Movies

Kendrick vs Drake: The Shocking Truth Behind Their Decade-Long Feud and Scandalous Allegations

BBG News

The longstanding dispute between Drake and Kendrick Lamar was put back in the spotlight for many on Sunday evening as Drake took the stage during the Super Bowl half-time performance to perform his diss song.

During that infamous performance they called “the worst halftime show ever,” I couldn’t help but anticipate the stirring of his contentious song all through it. In the end, what was presented was an edited rendition.

In a surprising turn of events, a video titled “Not Like Us” was uploaded on YouTube, featuring an image that seemed to depict Drake’s mansion, but with symbols associated with sex offenders. This came after Drake was accused of being a pedophile due to his alleged interactions with younger women. In response to these accusations, Drake has chosen to take legal action.

Apart from singing a song that has led to a lawsuit due to its accusatory lyrics against Drake, aged 38, being called a ‘confirmed pedophile’, Kendrick Lamar introduced tennis star Serena Williams onto the stage, who is also embroiled in a dispute with the Canadian rapper.

As a lifestyle expert, I chose to avoid using a term that might spark another legal battle, and instead shared with the audience, “I wish to perform their beloved song, yet you’re well aware they enjoy filing lawsuits.

Nevertheless, he continued by presenting two more contentious statements: “Say Drake, I fancy them young,” and “attempting to hit the right note, but it’s likely a minor,” with the audience echoing his words.

In a statement released through his lawyers before the song was played during this year’s Super Bowl half-time show, Drake expressed that Universal Music Group (UMG) is falsely presenting itself as an advocate for artistic freedom by labeling its actions as mere ‘entertainment.’ However, he emphasized, there is nothing amusing or enjoyable about pedophilia or child abuse in the real world.

We have strong faith that the data we’ll eventually show in court – comprising facts we’ve gathered before and those we’ve been acquiring since filing the lawsuit – will clearly demonstrate UMG’s excessive focus on corporate gains and executive compensation, to the detriment of the health and truth of their exclusively signed artists.

As Kendrick escalates their dispute to an international level and their verbal battle lands in the courtroom, TopMob reflects on the history of their prolonged feud…

WHERE IT BEGAN 

Initially, there was a friendly rapport between the two, as they worked together on Drake’s 2011 album Take Care, Kendrick Lamar’s 2012 song Poetic Justice, and ASAP Rocky’s 2013 song F***in’ Problems. However, it’s evident that their relationship has soured since then.

They even happily toured together in 2012 during Drake’s $42.6 million, 65-date Club Paradise Tour.

Changes started occurring in the year 2013, marked significantly by the debut of Big Sean’s song “Control.” This track stood out as Kendrick Lamar delivered a verse suggesting he considered himself superior to many of his fellow artists in the same generation.

I’m often friends with those I collaborate with in rap music, but this is hip-hop, and they should understand the rules. This applies to J. Cole, Big K.R.I.T., Wale, Pusha T, Meek Mill, A$AP Rocky, Drake, and even myself, Kendrick, as we stand atop the hierarchy of hip-hop.

‘Big Sean, Jay Electronica, Tyler, and Mac Miller – I have respect for all of you, but I’m striving to outshine you. I want to ensure that your die-hard fans haven’t heard anything new from any of you. They don’t wish to hear another word or sound from any of you.’

On several instances, Drake responded to the lyrics in question, expressing doubts about the sustainability of Kendrick’s career and the influence of his music, specifically in reaction to the song “Control.

He mentioned to Pitchfork that Kendrick Lamar is providing meaningful experiences. However, the question remains whether you’re taking in these experiences right now, during this specific moment in time?

Sure thing… For about two weeks it was quite fascinating, but if I were to ask you, for instance, how does that particular verse begin?

As a die-hard fan, I’d rephrase that statement like this: When Kendrick name-checked me on “Control,” Drake shared with Billboard that it felt like a bold idea floating around in his mind.

He went on to say: ‘I am fully aware that Kendrick isn’t planning to kill me, in any way or form. Therefore, if such a day ever comes, I suppose we can discuss the matter again.’

DIFFERING ATTITUDES 

It seems that a significant factor contributing to their conflict was their contrasting views on wealth and celebrity status. Unlike Drake who openly flaunts his opulent lifestyle on social media, Kendrick Lamar tends to keep his personal life private and discreet.

In a conversation with Complex magazine, Kendrick Lamar discussed his connection with Drake following his recognition as GQ’s Rapper of the Year in 2013. He mentioned that their relationship was generally friendly, but he could handle it if they were no longer acquainted.

