9, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240509150753/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/kanye-west-drake-beef-like-that-remix-1235008129/ |url-status=live }}
• The Weeknd{{Cite web |last=Price |first=Joe |title=The Weeknd Appears to Shade Drake and OVO on "All to Myself": 'Thank God I Never Signed My Life Away' |url=https://www.complex.com/music/a/backwoodsaltar/the-weeknd-shade-drake-ovo-on-all-to-myself |website=Complex |date=April 12, 2024 |access-date=May 4, 2024 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240502020712/https://www.complex.com/music/a/backwoodsaltar/the-weeknd-shade-drake-ovo-on-all-to-myself |archive-date=May 2, 2024 |language=en-us}}{{Cite magazine |last=Saponara |first=Michael |date=April 12, 2024 |title=Here's Why Fans Believe A$AP Rocky & The Weeknd Dissed Drake on Future & Metro Boomin's We Still Don't Trust You |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/the-weeknd-asap-rocky-diss-drake-we-still-dont-trust-you-1235654934/ |access-date=May 9, 2024 |magazine=Billboard |archive-date=May 1, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240501121018/https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/the-weeknd-asap-rocky-diss-drake-we-still-dont-trust-you-1235654934/ |url-status=live }}
• ASAP Rocky{{Cite web |last=Griffin |first=Marc |date=April 12, 2024 |title=A$AP Rocky Defends Rihanna with Venomous Drake Diss "Show Of Hands" |url=https://www.vibe.com/music/music-news/asap-rocky-defends-rihanna-drake-diss-show-of-hands-1234869435/ |access-date=May 9, 2024 |website=Vibe |language=en-US |archive-date=May 9, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240509150748/https://www.vibe.com/music/music-news/asap-rocky-defends-rihanna-drake-diss-show-of-hands-1234869435/ |url-status=live }}
• Rick Ross{{Cite web |last=Murray |first=Conor |title=Drake and Rick Ross Beef: What to Know About the Diss Tracks, Nose Job Allegations and 'BBL Drizzy' |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/conormurray/2024/04/15/drake-and-rick-ross-beef-what-to-know-about-the-diss-tracks-nose-job-allegations-and-bbl-drizzy/ |date=April 15, 2024 |access-date=May 9, 2024 |website=Forbes |language=en |archive-date=May 9, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240509033959/https://www.forbes.com/sites/conormurray/2024/04/15/drake-and-rick-ross-beef-what-to-know-about-the-diss-tracks-nose-job-allegations-and-bbl-drizzy/ |url-status=live }}
• Jay Rock}}}}

File:Metro Boomin 2024.png played a significant part in the feud on the side of Lamar]]

HotNewHipHop referred to Metro Boomin as being a major part of the feud.{{Cite web |last=Cole |first=Alexander |date=May 6, 2024 |title=Metro Boomin Reacts to Drake's "The Heart Part 6" with Hilarious Chris Paul Meme |url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/797690-metro-boomin-reacts-drake-the-heart-part-6-chris-paul-hip-hop-news |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240507005305/https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/797690-metro-boomin-reacts-drake-the-heart-part-6-chris-paul-hip-hop-news |archive-date=May 7, 2024 |access-date=May 7, 2024 |website=HotNewHipHop |language=en}} In "Push Ups", Drake directly dismisses Metro's involvement in the feud with the line "Metro, shut your ho ass up and make some drums, nigga".{{Cite web|url=https://www.theverge.com/2024/4/16/24132145/drake-ai-deepfake-diss-track-metro-boomin-drumline|title=Drake muddies the "Push Ups" AI debate with a deepfake|first=Wes|last=Davis|date=April 16, 2024|website=The Verge|access-date=May 13, 2024|archive-date=May 12, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240512181922/https://www.theverge.com/2024/4/16/24132145/drake-ai-deepfake-diss-track-metro-boomin-drumline|url-status=live}} On "Family Matters", Drake targeted Metro Boomin again, saying one of Metro's friends had sex with his girlfriend. On May 5, Metro responded to Drake's claim, saying: "what we not gon do is spread lies and have my loved ones involved nobody ever hit [had sex with] my girl nigga". He also posted the image of Drake in blackface that had been used for the cover of "The Story of Adidon".{{Cite web |last=Ocho |first=Alex |title=Metro Boomin Goes In on Drake, Drops "BBL Drizzy" with Beat Giveaway and $10K Reward: 'Now Go Make Another Song Telling More Lies' |url=https://www.complex.com/music/a/alex-ocho/metro-boomin-bbl-drizzy-drake-responds |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240506085553/https://www.complex.com/music/a/alex-ocho/metro-boomin-bbl-drizzy-drake-responds |archive-date=May 6, 2024 |date=May 5, 2024 |access-date=May 7, 2024 |website=Complex |language=en-us}}

