Drake is one of the most successful and influential artists of our generation, blending hip-hop, R&B, and pop to create a versatile sound that appeals to a massive audience. Since his debut in the late 2000’s, ‘Thank Me Later’ (2010) which is stated by fans and critics as one of the best debut albums of all time, debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, solidifying his mainstream success. He continuously evolved his sound, blending rap, R&B, and pop, which broadened his audience. With hit albums like ‘Take Care’ (2011) and ‘Nothing Was the Same’ (2013), he became one of the biggest names in music. His ability to consistently drop chart-topping hits, stay relevant through internet culture, and adapt to new trends cemented his status as a global superstar.
However, it seems that his long-time reign is being challenged and might be coming to an end, as the weight of his past controversies and feuds has finally started to catch up with him. Over the years, he has been involved in numerous criticisms with each conflict adding a layer of scrutiny to his career.
Drake has consistently topped charts with hits like ‘God’s Plan’, ‘Hotline Bling’, and ‘One Dance’ and many more. His ability to adapt to different styles, collaborate with a wide range of artists, and maintain a strong presence in pop culture has cemented his status as a global superstar. Beyond music, his emotional and introspective lyrics have resonated with fans, making him a relatable figure. His dominance in streaming and social media engagement further solidifies his position as one of the biggest names in modern music.
Drake is unquestionably one of the best artists of the 2010’s and of all time, whether you like him or not. However, can we distinguish between art and artist? Throughout his career, he has received a lot of criticism, and we’ve highlighted several of these criticisms/controversies and let you answer the question for yourselves: does drake really deserve it?
His Shots at Kid Cudi
In October 2016, Drake released the track ‘Two Birds, One Stone’, which included lines targeting fellow rapper Kid Cudi’s struggles with mental health and substance use after Kid Cudi called Drake out for not being genuine with him. Drake rapped:
“You were the man on the moon, now you go through your phases / You stay xann’d and perk’d up so when reality set in, you don’t gotta face it.”
Drake
These lyrics referenced Cudi’s debut album, ‘Man on the Moon’, and his admission into rehab for depression and suicidal thoughts earlier that month.
The public response was swift and critical. Many fans and commentators condemned Drake for mocking Cudi’s mental health challenges, viewing it as a perpetuation of stigma against mental illness. Critics highlighted the insensitivity of attacking someone during a vulnerable period, noting that such actions could discourage openness about mental health struggles.
Drake responded to the backlash by addressing the situation on Instagram, suggesting that individuals should refrain from mentioning his name when under the influence and emphasing that it was “supposed to be all love out here.”
Many people didn’t agree with Drake’s approach and felt let down by him for kicking someone when they were at their lowest.
XXXTENTACION
Drake has faced heavy backlash from the public for his alleged involvement in the feud with the late rapper XXXTENTACION, a controversy that has persisted for years. The tension between the two artists reportedly began in 2017 when XXXTENTACION accused Drake of copying his flow from the song ‘Look at Me!’ for Drake’s track ‘KMT’ while even going as far to label Drake as a “Culture Vulture.” XXXTENTACION even took to social media to publicly call him out on Instagram, saying “If anyone tries to kill me, it was @champagnepapi / I’m snitching right now!” escalating the situation. Their conflict never saw resolution, as XXXTENTACION was tragically murdered in 2018. However, speculation regarding Drake’s connection to the incident has only grown over time, fueled by cryptic lyrics and conspiracy theories circulating online.
Also, Drake has long been rumored to have sneak-dissed XXXTENTACION in his lyrics, over the years. One of the most widely discussed examples is found in Drake’s 2023 song ‘On BS’, where Drake raps:
“Damn, maybe I should do a twenty / Maybe I should break that twenty, do a ten / Maybe I should break that ten, do a five / Then if it gets live, do a five again / If he held his tongue on that live, he’d be alive again.“
Drake
Fans interpreted this as a clear reference to XXXTENTACION’s death, as he was killed at the age of 20, and the numerical breakdown eerily mirrors the way his age could be split. Additionally, in the song ‘I’m Upset’, released just days before XXXTENTACION’s murder, Drake raps: “SMS, triple X / That’s the only time I ever shoot below the neck.” Some fans believe this line alludes to XXXTENTACION (whose name includes “XXX”), especially considering he was fatally shot in the neck.