In a clear indication that their friendship may have taken an unexpected turn, Drake subsequently stated “You should be concerned about me” in his 2013 hit song ‘The Language’, which appeared on his third album ‘Nothing Was the Same’.

Additionally, he discounted the supposed views of Kendrick regarding wealth, rhyming: ‘People undervalue money, yet that’s what happens when your own funds are low.’

In the broadcast of What’s the Dirt on YouTube, host Matt pointed out that when Drake referred to himself as a “motormouth,” he was likely referring to Kendrick, who is renowned for his rapid, breathless speaking style.

As a die-hard fan, I can’t help but notice the moments when Kendrick seemed to take a jab at Drake, like those times he chuckled at Drake’s expense. It was also hinted that Kendrick might have said something about Drake in private, and somehow the word got around, which only seemed to fan the flames of their ongoing beef as Kendrick’s stardom grew brighter.

‘SENSITIVE RAPPER’

In 2013, Kendrick took a bold move by seemingly criticizing Drake during a freestyle performance at the BET Awards when he rapped: ‘Ever since they released ‘Control’, things haven’t been the same; I even had to put a sensitive rapper back in his pajamas.’

On Twitter, formerly known as X, the hashtag #KendricksVerse started gaining popularity as fans believed that the lyrics were directed towards Drake, since Kendrick had mentioned the title of Drake’s album, Nothing Was the Same.

Drake responded on Future’s song “S**t,” suggesting that during their 2012 tour together, Kendrick Lamar performed his largest shows in the Los Angeles area, while Drake was the one supporting him.

Brought people from the neighborhood out as if I’m a native / So you understand everything’s fine when I arrive in your town / You boast about your city as though you control it entirely / And I took my tour to your city; consider yourself part of my family, buddy.

2013 saw a shift in the relationship between me (and my two musical heroes), Drake and Kendrick Lamar. We hadn’t worked together since, with our final collaboration being on ASAP Rocky’s smash hit “F***kin’ Problems.” Those were some unforgettable problems indeed!

CHEAP SHOTS 

The next year, the Grammys faced controversy when rapper Macklemore was awarded Rap Album of the Year instead of Kendrick Lamar, whose album Good Kid, M.A.A.D City is now widely regarded as a hip-hop masterpiece.

Following the event, Macklemore (whose real name is Benjamin Hammond Haggerty) posted a snapshot of their text conversations on Instagram, acknowledging that he believed Kendrick Lamar had been unfairly denied the award.

Later on, Drake shared with Rolling Stone that Macklemore’s apology seemed insincere or not worth much.

He essentially told them, “You’ve won. I don’t understand why you’re sharing that text message. Just relax, accept your victory. If you think you didn’t earn it, work on improving – create better music.

I couldn’t help but feel let down, like it was all too shallow and inauthentic. I mean, why skimp out on the authenticity? Why should we feel guilty for expecting more when you’ve given us so much to admire? I can’t help but wonder if they’d show you the same respect if they were standing where you are now.

If Macklemore was going to be handing out apologies, Drake continued, ‘we all need text messages’. 

‘To name just Kendrick? That s*** made me feel funny.’ 

Following the Grammys, it seemed as though their dispute had subsided – that is, until the unveiling of Jay Rock’s 2014 song entitled “Pay for It,” which included a collaboration with Kendrick, reignited their conflict.

‘To name just Kendrick? That s*** made me feel funny.’ 

As a lifestyle expert, I’d rephrase it like this: In my latest tracks, Kendrick Lamar seems to establish himself as the undisputed ruler of hip-hop, declaring, “I make all others bow to King Kendrick.” He hints at avenging past slights, dissecting his opponents’ lyrics until he exposes their weaknesses. Despite Kendrick later denying any renewal of his feud with Drake during a radio interview, the rapper continues to deliver veiled criticisms of Drake and his music. To him, Drake’s music seems more like mainstream pop than the thoughtful, intellectual hip-hop that Kendrick represents.

GHOSTWRITING CLAIMS

During the summer of 2015, my music collaborator Meek Mill dramatically asserted that Drake employed a secret writer to pen the track “R.I.C.O.”, which featured on Meek’s album titled “Dreams Worth More Than Money”.

It appears that Kendrick Lamar strategically used the accusations of ghostwriting in the song “King Kunta,” which was on his Grammy-winning album “To Pimp a Butterfly,” as a means to address and possibly counteract them.

