Decryption | Kendrick v. Drake in six rounds

First offense

In a short time, Kendrick Lamar is recognized as one of the best in his profession. He does not hesitate to let it be known by declaring on the piece Control, by Big Sean, that he tries to “kill” the competition, mentioning among others J. Cole, Meek Mill, Pusha T, Mac Miller, Tyler, The Creator and Drake. Some of them fight back, but not the latter. A few years gone by and a little more fuel from Kendrick – the songs King Kunta And Deep Waterin particular – ultimately motivate the Canadian to react on 100, from The Game. He insinuates that Kendrick’s fans would be his if he hadn’t become a pop artist.

The question of top 3

Last October, J. Cole finally managed to climb to the top of the charts thanks to First Person Shooterhis contribution to the album For All the Dogs, by Drake. On it, he states that himself, Drizzy and Kendrick constitute the “ big three » of hip-hop. Some would have been flattered, but not the latter. On March 22, on Like Thattaken from the first part We Don’t Trust You by Future and Metro Boomin, the Compton MC assures that he is in another league then shoots several arrows in the direction of the two friends. The song, which today has more than 200 million streams on Spotify, sets things on fire.

Shots from all sides… even from the AI

J. Cole responded first, on April 5, with 7 Minute Drillsince removed from his aptly titled album Might Delete Later – he warned us. A few days after the release, at the Dreamville festival, he apologized and then admitted to having succumbed to peer pressure to record a line.

The following week, A$AP Rocky and The Weeknd sent some barbs to Drake on We Still Don’t Trust You, second offering from Future and Metro Boomin. On April 13, comparing herself to Uma Thurman’s character in Kill Bill – because he fights alone against many –, Drake launches Push Ups, which targets everyone who has faced him and his frequent collaborator Rick Ross. This one, who will be at the Mural festival on June 15, hastens to respond with Champagne Momentson which he accuses Drake of not writing his lyrics and of having resorted to cosmetic surgery.

For a moment it appears that Kendrick is returning to the arena with 1 Shot 1 Kill, but it is a creation with the help of artificial intelligence (AI) quickly claimed by Sy The Rapper. AI is also used to imitate Drake’s voice and style on the song Hi Whitney. Aubrey Graham deliberately uses AI on his next attack, Taylor Made. In order to humiliate Lamar, he reproduces the voices of his idols Snoop Dogg and 2Pac. The family of the latter, who died in 1996, threatened to sue him and the false contributions were deleted.

On April 21, Kanye West jumped into the fray with a remix of Like Thatwhich revives old hostilities with Drake.

Six-minute clubbing

Although some believe he took too long to respond, euphoria is for the moment the most eloquent proposition generated in this chicanery between hip-hop stars. On three beats which follow one another, Kendrick Lamar deploys a vast arsenal of flows to cut Drake and Aubrey Graham to pieces, as much the artist as the man. He questions its authenticity by evoking his use of authors for his texts (ghostwriters). The Californian makes fun of the way the Canadian draws inspiration from different cultures to forge his artistic identity. He also attacks his qualities as a parent and friend. “Yeah, Cole and Aubrey know I’m a selfish n***a/The crown is heavy, huh/I pray they my real friends, if not, I’m YNW Melly. »

In 2019, YNW Melly was charged with the murder of two rappers he was previously associated with. Kendrick suggests he could do the same – in song. Since Tuesday, the texts, videos and podcasts dissecting the words ofeuphoria multiply. The explanations of Dissect Podcast are among the most relevant.