Boosie Badazz criticized both Lamar and Drake and their respective fanbases over the feud, expressing that the feud undermines their careers and respective contributions to the genre.{{Cite web |last=Castro |first=Danilo |date=May 7, 2024 |title=Boosie Badazz Claims Drake vs Kendrick Lamar Battle Went Too Far |url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/798232-boosie-badazz-claims-drake-vs-kendrick-lamar-battle-went-too-far-hip-hop-news |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240507175431/https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/798232-boosie-badazz-claims-drake-vs-kendrick-lamar-battle-went-too-far-hip-hop-news |archive-date=May 7, 2024 |access-date=May 7, 2024 |website=HotNewHipHop |language=en}} Kurupt, Ice Cube, and Questlove echoed similar sentiments, with Kurupt saying "Life is precious, my nigga. So if y'all ain't gonna fight, stop it...".{{Cite web |last=Castro |first=Danilo |date=May 7, 2024 |title=Kurupt Warns Drake and Kendrick Lamar About Ongoing Rap Beef: "Stop It" |url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/798772-kurupt-warns-drake-kendrick-lamar-about-ongoing-beef-stop-it-hip-hop-news |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240508141007/https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/798772-kurupt-warns-drake-kendrick-lamar-about-ongoing-beef-stop-it-hip-hop-news |archive-date=May 8, 2024 |access-date=May 8, 2024 |website=HotNewHipHop |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Elibert |first=Mark |date=May 8, 2024 |title=Ice Cube on Drake and Kendrick Lamar Battle: 'I Don't Really Like Seeing Rappers Beef' |url=https://www.complex.com/music/a/markelibert/ice-cube-drake-kendrick-lamar-battle-beef |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240509061456/https://www.complex.com/music/a/markelibert/ice-cube-drake-kendrick-lamar-battle-beef |archive-date=May 9, 2024 |access-date=May 8, 2024 |website=Complex |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Elibert |first=Mark |date=May 9, 2024 |title=Questlove Criticizes Drake and Kendrick Lamar Battle: 'Hip-Hop Is Truly Dead' |url=https://www.complex.com/music/a/markelibert/questlove-criticizes-drake-and-kendrick-lamar-battle |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240509061230/https://www.complex.com/music/a/markelibert/questlove-criticizes-drake-and-kendrick-lamar-battle |archive-date=May 9, 2024 |access-date=May 9, 2024 |website=Complex |language=en-us}} The feud was also criticized by Stevie Wonder and Macklemore for overshadowing ongoing international conflicts, with the latter releasing the pro-Palestinian song "Hind's Hall", containing the line "I want a ceasefire, fuck a response from Drake".{{Cite web |last=Turner-Williams |first=Jaelani |title=Stevie Wonder Calls Drake vs. Kendrick Lamar Beef a 'Distraction': 'The World Needs to Focus on What's Going On' |url=https://www.complex.com/music/a/jaelaniturnerwilliams/stevie-wonder-on-drake-kendrick-lamar-beef |date=May 11, 2024 |access-date=May 20, 2024 |website=Complex |language=en-us |archive-date=May 20, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240520215431/https://www.complex.com/music/a/jaelaniturnerwilliams/stevie-wonder-on-drake-kendrick-lamar-beef |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |last=O'Connor |first=Roisin |date=May 7, 2024 |title=Macklemore releases pro-Palestine track Hind's Hall as he hits out at Drake vs Kendrick Lamar beef |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/macklemore-hinds-hall-lyrics-palestine-drake-b2540756.html |access-date=May 20, 2024 |work=The Independent |language=en |archive-date=May 7, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240507103128/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/macklemore-hinds-hall-lyrics-palestine-drake-b2540756.html |url-status=live }}