It was widely believed that the song lyrics ‘I can appreciate rap’ implied Drake, but if a rapper requires a ghostwriter, then something unexpected has occurred. Frankly, I had vowed not to disclose it, but the ongoing feud between Drake and Lamar gave no indication of cooling down.

In October 2023, the rivalry between Drake, J Cole, and Kendrick Lamar was rekindled when they referred to each other as the top three rappers, or “the big three,” in their song titled “First Person Shooter.

I particularly enjoy heated debates the most; is it Kendrick, Drake or myself? We’re the top three, setting the trend as if we’ve established our own league.

On March 26, 2024, Kendrick made a response in an unattributed verse on the track “Like That” by Metro Boomin’ and Future. In this verse, he asserted: ‘I disregard the top three, man, it’s just me at the top.’

Next month, Drake unveiled another diss track directed at Kendrick Lamar titled “Push Ups.” In the promotional materials for the track, he targeted Kendrick’s small foot size by showcasing just a label indicating a size 7 shoe.

The lyrics of the song go like this: ‘Tell him to fall, he should fall and deliver fifty / Little one, keep quiet / He isn’t part of the elite trio, SZA has him beat / Travis Scott has him beaten, Megan Thee Stallion has him beaten.’

Additionally, he employed ‘Taylor Made Freestyle,’ utilizing artificial voices mimicking Tupac and Snoop Dogg, two of his role models, in a critical manner towards him. Consequently, this led to a legal notice from Tupac’s estate.

Criticizes Kendrick Lamar, J Cole, and The Weeknd, who had earlier criticized Drake in guest verses on the album “We Don’t Trust You” by Future and Metro Boomin.

Afterward, Kendrick Lamar dropped Euphoria (apparently a nod to Drake’s production role in the popular HBO series), and the six-minute track criticizes his rap competitor’s racial identity, ghostwriting allegations, and bond with his son Adonis.

This version maintains the original meaning but uses simpler language and more conversational phrasing, making it easier for a wider audience to understand.

In response to accusations about his role as a father, Drake rapped: “That’s ridiculous. I have a child to take care of, but it seems you’re not aware of that situation.”

Drake defended himself against claims he was an uninvolved dad by rapping: “What you’re saying is nonsense. I am responsible for raising a child, yet it appears you lack understanding about this aspect of my life.

As a die-hard fan, I can’t help but see the echoes of the explosive saga between Pusha T and Drake in these lyrics. You know, the one that unfolded through Pusha T’s track “The Story of Adidon,” which brought to light Drake’s private life, revealing he had a son with French adult star Sophie Brussaux. It’s like those words are resonating with the echoes of that infamous diss track!

Drake confirmed he had a son named Adonis with the release of his fifth album Scorpion. 

Before he could even react to his elation, Kendrick reinforced his statement with “6:16” in LA – a move that appears to mimic the Canadian artist’s well-known timestamp songs like “4 PM in Calabasas” (2013) and “8 AM in Charlotte” (2023).

In the lyrics, Kendrick disses Drake by going after his OVO crew and his music.

He rhymes: “Ever consider if OVO operates on my behalf? / Phony aggressor, I detest bullies, you surely are loathsome / It seems everyone on your squad secretly agrees you’ve earned this.

He also performs a popular dance hit by Drake, the Toosie Slide from 2020, rapping: “I can’t avoid the Toosie Slide in this one / It will only pop up again.

PARENTING DISS 

After that, Drake released a new diss song called “Family Matters,” further escalating their feud, which extended into May of 2024.

In reaction to Kendrick bringing up the topic of Drake’s fatherhood, he rhymes: ‘You brought up my offspring, address his father/I need to act tough, I need to act tough.’

On Instagram, Drake shared the news about his new song titled “Family Matters,” which is now available on YouTube. Instead of speculating about my thoughts, why not focus on mending your own fractured household?

On the track, Drake repeatedly claims Kendrick had been violent towards a woman.

‘They brought in a crisis team to handle the fact that you hit your woman.’

Apart from his songs, Kendrick Lamar has never faced charges related to domestic violence, contrary to allegations made in 2014 about an incident at the Hard Rock Casino.

Drake’s lyrics suggest a potential unfaithfulness in his relationship, as the song mentions: ‘You are the Black messiah marrying a mixed woman/ And you seek vanilla comfort to boost your self-confidence/ In some Bobby Brown fashion, I wonder what Whitney requires from you.’

Additionally, he employs the song to stir speculation that Kendrick’s partner, Whitney Alford, had a child who was not born within their relationship.

Drake claims that his relationship is struggling and suggests that Dave Free, a long-standing business associate of Lamar, could be the biological father of one of his kids.