Another example follows a major controversy surrounding the ‘SICKO MODE’ music video (by Travis Scott featuring Drake) which stemmed from a brief scene that some fans believed resembled the late rapper XXXTENTACION being crushed by a rock. In the video, there’s a moment where a character—who some thought bore a resemblance to XXXTENTACION—appears to be hit by a massive rock, leading to speculation that it was a reference to the late rapper. This sparked widespread backlash as many fans saw the scene as disrespectful and intentional.
Additionally, in ‘Mob Ties’, Drake says, “Louis bags in exchange for body bags.” Since XXXTENTACION was killed during an attempted robbery for a Louis Vuitton bag, fans speculated that this was an intentional nod to his death.
Despite these theories, Drake has never confirmed that any of these lyrics were directed at XXXTENTACION. However, with multiple lines seemingly alluding to his age, cause of death, and past disputes, fans continue to speculate whether these are mere coincidences or intentional sneak disses.
The backlash against Drake intensified when certain lyrics from his songs appeared to reference XXXTENTACION’s death in ways that some found suspicious or insensitive. Lines from tracks like ‘I’m Upset’ and ‘Mob Ties’ were interpreted by fans as potential subliminal messages regarding XXXTENTACION’s murder.
Additionally, during a 2023 trial of XXXTENTACION’s killers, one of the defense attorneys attempted to suggest that Drake should have been investigated as a potential suspect and in November 2024, One of the murderers of XXXTENTACION, Dedrick Williams filed an appeal, again implicating Drake by referencing the previous social media post and the alleged feud. Despite these efforts, there has been no substantial evidence linking Drake to XXXTENTACION’s murder, and he has not been required to participate in the legal proceedings. Although there was no concrete evidence linking Drake to the crime, the mere suggestion reignited controversy, leading to heated debates on social media.
Despite the backlash, Drake has largely avoided directly addressing the controversy, choosing instead to let his music and public appearances speak for themselves. However, the continued speculation and accusations from certain segments of the hip-hop community have contributed to a lingering stain on his reputation. While some believe Drake was unfairly targeted by conspiracy theories, others remain skeptical and continue to scrutinize his words and actions.
The Millie Bobby Brown Controversy
This controversy began in 2018 when Brown, then 14 years old, revealed in an interview that she and Drake, who was 31 at the time, texted frequently and that he gave her “boy advice.” Drake faced huge amounts of backlash for texting Millie Bobby Brown because of the significant age gap between them and the nature of their friendship. While Brown defended their friendship, many people found it inappropriate for a grown man to be texting a teenage girl, especially about personal topics.
Critics raised concerns about the power imbalance and how such relationships could potentially be exploitative, even if unintentional.
The situation was further scrutinized in the context of broader conversations about Hollywood and older male celebrities maintaining close friendships with much younger women.
Brown later addressed the backlash, calling it “weird.” that people were making a big deal out of it, and insisted that their friendship was harmless. However, the discourse surrounding it remained a topic of debate, with many people feeling uncomfortable about the dynamic.
Adonis
The backlash against Drake for “hiding” his son, Adonis, started in 2018 during his highly publicised feud with veteran rapper, Pusha T. The controversy unfolded when Pusha T released the diss track ‘The Story of Adidon’, in which Pusha T exposed that Drake had a secret son, rapping:
“A baby’s involved, it’s deeper than rap / We talkin’ character, let me keep with the facts / You are hiding a child, let that boy come home / Deadbeat motherf***er playing border patrol / Adonis is your son / And he deserves more than an Adidas press run, that’s real.”