Outside of the music community, the feud attracted numerous reactions from various celebrities. Actress Uma Thurman jokingly offered her Kill Bill costume to Drake for his feud with Lamar and other rappers.{{Cite magazine |last=Blatcher |first=Brenton |date=May 8, 2024 |title=Uma Thurman Offers Drake Her Kill Bill Costume amid Rick Ross Feud: 'Need This?' |url=https://people.com/uma-thurman-offers-drake-her-kill-bill-costume-amid-rick-ross-beef-8633509 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240503094803/https://people.com/uma-thurman-offers-drake-her-kill-bill-costume-amid-rick-ross-beef-8633509 |archive-date=May 3, 2024 |access-date=May 8, 2024 |magazine=People}} Former wrestler and current WWE producer Shawn Michaels, whose Sweet Chin Music finishing move was mentioned in "Not Like Us", invited the pair to settle their feud on NXT.{{Cite magazine |last=Diaz |first=Angel |date=May 6, 2024 |title=Shawn Michaels Invites Kendrick Lamar & Drake on WWE NXT to 'Settle This Thing' |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/kendrick-lamar-drake-wwe-invite-shawn-michaels-1235675196/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240507041827/https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/kendrick-lamar-drake-wwe-invite-shawn-michaels-1235675196/ |archive-date=May 7, 2024 |access-date=May 7, 2024 |magazine=Billboard}} Tennis star Naomi Osaka claimed that in her opinion, Lamar is winning the feud, and that she used "Not Like Us" in coming out to the court before beating Clara Burel at the Italian Open.{{Cite web |last=Kane |first=David |date=May 8, 2024 |title=Naomi Osaka is Team Kendrick amid Drake feud, hopes for more tracks in Rome |url=https://www.tennis.com/baseline/articles/naomi-osaka-is-team-kendrick-amid-drake-feud-hopes-for-more-tracks-in-rome |website=Tennis.com |access-date=May 9, 2024 |archive-date=May 9, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240509133618/https://www.tennis.com/baseline/articles/naomi-osaka-is-team-kendrick-amid-drake-feud-hopes-for-more-tracks-in-rome |url-status=live }} Singer Sheryl Crow criticized Drake's use of AI in "Taylor Made Freestyle," saying: "It's hateful. It is antithetical to the life force that exists in all of us." After defeating Canada in the 2024 Copa América semifinals, the Argentine national football team posted images with "Not Like Us" emblazoned above a photo of the team, a jab at Drake for betting $300,000 on the Canadian team.{{Cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/article/2024/jul/10/argentina-lionel-messi-drake-bet-canada-copa-america-not-like-us |title='Not like us': Argentina take shot at Drake after rapper loses $300,000 bet against them |last=Lutz |first=Tom |website=The Guardian |date=July 10, 2024 |access-date=August 9, 2024}} The feud was referenced on Saturday Night Live{{'}}s Weekend Update segment.{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/snl-dua-lipa-deep-dive-kendrick-lamar-vs-drake-feud-8643672|title=SNL squashes 'silly' Kendrick Lamar vs Drake rap beef with Dua Lipa and a little help from 'AI'|first=Shania|last=Russell|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|date=May 5, 2024|access-date=May 9, 2024|archive-date=May 9, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240509193113/https://ew.com/snl-dua-lipa-deep-dive-kendrick-lamar-vs-drake-feud-8643672|url-status=live}} Professional basketball players Stephen Curry and LeBron James, who were both mentioned in "Meet The Grahams", discussed the frequent usage of "Not Like Us" after a Team USA basketball match. Curry said "it's not the only song in America" while James said he loves the song, while agreeing that "we gotta get something else."{{Cite web |title=Steph Curry, LeBron James React to Kendrick Lamar Song |url=https://www.complex.com/sports/a/tracewilliamcowen/steph-curry-lebron-james-kendrick-lamar-not-like-us |access-date=October 17, 2024 |website=www.complex.com |language=en}} Curry later said in an interview with GQ that he's still a 'big Drake guy'.{{cite web |last=Bien-Kahn |first=Joseph |title=He's Already the Greatest Shooter in NBA History. Can Stephen Curry Become a TV Star, Too? |url=https://www.gq.com/story/stephen-curry-mr-throwback-set-visit |website=GQ |access-date=August 8, 2024 |language=en |date=August 5, 2024 |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |archive-date=August 8, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240808044624/https://www.gq.com/story/stephen-curry-mr-throwback-set-visit }}{{cite magazine |last=Aniftos |first=Rania |title=Steph Curry Says He's Still a 'Big Drake Guy' Despite Kendrick Lamar Rap Beef |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/steph-curry-drake-kendrick-lamar-rap-beef-comment-1235748152/ |magazine=Billboard |access-date=August 8, 2024|language=en |date=August 7, 2024 |archive-date=August 8, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240808053345/https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/steph-curry-drake-kendrick-lamar-rap-beef-comment-1235748152/ |url-status=live}}

