Drake vs Kendrick Lamar: The Biggest Rap Beef of the 2020s Explained Drake vs Kendrick Lamar became one of the most talked-about rap riva...

Drake vs Kendrick Lamar: The Biggest Rap Beef of the 2020s Explained

Drake vs Kendrick Lamar became one of the most talked-about rap rivalries of the 2020s, turning years of competitive tension into an explosive series of diss tracks in 2024. What started with lyrical shots and debates about rap's so-called “Big Three” eventually produced some of the decade's biggest hip-hop records, including Kendrick Lamar's “Not Like Us.”

But how did two rappers who had previously collaborated end up in one of the most intense battles in modern hip-hop? Here's the timeline, the major songs, and why the Drake vs Kendrick Lamar beef became much bigger than a normal rap battle.

How the Drake and Kendrick Lamar Beef Started

The rivalry did not suddenly begin in 2024. Drake and Kendrick had worked together before, including on Drake's “Take Care” track “Buried Alive Interlude” and other collaborations.

The tension became more obvious in 2013 when Kendrick appeared on Big Sean's “Control.” In his verse, Kendrick challenged several major rappers, including Drake, by positioning himself as a serious competitor for rap's top spot.

At the time, the moment was widely discussed as competitive rap rather than an all-out war. According to the Associated Press, the rivalry later resurfaced after J. Cole's 2023 song “First Person Shooter” placed Drake, Kendrick and Cole within the conversation around rap's “Big Three.”

“Like That” Changes Everything

The situation exploded in March 2024.

Kendrick appeared on Future and Metro Boomin's “Like That”, where he rejected the idea of a rap “Big Three.” His verse directly challenged the positions of Drake and J. Cole and immediately became one of the biggest talking points in hip-hop.

That moment transformed years of subtle competition into an active lyrical battle.

Drake responded with “Push Ups,” attacking Kendrick's career, collaborators and position in the rap hierarchy. He later released the AI-assisted “Taylor Made Freestyle,” which used AI-generated representations of Snoop Dogg and Tupac's voices. The track was later removed following legal pressure from Tupac Shakur's estate.

Kendrick Lamar Responds With “Euphoria”

Kendrick answered with “Euphoria,” a lengthy diss track that addressed Drake's public image, music and relationships within hip-hop.

Rather than ending the argument, the song raised the stakes.

Kendrick followed it with “6:16 in LA,” another track filled with accusations and warnings directed toward Drake and his camp.

At this stage, the beef was no longer just about who was the better rapper. Both artists were using songs to challenge each other's credibility, relationships and place within hip-hop culture.

Drake Releases “Family Matters”

Drake responded with “Family Matters,” taking the battle into much more personal territory.

The track addressed Kendrick's relationship and family life while also making serious allegations against him. Kendrick rejected Drake's claims in subsequent music.

The rapid exchange showed why diss battles can become unpredictable. Every new song creates another target, and every accusation can produce another response.

“Meet the Grahams” and “Not Like Us”

The most dramatic stretch of the battle arrived in May 2024.

Kendrick released “Meet the Grahams”, a dark and deeply personal track directed at members of Drake's family. Drake denied allegations made during the battle, and the claims exchanged in the songs should not be treated as established facts simply because they appeared in diss tracks.

Then Kendrick released “Not Like Us.”

The song changed the entire conversation because it combined diss-track aggression with an extremely catchy West Coast-inspired production. Unlike some battle records that primarily appeal to hardcore rap listeners, “Not Like Us” quickly became a mainstream hit.

Billboard reported that the song debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, while GRAMMY later documented its enormous awards impact.

Why “Not Like Us” Became a Cultural Moment

One reason “Not Like Us” became so significant was its accessibility.

The record had a memorable hook, energetic production and a structure that worked in clubs, parties, sporting events and social media clips. People who were not following every detail of the Drake-Kendrick feud could still recognize the song.

That helped transform a rap battle into a wider pop-culture event.

At the 2025 GRAMMY Awards, “Not Like Us” won five awards, including Record of the Year and Song of the Year.

Drake's Final Response: “The Heart Part 6”

Drake responded to Kendrick's attacks with “The Heart Part 6.” The title itself referenced Kendrick's “The Heart” series, turning the song into another layer of their competitive back-and-forth.

However, the musical exchange largely stopped after this stage, while the consequences of the feud continued through charts, awards, performances and legal proceedings.

The Super Bowl Moment

In February 2025, Kendrick performed at the Super Bowl halftime show and included “Not Like Us” in his set.

Billboard reported that Lamar performed the song, including direct references to Drake and OVO affiliates. The performance became another major chapter in the public story surrounding the feud.

The moment demonstrated how far the song had traveled beyond traditional hip-hop spaces.

The Legal Battle Around “Not Like Us”

The conflict also moved beyond music.

Drake filed legal actions against Universal Music Group concerning the promotion of “Not Like Us,” arguing that the company improperly promoted a song containing defamatory allegations about him. UMG denied the accusations.

The legal dispute became a separate issue from the musical competition and illustrates how the consequences of a major rap beef can extend into the business and legal sides of the entertainment industry.

Why the Drake vs Kendrick Lamar Beef Matters

The rivalry became important because it combined several elements of modern music: lyrical competition, streaming, social media, fan communities, chart performance, celebrity culture and business.

It also showed that a diss track can become a mainstream hit when the music itself connects with a much wider audience.

For Nigerian artists and upcoming rappers, there is another lesson. Competition can generate attention, but strong songwriting, memorable production and a clear artistic identity are what can turn attention into lasting music.

DjMondo Music has also explored Kendrick Lamar's career and influence in Kendrick Lamar in 2025: New Album Rumors, Tour Updates & Hip-Hop Headlines. You can also explore hip-hop albums that changed the game for more rap history.

Final Thoughts

The Drake vs Kendrick Lamar beef was years in the making, but 2024 turned their competitive relationship into a global music story.

From “Like That” and “Push Ups” to “Euphoria,” “Family Matters,” “Meet the Grahams,” “Not Like Us” and “The Heart Part 6,” the battle produced a remarkable run of highly discussed records.

Whatever listeners think about the individual diss tracks, the cultural impact is difficult to separate from the music itself. “Not Like Us” became a chart hit, won major GRAMMY awards and was later performed at the Super Bowl.

The story also demonstrates one of hip-hop's oldest traditions: competition can push artists to make music that gets people talking.

What was your most memorable moment from the Drake vs Kendrick Lamar beef — “Like That,” “Euphoria,” “Family Matters,” “Meet the Grahams,” “Not Like Us,” or another track? Share your thoughts in the comments.

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