Pusha T
This revelation shocked fans because Drake had never publicly acknowledged having a child. Adding to the controversy, Pusha T claimed Drake planned to reveal Adonis as part of a marketing campaign with Adidas, which made it seem like he was commodifying his son rather than embracing fatherhood openly.
Drake later responded in his 2018 album Scorpion, confirming Adonis’ existence on the song ‘Emotionless’:
“I wasn’t hiding my kid from the world, I was hiding the world from my kid.”
Drake
He explained that he kept his son’s life private to protect him from media scrutiny. Over time, Drake became more open about fatherhood, regularly sharing moments with Adonis on social media.
However, the backlash at the time stemmed from fans feeling misled and from the perception that Pusha T had forced him to acknowledge his son publicly.
DRAM & Hotline Bling
The controversy between Drake and DRAM (formerly known as D.R.A.M.) began in 2015 when Drake released his hit song ‘Hotline Bling‘. DRAM accused Drake of copying the melody and overall vibe of his song ‘Cha Cha’, which had been gaining popularity at the time. ‘Cha Cha’ was a lighthearted, dance-oriented track that was making waves on social media and streaming platforms, with DRAM even claiming Beyoncé had danced to it. However, once Hotline Bling dropped, many people noticed similarities between the two songs. Even XXXTENTACION, who had a battle with Drake in 2017, gave his take on the controversy surrounding Drake’s ‘Hotline Bling‘ in which XXXTENTACION claimed Drake had stolen the popular song from DRAM.
“It’s cool, we all know ‘Hotline Bling’ was a bite of ‘Cha Cha’ / I’m not the first n**** he bit nor will I be the last / Money don’t buy you respect.”
XXXTENTACION
DRAM accused Drake of taking the melody and style of his song for ‘Hotline Bling’, and there was some public back-and-forth about whether or not Drake had copied DRAM’s work without credit.
DRAM took to social media and interviews to express his disappointment, stating that Drake had essentially jacked his song and made it bigger. While he never pursued legal action, he made it clear that he felt slighted. In contrast, Drake never explicitly addressed the allegations but did downplay the situation in interviews, suggesting that ‘Hotline Bling’ was inspired by different musical influences, particularly the dancehall and R&B sounds he was exploring at the time. Despite this, many fans continued to compare the two songs and debate whether Drake had borrowed too heavily from ‘Cha Cha‘.
The situation resurfaced in 2022 when DRAM directly called out Drake again, this time in response to a lyric on Drake and 21 Savage’s song ‘BackOutsideBoyz‘. In the track, Drake raps about a past altercation, saying,
“Tried to bring the drama to me, he ain’t know how we cha-cha slide.”
Drake
DRAM quickly responded, claiming that this was a reference to an old incident where only Drake’s security not himself allegedly, roughed him up. DRAM used social media to air his grievances, calling out Drake for what he saw as a lack of originality and an unwillingness to acknowledge their past issues.
While the controversy has never escalated into anything major beyond words, it highlights the frequent accusations against Drake regarding musical appropriation. Over the years, various artists have accused him of borrowing styles, sounds, and flows without giving due credit. The DRAM situation remains one of the more notable criticisms of Drake’s career, especially given the commercial success of ‘Hotline Bling’ compared to ‘Cha Cha‘.
The Weeknd
Drake feud with The Weeknd has been a long-running, complex relationship that started with mutual admiration which was turned into a great friendship but later turned bitter and sour over creative and business differences. Their history dates back to the early 2010’s when Drake was one of the first major artists to champion The Weeknd, giving him a platform by featuring his music on ‘Take Care’ (2011). At the time, The Weeknd was an underground R&B sensation from Toronto, known for his mysterious persona and atmospheric sound.
Drake heavily promoted him, even calling The Weeknd “his little brother.” However, things took a turn for the worst, when The Weeknd decided not to sign with Drake’s OVO Sound label and instead pursued his own path with XO, later aligning with Republic Records. Many speculated that Drake felt betrayed since he had introduced The Weeknd to a wider audience.