{{Main|BBL Drizzy}}

On May 5, 2024, Metro Boomin started a contest where he would give a free beat and $10,000 to whoever recorded the best diss against Drake over a semi-instrumental track called "BBL Drizzy", whose chorus is based on the rumor that Drake has had a Brazilian butt lift. The song samples an AI generated R&B parody song evocative of 1970s music created by comedic performer King Willonius.{{cite web |last1=Curto |first1=Justin |title=Metro Boomin Couldn't Have Made 'BBL Drizzy' Without This Comedian |url=https://www.vulture.com/article/bbl-drizzy-metro-boomin-sample-comedian.html |website=Vulture |access-date=May 13, 2024 |language=en |date=May 9, 2024 |archive-date=May 13, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240513130725/https://www.vulture.com/article/bbl-drizzy-metro-boomin-sample-comedian.html |url-status=live }} The instrumental received more than 3.3 million streams on SoundCloud within a week and managed to maintain the number one spot on the platform's "New and Hot" chart.{{Cite web|first=Maxwell|last=Zeff|url=https://gizmodo.com/saga-bbl-drizzy-drake-kendrick-lamar-metro-boomin-1851470820|title=The Saga of 'BBL Drizzy'|date=May 11, 2024|website=Gizmodo|access-date=May 13, 2024|archive-date=May 13, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240513091354/https://gizmodo.com/saga-bbl-drizzy-drake-kendrick-lamar-metro-boomin-1851470820|url-status=live}} The track also drew responses on social media, with celebrities and internet personalities including Elon Musk, Dr. Miami, and more reacting.{{Cite web|url=https://www.complex.com/music/a/tracewilliamcowen/dr-miami-metro-boomin-bbl-drizzy|title=Dr. Miami Is Looping Metro Boomin's Drake-Mocking "BBL Drizzy" Beat at His Office: 'New Favorite Song'|first=Trace William|last=Cowen|website=Complex|date=May 8, 2024|access-date=May 13, 2024|archive-date=May 10, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240510001045/https://www.complex.com/music/a/tracewilliamcowen/dr-miami-metro-boomin-bbl-drizzy|url-status=live}} In addition to freestyle raps, users also recreated the song beyond hip hop to house, merengue and Bollywood styles.{{Cite web|first=Rashad|last=Grove|url=https://www.bet.com/article/kc38uz/metro-boomins-diss-track-bbl-drizzy-is-getting-the-remix-treatment|title=Metro Boomin's Diss Track 'BBL Drizzy" Is Getting the Remix Treatment|website=BET|date=May 13, 2024|access-date=May 13, 2024|archive-date=May 15, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240515122300/https://www.bet.com/article/kc38uz/metro-boomins-diss-track-bbl-drizzy-is-getting-the-remix-treatment|url-status=live}}{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/metro-boomin-drake-diss-bbl-drizzy-remixes-fans-viral-1235680164/|title=Fan Remixes of Metro Boomin's Drake Diss 'BBL Drizzy' Are Starting to Going Viral: Listen|first=Michael|last=Saponara|magazine=Billboard |date=May 10, 2024|access-date=May 13, 2024|archive-date=May 13, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240513090200/https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/metro-boomin-drake-diss-bbl-drizzy-remixes-fans-viral-1235680164/|url-status=live}} Some also created covers of the song on a variety of musical instruments, including saxophone, guitar and harp.