Every time I see your baby mama’s posts, it feels like she’s pleading for help! It seems you’ve wronged her throughout your life, yet now you’re trying to mend things. Rumor has it that one of those kids could be Dave Free. I hope it doesn’t lead to a freeze in your relationship, especially since there are whispers that your GM might secretly be your BM’s BD.

Immediately following Drake’s song release, Kendrick responded within just a few minutes by dropping “Meet the Grahams” – marking his third response within a span of seven days.

On his quick-witted rebuttal, Kendrick suggests Drake has a secret daughter.

The lyrics go: ‘It appears you falsely claimed about your son, your daughter, even those other children you mentioned, in the hope I might come to you.’

Elsewhere on Kendrick’s recording, he pointed to Drake’s alleged battle with gambling and alcohol.

Kendrick raps: ‘You got gamblin’ problems, drinkin’ problems, pill-poppin’ and spendin’ problems.’ 

Responding to this, Drake posted a selfie on his Instagram Story and captioned it, “Hold up! Can anyone locate my secret child for me and bring her to me? These guys are in disarray,” followed by a laughing-crying emoji.

PAEDOPHILIA SWIPE 

Following its release on May 4, Kendrick Lamar’s award-winning song “Not Like Us” managed to draw me, a dedicated fan of Drake, towards his side, compelling even the most ardent supporters like myself.

The song was uploaded onto YouTube, featuring an image that seemed to depict Drake’s residence adorned with symbols associated with sex offenders. This came after accusations were made against Drake for being a suspected pedophile, due to his rumored relationships with underage girls.

He additionally calls Drake a “colonizer,” stating: “No, you are not a collaborator, you are a destructive colonizer. // The issue at hand and the genuine facts // It was divine intervention to reveal your deceit.”

This version maintains the original message while using more polite language and clearer sentence structure.

In another part of the song, he raps, “I think Drake prefers them young,” implying that others should keep their younger sisters away from him. (age 36)

He mentions that only Chubbs (Drake’s security), it seems, receives your secondhand items.

‘And Party at the party playin’ wit’ his nose now,’ targeting Canadian artist PartyNextDoor.

In reference to their persistent conflict, he goes on to say, “Why are you picking fights like a stubborn person, haven’t you had enough? You seem to be trying to make a point, and it appears that key might be A minor.

In my perspective as a lifestyle advisor, Drake clarified an accusation made in his track “The Heart Part 6.” He rapped about a situation he has never found himself in – being involved with anyone underage. However, he went on to explain why people might choose to focus on this particular angle:

‘I’ve never been with someone underage, but now I see the reasoning behind why this is the angle that you persistently bring up.’

For the sake of understanding, let me clarify my feelings – I am utterly repulsed. My standing is far too esteemed for any suggestion as vile as what you’ve proposed. If I were engaged in such heinous acts as molesting young girls, I would certainly have faced the consequences and been incarcerated long ago.

‘Drake is not a name that you gon’ see on no sex offender list,’ he continued. 

The Epstein angle wasn’t what I had anticipated at all. / The TikTok clips you analyzed meticulously. / Rather than getting involved in petty disputes, / You preferred to take out your pen and redirect the conversation.

However, compared to the thunderous roar of Kendrick’s performance in “Not Like Us,” The Heart Part 6 seemed more like a quiet murmur in the fight for rap acclaim.

The song has racked up a staggering 194 million views since Kendrick dropped it eight months ago. 

In just a few days after its debut, it skyrocketed to number one on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart, making it Kendrick Lamar’s first solo hit since his song “Humble” was released back in 2017.

At the Pop Out concert held at the Kia Forum in Inglewood, California, videos emerged online of Kendrick Lamar premiering his Drake diss tracks multiple times, specifically performing “Not Like Us” on five separate occasions during the Los Angeles show. These videos quickly became popular on social media.

Following the release of “Not Like Us,” Kendrick Lamar was announced as the 2025 Super Bowl Halftime performer, although not everyone was pleased with the choice because Lil Wayne was widely expected to be the headliner for the event taking place in New Orleans this year.

13 years on, the long-standing musical disagreement between Drake and Kendrick Lamar continues, with the “One Dance” singer recently filing a federal defamation lawsuit in response to their collaborative track “Not Like Us.

LEGAL ACTION

According to TMZ, Drake has filed a lawsuit against Universal Music Group, alleging they have been promoting harmful and untrue rumors that he is a child molester.

