Kendrick Lamar’s recent accomplishments, from receiving multiple Grammy nominations to headlining the Super Bowl halftime show, have left little doubt about his continued dominance in the music industry.
With this surge in recognition, many are starting to question how his ongoing rivalry with Drake has shaped their careers, particularly in light of the 2024 beef that reignited their infamous feud.
The diss track that shifted the balance
The tensions between Kendrick Lamar and Drake, which began in the 2010s, were reignited last year, giving fans yet another round of heated exchanges between the two rappers.
The rivalry reached a boiling point with Kendrick’s bold diss track, Not Like Us, which made waves by accusing Drake of being a “pedophile.” The track quickly became a cultural moment, with fans rallying behind Kendrick and giving the track an immense boost. Not Like Us has since earned five Grammy nominations, further propelling Lamar’s standing in the rap game.
Drake, however, seemed to take a hit following the release of the track. The Canadian rapper faced widespread online mocking and even filed a lawsuit against Universal Music Group, accusing the label of using bots to artificially boost the track’s success. This only intensified the perception that Drake’s career had taken a backseat to Kendrick’s in their ongoing rivalry.
With Kendrick Lamar’s growing success, the possibility of him winning Song of the Year at the 2025 Grammys for Not Like Us has fans wondering how Drake might react. This would mark another potential blow to Drake’s ego, especially after he lost the same category in 2019 for his track God’s Plan. How would the superstar handle losing to Kendrick in such a significant category?
Jason Rawls, Assistant Professor of Hip-Hop at Ohio State University, suggests that Drake might not have much to worry about.
“Drake has received plenty of accolades,” Rawls pointed out.
“He has nothing to be upset about. Drake has proven himself, and even though people may say Kendrick got him, they still like Drake.”
While it may appear that Drake’s career has slowed in the wake of his beef with Kendrick, Rawls argues that it’s all about perception.
“Right now, the perception is what people think it is,” he said.
“But if Drake keeps releasing good music, he’ll be fine.”
Both Kendrick Lamar and Drake have solidified their places as titans of the rap game. Kendrick may be on top right now, but Drake’s legacy is still intact. The competition between the two artists remains fierce, and it will be interesting to see how their careers evolve in the coming years.