According to The Ringer, the feud has been considered the "last great rap beef", with Holmes asserting that "[I]n terms of size, scale, and capital, we're witnessing the last rap beef of this magnitude." Multiple commentators, including Todd Boyd, compared the feud to the East Coast–West Coast hip hop rivalry from the 1990s,{{cite news |last1=McCausland |first1=Phil |title=How Kendrick Lamar and Drake changed rap beefs forever |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-68993672 |access-date=May 11, 2024 |work=BBC |date=May 11, 2024 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240511224513/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-68993672 |archive-date=May 11, 2024}}{{cite news |last1=Fekadu |first1=Mesfin |title=When the Drake vs. Kendrick Lamar Rap Beef Burns Out "This Can't End Well" |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/music-news/drake-kendrick-lamar-rap-beef-burning-out-1235894792/ |access-date=May 11, 2024 |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=May 11, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240511003957/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/music-news/drake-kendrick-lamar-rap-beef-burning-out-1235894792/ |archive-date=May 11, 2024}} which culminated with the drive-by shooting deaths of both Tupac Shakur and The Notorious B.I.G. in 1996 and 1997, respectively.{{cite news |last1=Landrum Jr. |first1=Jonathan |title=Inside the East vs. West rap rivalry that led to the murders of Tupac and Notorious B.I.G. in 1990s |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/ap/ap-entertainment/ap-inside-the-east-vs-west-rap-rivalry-that-led-to-the-murders-of-tupac-and-notorious-b-i-g-in-1990s/ |access-date=May 11, 2024 |work=The Hill |agency=Associated Press |date=October 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240511225425/https://thehill.com/homenews/ap/ap-entertainment/ap-inside-the-east-vs-west-rap-rivalry-that-led-to-the-murders-of-tupac-and-notorious-b-i-g-in-1990s/ |archive-date=May 11, 2024}} The feud was also considered a debate about the future of the genre and its culture, specifically in regards towards its commercial appeal and authenticity; an MSNBC article drew parallels to the feud between Jay-Z and Nas.{{Cite web |last=Coleman, Jr. |first=Charles F. |date=May 6, 2024 |title=Drake and Kendrick Lamar battle for the soul of hip-hop |url=https://www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnbc-opinion/drake-kendrick-lamar-rap-battle-rcna149472 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240507200025/https://www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnbc-opinion/drake-kendrick-lamar-rap-battle-rcna149472 |archive-date=May 7, 2024 |access-date=May 7, 2024 |website=MSNBC |language=en}} Likening the feud to literary debates, The Independent's Ryan Coogan opined that the two rappers' poetic talents had elevated their conflict from celebrity gossip to art. He further claimed that the feud "has caused both men to dig deep and produce some of their best work in years".{{Cite web |last=Coogan |first=Ryan |date=May 6, 2024 |title=Drake and Kendrick Lamar are right to settle things through poetry |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/kendrick-lamar-diss-drake-beef-not-like-us-b2540133.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240507200025/https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/kendrick-lamar-diss-drake-beef-not-like-us-b2540133.html |archive-date=May 7, 2024 |access-date=May 7, 2024 |website=The Independent |language=en-UK}} Alphonse Pierre of Pitchfork labeled the feud "the most miserable spectacle in rap history", calling it a "disinformation campaign that has turned rap's all-time biggest beef into a messy, confusing conflict that, at its core, is nothing but ugly" and stated it "doesn't even sound like rap beef anymore, but the death knell of an entire era", specifically noting both the severity of the accusations leveled against the parties involved and how the feud had been received on social media in light of those accusations.{{Cite web |last=Pierre |first=Alphonse |date=May 6, 2024 |title=Drake and Kendrick's Beef Is the Most Miserable Spectacle in Rap History |url=https://pitchfork.com/thepitch/drake-and-kendricks-beef-is-the-most-miserable-spectacle-in-rap-history/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240506174958/https://pitchfork.com/thepitch/drake-and-kendricks-beef-is-the-most-miserable-spectacle-in-rap-history/ |archive-date=May 6, 2024 |access-date=May 6, 2024 |website=Pitchfork}}