According to the court papers submitted by Drake, UMG was aware that Lamar’s diss track contained lyrics and visuals for a music video that accused Drake of being a pedophile.

He claimed that UMG tolerated such ‘provocative and sensational claims’ since the track proved to be a ‘profitable treasure’ for them.

The rapper asserted that Universal Music Group deliberately boosted the promotion of “Not Like Us” as they foresaw its potential for diminishing the value of Drake’s music, thus gaining an advantage in upcoming contract talks.

As stated in the court case, UMG allegedly hired a third-party service to artificially inflate the number of streams for one of their songs by at least 30 million, using automated programs (bots).

The company is said to have been involved in a manipulative practice called “pay-to-play,” possibly with some radio promoters. They reportedly labeled certain tracks as top charts using false information.

UMG firmly denies Drake’s accusations, explaining that such claims are not grounded in reality and it is irrational to believe they would intentionally tarnish the reputation of any artist, including Drake.

However, during their verbal dispute, Kendrick emphasized in his Song of the Year acceptance speech at the Grammy Awards that there is no greater force than rap music.

Standing here with this prize in my hands, I can confidently say that at the heart of it all lies the undeniable power of hip-hop music.

‘I don’t care what it is. We are the culture, it’s going to always stay here and live forever. 

To the up-and-coming creators, may you hold reverence for your craft, as it will guide you towards your desired destination, Kendrick implied, further emphasizing the distinction between himself and Drake.

DRAKE DEFENDS MILLIE BOBBY BROWN FRIENDSHIP

In a new song titled “Another Late Night,” from his 2023 album “For All The Dogs,” Drake seemed to address those who criticized his friendship with Millie Bobby Brown.

In 2018, there was a bit of a stir when the Stranger Things star disclosed during an interview that she had been closely associated with the rapper-actress when she was only 14 years old.

Since then, the songwriter has drawn inspiration from the controversy for his lyrics, which is clear on his latest album.

In his latest song, Drake mentions Millie Bobby Brown, the star of Enola Holmes, by name. During the track, he raps: “There are odd ones commenting about some Millie Bobby, let’s bring their jokes up to the group, we’ll really laugh them off.

After that, it seemed like the singer of “Find Your Love” was giving a caution to those criticizing his bond with Millie.

I’d passionately declare, “I’ll dispatch a message to your mother, neatly packaged in a FedEx parcel/Unveil the secret, it’s so breathtakingly stunning, truly astounding.

Actress, who received a Primetime Emmy Award nomination, and Drake first crossed paths at an Australian concert back in November 2017.

Instead, let me rephrase it this way: They continued by taking a highly-anticipated picture, where the hip-hop artist placed an arm affectionately around the entertainer.

Later on, Millie shared with W Magazine that the Grammy-winning artist extended an invitation to her for his live performance.

She expressed that she frequently communicates a lot with Drake and regularly seeks his counsel when it comes to her romantic affairs.

The actress from Godzilla: King of the Monsters is currently married to Jake Bongiovi, whom she has been dating since the year 2021.

Afterward, the rapper faced significant backlash due to some perceiving it as encouraging an emotionally harmful bond with the artist.

Later on, Millie posted a statement on her Instagram Story to clarify her friendship with Drake. She expressed this sentiment through Entertainment Tonight: ‘Why do you have to turn a beautiful friendship into a headline?’

The performer conveyed her gratitude for having the freedom to discuss any subject with the rapper, as she chose to do so.

It’s fortunate that professionals within my industry are willing to spare additional time to aid me in advancing my career, and they generously share their expertise and advice with me. I consider myself truly fortunate to be surrounded by such remarkable individuals.

She summarized: ‘It’s satisfying when others grasp my work. Let’s shift focus now to discussing the genuine issues facing our world, beyond just my relationships.’

Last year, it appeared that the tension between Kendrick and Drake peaked as they traded a series of eight diss tracks over a period from March 26 to May 4.

One notable instance, launched in May, involved Kendrick Lamar making headlines by allegedly calling out Drake as someone who has been accused of preying upon minors, with the track “Not Like Us” serving as the platform for this sensational accusation.

In his response song titled “The Heart Part 6”, Drake refuted the accusations by stating that his name would not appear on any sex offender registry.

Apart from that, he additionally initiated a lawsuit, submitting a federal suit for defamation last month, in response to Kendrick’s diss track.

Read More

2025-02-10 20:15

Previous post Cat Quest 3 Gets ‘Mew Game’ Mode with Modifiers and More
Next post EA Sports FC 25 To See Return of Diego Maradona This Week After Legal Dispute