“You won’t get away with just a thank you…you owe me a favour.”
Drake
As The Weeknd’s career skyrocketed, subtle jabs between the two surfaced in music and interviews. Some fans believe Drake’s song ‘6PM in New York’ contained subliminal shots at The Weeknd, implying that he owed his success to Drake’s early support. Meanwhile, The Weeknd has hinted in various lyrics that he played a significant role in shaping ‘Take Care’ (2011) and that his talents weren’t fully recognized at the time. Their relationship seemed to improve in the late 2010s, with public moments of reconciliation and even a rumoured collaboration that never happened.
However, things took another turn in 2024 which suggested that any previous truce had faded and in April 2024, The Weeknd appeared on Future and Metro Boomin’s album ‘We Still Don’t Trust You’ (2024), where he seemingly addressed his decision not to sign with OVO. On the track ‘All To Myself’, The Weeknd sang:
“They could never diss my brothers, baby / When they got leaks in they operation / I thank God that I never signed my life away.”
The Weeknd
In response, Drake released a diss track titled ‘Push Ups’, where he took aim at several artists, including The Weeknd. He rapped:
“Claim the 6 and boys ain’t even come from it / And when you boys got rich you had to run from it / Cash blowin’ Abel bread out here trickin’ / Shit we do for b****** he doing for n****s.”
Drake
The Weeknd reacted to this track by sharing a photo of himself laughing while eating popcorn, suggesting he was unbothered by Drake’s remarks.
Later, in November 2024, during a livestream with popular streamer xQc, Drake further showcased the tension between the two. When The Weeknd’s song ‘Starboy’ began playing, Drake promptly requested it be turned off, stating, “We’re real sixers. Real Six Side. We don’t listen to that.” This incident highlighted that there beef will never be resolved and it’s too late to fix.
His Response to Joe Budden’s Opinion on ‘For All The Dogs’
Drake faced some backlash for his response to Joe Budden’s critique of ‘For All The Dogs’ (2023). Budden, on his podcast, criticised the album, saying Drake was making music for younger audiences rather than evolving with his age. He also suggested that Drake should focus on more mature content rather than partying with younger artists.
Drake fired back on Instagram, calling Budden a “failure” and implying that his opinions stemmed from jealousy over his own unsuccessful rap career. He accused Budden of being bitter and positioning himself as an authority on rap despite not achieving mainstream success as an artist.
“@joebudden you have failed at music. You left it behind to do what you are doing in this clip cause this is what actually pays your bills. For any artist watching this just remember you are watching a failure give their opinion on his idea of a recipe for success…a quitter give their opinion on how to achieve longevity…you switched careers cause the things that pop into your brain had you broke living cheque to cheque and the raps you write had 450 men showing up to your shows in dusty Enyce jeans to screw up their face to Mood Muzik 29 and pretend you are the goat…pls to any artist that’s doing what they feel is right don’t let these opinions affect your mindset after the fact…this guy is the poster child of frustration and surrendering. You retired and we never hung up your jersey we don’t even remember your number. We know you for doing this…you withdrew from rap not cause you accomplished all you need to it’s cause it wasn’t working for you. I never want anybody in the generations to think that the whole “everybody’s entitled to their opinion” is a real thing…this is a man projecting his own self hate and the fact I did and continue to do everything he wanted to do for himself. If you need it put in simpler terms I own a 767… he owns a modest house in the 973 and flies first class on special occasions.”
Drake
The backlash against Drake came from both fans and industry figures who felt his response was overly defensive and unnecessarily personal. Many argued that Budden was just offering constructive criticism, and instead of engaging in a meaningful discussion, Drake resorted to insults. Some also felt Drake was being hypocritical, as he has openly criticised other artists in the past.
On the other hand, Drake’s supporters defended him, saying that Budden has a history of harsh critiques and that Drake had every right to clap back. The situation sparked debates about artists’ sensitivity to criticism and whether veteran rappers like Budden should be respected as critics.