Among other beefs in 2024, the feud has also been regarded as an example of social media's influence in shifting the nature of rap beefs. In an NBC News article, Howard University professor Tia Tyree compared the past release of diss tracks on radio and CD to the instantaneous nature of social media releases. The prevalence of Stan culture was also noted as a factor in the feud.{{Cite web |last=Tolentino |first=Daysia |date=May 4, 2024 |title=2024 has been the year of the diss track |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/pop-culture-news/hip-hop-diss-track-saga-kendrick-lamar-drake-battle-rcna149995 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240506001813/https://www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/pop-culture-news/hip-hop-diss-track-saga-kendrick-lamar-drake-battle-rcna149995 |archive-date=May 6, 2024 |access-date=May 6, 2024 |website=NBC News}} Holmes noted that unlike Drake's leverage of meme culture in his feud against Meek Mill, he was at a disadvantage compared to Lamar's less accessible nature on the internet.

Both artists received criticism for their use of women and family members as "punchlines" in their respective diss tracks. The Ringer argued hypocrisy in both parties' messaging, stating that Drake, who went after Lamar for allegedly abusing women, had shouted out Chris Brown on "Family Matters" and posted his support on social media of Tory Lanez, both of whom had been arrested for domestic violence.{{Cite web |last1=Lozano |first1=Alicia Victoria |last2=Burke |first2=Minyvonne |last3=Lenthang |first3=Marlene |date=August 9, 2023 |title=Tory Lanez sentenced to 10 years for shooting Megan Thee Stallion in the foot |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/pop-culture-news/tory-lanez-sentenced-10-years-shooting-megan-thee-stallion-foot-rcna98737 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230808235918/https://www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/pop-culture-news/tory-lanez-sentenced-10-years-shooting-megan-thee-stallion-foot-rcna98737 |archive-date=August 8, 2023 |access-date=May 6, 2024 |website=NBC News |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Errico|first=Marcus |date=February 9, 2009 |title=Chris Brown Arrested After Alleged Rihanna Assault |url=https://www.eonline.com/news/99069/chris-brown-arrested-after-alleged-rihanna-assault |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240316230300/https://www.eonline.com/news/99069/chris-brown-arrested-after-alleged-rihanna-assault |archive-date=March 16, 2024 |access-date=May 6, 2024 |website=E! Online}} Similarly, Lamar was accused of hypocrisy for attacking Drake for allegedly being a sexual predator, despite featuring Kodak Black on his last studio album Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers after Kodak had previously taken a plea deal in a first-degree criminal sexual assault case. In addition, criticism resurfaced of Lamar's label head, Anthony "Top Dawg" Tiffith, threatening to remove Lamar's catalogue from Spotify in 2018, in opposition to Spotify announcing they would remove XXXTentacion's and R. Kelly's songs from official playlists after the two artists were accused of various forms of domestic and sexual abuse.