Music critics Charles Holmes and Justin Sayles dissect the ongoing beef between Drake and Kendrick Lamar, discussing diss tracks, declaring a winner, and ranking their top 3 songs. They analyze the strategies, impact, and controversial lyrics of both rappers, highlighting the intense rivalry and unexpected directions taken in the feud.
Drake drops a seven and a half minute track, Family Matters, strategically targeting various figures in Kendrick's life, such as Dave Free, and making serious allegations against Kendrick's character. The song creates an intense and dark atmosphere, leaving listeners with a sense of unease and worry about where the beef is heading.
Meet the Grahams
Kendrick's response, Meet the Grahams, hits back with force, directly addressing Drake's claims and allusions, including the pedophilia angle. The song neutralizes Drake's previous track and strategically sets the stage for further disses. While dark and aggressive, it clears the way for a more focused and impactful narrative.
Not Like Us
Not Like Us shifts the tone back to a brighter and more engaging vibe, reinvigorating the playful and competitive energy of the beef. Kendrick cleverly references the backstory established in Meet the Grahams to deliver impactful lines, excelling in lyrical content and successfully shifting the focus from Drake's allegations back to a more lively engagement.
Final Thoughts
In the midst of this intense back-and-forth between Drake and Kendrick, the storyline evolves from strategic attacks to a narrative steeped in darker allegations and personal jabs. Pushing boundaries of traditional diss tracks and engaging in a high-stakes battle, both artists showcase their lyrical prowess and ability to shift the narrative, ultimately presenting a complex and multifaceted exchange in the world of rap beef.
Third Place: Euphoria by Kendrick Lamar
Euphoria, a track filled with straight bars from Kendrick Lamar, takes the third spot. As a Kendrick fan, the excitement of a six-minute track with pure bars targeting an artist not widely appreciated resonates well.
Second Place: Not Like Us by Drake
Not Like Us secures the second spot for its historical significance and infectious nature. This track kicks off the beef magnificently and sets a high standard for the battle.
First Place: Not Like Us by Kendrick Lamar
Not Like Us claims the top spot unanimously for its impact and quality. The song manages to expose Drake's vulnerabilities and rallies a global army against him, illustrating Kendrick's prowess in shaping the battle's narrative.
Bonus: bbl drizzy
An additional mention goes to 'bbl drizzy', a creative commercial tribute to Drake's plastic surgery rumors by Metro Boomin. This AI-generated track showcases widespread disdain towards Drake, highlighting the extensive backlash against the rap giant.
Cole is joined by The Ringer's Charles Holmes and Justin Sayles to discuss the weekend's sudden and chaotic crescendo of the ongoing beef between Drake and Kendrick Lamar. They talk through the timeline events, discuss each track, and declare a winner. Finally, they rank their top 3 songs of the beef.
Our current season on MF DOOM will resume next Tuesday, May 14th.