“Your Existence is a light 1”
Anthony Fantano, widely known as “The Internet’s Busiest Music Nerd”, has built a reputation as a distinctive and outspoken music reviewer. He gained recognition for sharing his in-depth opinions on albums through his popular YouTube channel, ‘The Needle Drop’.
However, not everyone appreciates his critiques—one of the most notable being Drake. The drama between the two began when Fantano gave some of Drake’s albums extremely low scores, criticizing his artistic progression.
Things took a bizarre turn when Fantano jokingly shared a fake direct message from Drake, which contained nothing more than a cookie recipe. While fans found the joke amusing, Drake wasn’t laughing. In response, the rapper took to Instagram to post the real DM he had sent Fantano, writing:
“Your existence is a light 1 / And the 1 is cause you are alive, And cause you somehow wifed a Black girl / I’m feeling a light to decent 1 on your existence.”
Drake
Ouch.
Many felt the message was unnecessary and overly harsh, leading to an outpouring of support for Anthony Fantano. In response, he described the situation as “a bit of a diss… a salty little DM. It was quite sad and unfortunate.”
Dissing Rihanna on ‘For All The Dogs’
Rihanna and Drake’s relationship has been a rollercoaster of romance and friendship, spanning over a decade. Their connection first sparked in 2009, shortly after Rihanna’s highly publicised breakup with Chris Brown. While both initially denied any romantic involvement, Drake later admitted that he had strong feelings for Rihanna, but she wasn’t as invested at the time. This imbalance set the tone for much of their on-and-off relationship, with Drake often appearing more emotionally attached than Rihanna.
Their chemistry was undeniable, both personally and professionally, as they collaborated on multiple hit songs, including ‘What’s My Name?’, ‘Take Care’ (2011), and ‘Work’. These collaborations only fuelled speculation about their relationship, particularly during performances where their on-stage chemistry was electric. However, Rihanna seemed hesitant to fully commit to a relationship with Drake, often emphasising in interviews that they were just friends. Meanwhile, Drake openly expressed his admiration and love for her, most notably during the 2016 MTV Video Music Awards, where he presented Rihanna with the Vanguard Award and declared that he had been in love with her since he was 22. Rather than reciprocating publicly, Rihanna appeared uncomfortable, later admitting in an interview that the moment made her feel overwhelmed.
Despite their undeniable connection, their relationship was plagued by timing issues, personal differences, and external pressures. Rihanna, known for her independent and strong-willed nature, seemed wary of fully giving in to a public romance with Drake, while he often wore his heart on his sleeve. Their relationship officially came to an end in 2019, with Rihanna moving on and starting a family with A$AP Rocky which in many people’s eyes left a sour feeling for Drake.
In October 2023, Drake faced significant backlash for seemingly dissing his ex-girlfriend Rihanna in his song ‘Fear of Heights’ from his album ‘For All the Dogs’ (2023). In the track, he raps:
“Why they make it sound like I’m still hung up on you? / That could never be / Gyal can’t run me / Better him than me / Better it’s not me / I’m anti, I’m anti / Yeah, and the sex was average with you / Yeah, I’m anti ’cause I had it with you / Okay, I’m auntie like your daddy’s sister / Auntie like a family picture / And I had way badder bitches than you, TBH / Yeah, that man, he still with you, he can’t leave / Y’all go on vacation, I bet it’s Antigua.”
Drake
Many fans felt that Drake’s comments, which some perceived as disrespectful or petty, that is was uncalled for. This kind of tension also sparked backlash because of the contrast between Drake’s public persona of supporting women in the industry and his personal actions, which seemed contradictory.
Disrespecting someone as iconic as Rihanna felt like a betrayal to fans of Rihanna & Drake. Many expressed their belief that Drake comes across as a resentful man who finds it difficult to understand that his ex has moved on as a result of this diss.
Kendrick Lamar
It’s shocking to learn that these two well-known rap icons were actually once good friends who worked together and always showed nothing but support for each other in 2011 and 2012.