{{Cite web |last=Strauss|first=Matthew|date=June 1, 2018 |title=Kendrick Label Head Confirms He Threatened to Pull Music From Spotify |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/kendrick-label-head-confirms-he-threatened-to-pull-music-from-spotify/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250211013307/https://pitchfork.com/news/kendrick-label-head-confirms-he-threatened-to-pull-music-from-spotify/ |archive-date=February 11, 2025 |access-date=February 13, 2025 |website=Pitchfork |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |last=Puckett |first=Lily |title=After Kendrick Lamar reportedly threatened to pull his music, Spotify is putting XXXTentacion back on playlists |url=https://www.thefader.com/2018/05/25/spotify-xxxtentacion-kendrick-lamar-hateful-playlists |date=May 25, 2018 |access-date=May 11, 2024 |website=The Fader |language=en |archive-date=May 11, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240511142850/https://www.thefader.com/2018/05/25/spotify-xxxtentacion-kendrick-lamar-hateful-playlists |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Mahadevan |first=Tara |date=May 6, 2024 |title=Fans Highlight Hypocrisy of Kendrick and Drake Using Women's Pain as Disses When They've Both Worked with Abusers |url=https://www.complex.com/music/a/cmplxtara-mahadevan/kendrick-lamar-drake-beef-hypocrisy-women-abuse |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240507111059/https://www.complex.com/music/a/cmplxtara-mahadevan/kendrick-lamar-drake-beef-hypocrisy-women-abuse |archive-date=May 7, 2024 |access-date=May 7, 2024 |website=Complex |language=en-us}}

UMG, the label of both Lamar and Drake, denied rumors that they had been mediating an end to the feud.{{Cite web |last=Michelle |first=Jahaura |date=May 10, 2024 |title=Fact Check: Is Universal Music Group Involved in Drake and Kendrick Lamar's Beef? |url=https://blavity.com/universal-music-group-kendrick-drake |access-date=May 14, 2024 |website=Blavity |language=en-US}}

By early May 2024, various music outlets such as Pitchfork, The Ringer, and Rolling Stone{{Cite magazine |last=Gee |first=Andre |date=May 6, 2024 |title=The Results Are In: Kendrick Lamar Won the Great Rap War |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/kendrick-lamar-drake-beef-who-won-1235014499/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240506170243/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/kendrick-lamar-drake-beef-who-won-1235014499/ |archive-date=May 6, 2024 |access-date=May 6, 2024 |magazine=Rolling Stone |language=en-US}} cited Lamar as winning in the feud. An Insider article claimed that both music critics and social media users conceded Lamar as the victor. However, Alphonse Pierre of Pitchfork avowed that Lamar's victory was "pyrrhic", while Charles Holmes for The Ringer similarly claimed Lamar was in the lead despite the victory feeling hollow. The Roots drummer Questlove condemned both for engaging in "wrestling match level mudslinging", opining that neither can reasonably be considered to have emerged victorious, concluding, "Hip Hop truly is dead."{{Cite web |last=Perkins |first=Njera |date=May 8, 2024 |title=Questlove Blasts Drake and Kendrick Lamar for 'Mudslinging' in Vicious Rap Beef: 'Hip-Hop Truly Is Dead' |url=https://people.com/questlove-comments-on-drake-and-kendrick-lamar-rap-beef-8645645 |url-status=live |access-date=May 9, 2024 |website=People |archive-date=May 9, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240509100828/https://people.com/questlove-comments-on-drake-and-kendrick-lamar-rap-beef-8645645 }} Other writers took a contrary view, arguing that the feud was a net positive for hip-hop. Yemi Abiade of BBC News said the feud "entertained the entire world, enhancing the legacies of two generational rap artists" and claimed that "rap music wins, yet again".{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-68993564/ |title=Who won the Kendrick Lamar v Drake beef? |last=Abiade |first=Yemi |publisher=BBC |date=May 14, 2024 |access-date=May 20, 2024 |archive-date=May 19, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240519174632/https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-68993564 |url-status=live }}

