After months of back and forth diss tracks, subliminal shots, and social media jabs, the verdict is in: Kendrick Lamar has emerged victorious in the Great Rap War against Drake.
The feud between the two rap heavyweights began in 2013, when Kendrick dropped his verse on Big Sean’s “Control” and declared himself the “King of New York.” Drake, who hails from Toronto, took offense to the claim and fired back with a few subtle disses on his own tracks.
But it wasn’t until 2017 that the beef truly heated up. Kendrick released his critically acclaimed album DAMN., which many saw as a direct shot at Drake’s commercial success and lack of substance in his music. Drake responded with a few disses on his More Life playlist, but it was Kendrick’s track “The Heart Part 4” that really set things off.
In the song, Kendrick takes aim at Drake’s ghostwriting allegations and calls him out for being a “fake” rapper. Drake responded with his own diss track, “Duppy Freestyle,” where he takes shots at Kendrick’s sales numbers and claims to have ghostwriters of his own.
But it was Kendrick’s response, “The Story of Adidon,” that truly sealed the deal. In the track, he exposes Drake’s secret child and attacks his family and personal life. The song caused a frenzy on social media and left Drake scrambling to defend himself.
While Drake did release a response track, “8 Out of 10,” it was too little too late. Kendrick’s disses simply hit harder and resonated more with fans. Plus, the fact that Drake had to address the personal attacks in his music only solidified Kendrick’s win in the eyes of many.
But beyond just the diss tracks, Kendrick’s overall impact and influence in the rap game cannot be denied. He has consistently delivered thought-provoking and socially conscious music, while Drake has often been criticized for his more commercial and surface-level approach.
In the end, the Great Rap War between Kendrick Lamar and Drake may have been entertaining for fans, but it also highlighted the stark differences between the two artists and their respective styles. And while Drake may still hold the title for commercial success, Kendrick has proven himself to be the true king of the rap game.
