There’s been a stir in the rap world lately! Rappers Kendrick Lamar Drake and J Cole seem to be feuding. This drama started heating up recently with a new song by Kendrick that hints at some tension between them. Fans are confused because these rappers are all big stars in the same genre and seem to know each other. Why can’t they be friends?
This war has been waging for months, starting with a song released in Oct. 2023 that seemed to compliment Kendrick. J. Cole’s verse, though, rubbed Kendrick the wrong way.
The Players:
Drake: The Canadian artist, known for his blend of rap and R&B, has achieved immense commercial success with hits like “Hotline Bling,” “One Dance,” and “Hold On We’re Going Home.”
Kendrick Lamar: Hailing from Compton, Kendrick is celebrated as one of the best lyricists of his generation. His thought-provoking rhymes tackle topics like police brutality, black self-worth, and internal conflicts. In 2018, he made history by becoming the first hip-hop artist to win the Pulitzer Prize for music.
J Cole: Born in Germany and raised in North Carolina, J Cole emerged under Jay-Z’s mentorship. His introspective, analytical songs, including hits like “Middle Child” and “Deja Vu,” have resonated with fans worldwide.
Why are these rappers Kendrick Lamar Drake and J Cole fighting?
The initial spark came from a gesture of unity. In October of last year, Drake released his eighth album, For All The Dogs, featuring a collaboration with J Cole titled “First Person Shooter.” In one verse, Cole referred to himself, Drake, and Kendrick as the “big three” of the current hip-hop era:
“Love when they argue the hardest MC / Is it K. Dot [Kendrick]? Is it Aubrey [Drake]? Or me? / We the big three, like we started a league.”
The song debuted at the top of the US singles chart, marking Drake’s 13th and Cole’s first number-one hit. However, Kendrick was paying attention, and he wasn’t pleased.
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Kendrick’s Explosive Response:
Kendrick Lamar, known for his tightly wound delivery and thought-provoking lyrics, dropped an uncredited verse on the track “Like That” by rappers Metro Boomin’ and Future. His bars were incendiary:
“No ‘big three’ – it’s just big me.”
Many had drawn connections between Drake and Michael Jackson after he tied MJ’s record of number one singles by a male artist. However, Kendrick insisted that if Drake was Michael Jackson, he was Prince.
Even being on the album in general was a shady move. After all, Metro Boomin also had a falling out with Drake. They were once collaborators, but since they’re no longer friends, linking up with Kendrick sends a strong message.
How does Drake respond?
He wasn’t happy to hear Kendrick’s diss and felt he couldn’t ignore it. During a concern in Florida, he told the crowd: “A lot of people ask me how I’m feeling. I’ma let you know I’m feeling. I got my f**king head up high, my back straight, I’m 10 f**king toes down in Florida and anywhere else I go. And I know that no matter what, it’s not a [person] on this earth that could ever f**k with me in my life!”
How did J. Cole respond?
Rather than making a statement like Drake, J. Cole kept the fight in the music. He dropped an album called Might Delete Later. He immediately came after Kendrick, rapping: “I got a phone call, they say that somebody dissing / You want some attention, it come with extensions,” he rapped. “He still doing shows but fell off like The Simpsons.”
Despite celebrating Kendrick’s work in that original song, J. Cole hit back at his work, saying his new music “fell off.” He rapped: “Your third [album] was massive and that was your prime. / I was trailing right behind and I just now hit mine.”
The Ongoing Feud:
The feud continues. Subsequent tracks, social media posts, and interviews fueled the fire. Fans take sides, dissecting verses and analyzing subliminal shots. The tension remains palpable, and hip-hop enthusiasts eagerly await the next move from these three heavyweight artists.
In the world of rap, beefs come and go, but this one feels different. Only time will tell whether it’s a genuine rivalry or a calculated marketing ploy. One thing’s for sure: the “big three” are no longer united, and their lyrical sparring has become a defining moment in hip-hop history.