With the release of Lamar's "Not Like Us" music video, numerous critics and publications recognized Lamar as the victor of the feud.{{efn|name=f5|group=note|According to Pitchfork, Variety, Vulture, GQ, People, Vibe, The Hollywood Reporter, and New Yorker.{{Cite magazine |last=Cunningham |first=Vinson |url=https://www.newyorker.com/culture/on-television/kendrick-lamars-freedom-summer |title=Kendrick Lamar's Freedom Summer |magazine=The New Yorker |date=July 11, 2024 |access-date=July 18, 2024 |archive-date=July 17, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240717021022/https://www.newyorker.com/culture/on-television/kendrick-lamars-freedom-summer |url-status=live }} }} In September 2024, a New Yorker article about the feud opened with the line "Has there ever been as clear a loser as Drake?"{{Cite magazine |last=Brickner-Wood |first=Brady |date=September 5, 2024 |title=How Drake Lost the Plot |url=https://www.newyorker.com/culture/the-lede/how-drake-lost-the-plot |access-date=November 27, 2024 |magazine=The New Yorker |language=en-US |issn=0028-792X}} After the Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show, NPR headlined an article with "Almost a year after the battle, Kendrick Lamar has won the war."{{Cite news |last=Madden |first=Sidney |date=February 12, 2025 |title=Almost a year after the battle, Kendrick Lamar has won the war |url=https://www.npr.org/2025/02/12/g-s1-48276/kendrick-lamar-super-bowl-game-winner |access-date=February 16, 2025 |work=NPR |language=en}}

== Full song chronology ==

• 2024 in hip hop music
• East Coast–West Coast hip hop rivalry
• List of diss tracks

{{reflist|group=note}}

{{reflist}}

• [https://www.pbs.org/newshour/arts/what-to-know-about-the-feud-between-drake-and-kendrick-lamar What to know about the feud between Drake and Kendrick Lamar] by the Associated Press, from PBS NewsHour
• [https://www.npr.org/sections/money/2024/05/14/1250578295/it-was-a-classic-rap-beef-then-drake-revived-tupac-with-ai-and-congress-got-invo It was a classic rap beef. Then Drake revived Tupac with AI and Congress got involved] by Planet Money at NPR
• [https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/a-look-at-the-kendrick-lamar-drake-feud-and-its-implications A look at the Kendrick Lamar-Drake feud and its implications] by Amna Nawaz, from PBS NewsHour
• [https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-68993564 Who won the Kendrick Lamar v Drake beef?] by Yemi Abiade at BBC
• [https://www.nytimes.com/2024/05/11/opinion/kendrick-lamar-drake-battle-winner.html And the Winner Is: Kendrick Lamar. And Old-School Hip-Hop.], opinion piece by Laurence Ralph in The New York Times

{{Drake (musician)}}

{{Kendrick Lamar}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Drake-Kendrick Lamar feud}}

Category:2024 in American music

Category:Hip-hop feuds

Lamar, Kendrick

Category:Kendrick Lamar

Category:2024 in Internet culture

Category:2024 controversies in the United States

Category:African-American-related controversies

Category:Internet memes introduced in 2024