Drake even brought Kendrick Lamar out on tour as a special guest ‘Club Paradise Tour’ in 2012, and it was a big moment for both artists as Kendrick was gaining major momentum with his 2012 album ‘good kid, m.A.A.d city’. Their partnership during that time helped cement their friendship and influence in the rap and hip-hop scene but one verse permanently altered their friendship forever.
However, The feud began in 2013, stems from a combination of lyrical tension, competition for dominance in hip-hop, and public statements. One of the first signs of animosity between the two artists came in 2013, when Kendrick Lamar appeared as a feature for his verse on ‘Control’, a track by Big Sean. In this verse, Kendrick famously called out several of his peers in the rap game, including Drake, by name, challenging other rappers to step up their game. While Kendrick’s verse was seen by many as a playful competitive jab, Drake took it personally, interpreting it as a challenge to his status.
“I’m usually homeboys with the same n***** I’m rhymin’ wit / But this is hip hop and them n***** should know what time it is / And / That goes for Jermaine Cole, Big KRIT, Wale, Pusha T, Meek Millz, A$AP Rocky, Drake, Big Sean, Jay Electron’, Tyler, Mac Miller / I got love for you all but I’m tryna murder you n***** / Tryna make sure your core fans never heard of you n***** / They dont wanna hear not one more noun or verb from you n*****.”
Kendrick Lamar
Drake’s response came in a series of interviews and songs, where he subtly dissed Kendrick. One of the most notable instances was when Drake released ‘The Language’ in 2013, with lines that seemed to criticise Kendrick’s rap style and his claim to the throne. Kendrick, in turn, continued to keep his distance from any direct conflict and showed love to Drake but made it clear in interviews that he saw Drake as an artist who didn’t measure up to his competitive spirit.
The feud seemed to cool off in 2015, but in 2016, tensions flared again with Drake’s release of ‘Summer Sixteen’, in which he took a direct shot at Kendrick, calling out his “alleged” rap style. This set the stage for another round of back-and-forth exchanges between the two artists. However, despite the back-and-forth jabs, neither Kendrick nor Drake ever fully engaged in an all-out rap war, and their rivalry mostly played out in interviews, songs, and subtle references.
Despite this tension, there were moments where the two seemed to squabble over the crown of hip-hop dominance, especially with their different approaches to success. Drake, with his blend of rap and R&B, built a global fan base, while Kendrick stuck with more traditional hip-hop, frequently challenging social issues with his lyricism. Over time, it became clear that their beef was largely about maintaining their respective positions in hip-hop and asserting dominance in a genre that thrives on competition.
In the years that followed, both artists have managed to avoid direct conflict, with Kendrick’s focus on his art and Drake continuing to dominate the charts until 2023.
On the track ‘First Person Shooter’ from ‘For All the Dogs’ (2023), J. Cole reflects on his ongoing success in the rap game, taking a moment to acknowledge his place at the top. He asserts that he, Drake, and Kendrick Lamar make up the “big three” in modern rap, a trio that dominates the genre with their influence and skill. However, Cole goes further in his comparison, expressing that, while these other two artists are undeniably legends in their own right, he personally sees himself as a figure akin to Muhammad Ali—a champion, constantly evolving, and proving himself to be the greatest. His comparison to Ali reflects not only confidence in his own craft but also the sense of mastery and longevity he has achieved in the industry.
After J. Cole made headlines with his bold claim about being part of the “big three” of rap, Kendrick Lamar wasted no time responding. In late March 2024, Kendrick appeared on the highly anticipated album ‘We Don’t Trust You’ (2024), on the track ‘Like That’ a collaboration between Future and Metro Boomin. On his verse, Kendrick made it clear that he wasn’t fazed by the rivalry, delivering a strong response to both Cole and Drake. With his signature intensity, he rapped:
“Ah, yeah, huh, yeah, get up with me / F*** sneak dissin’, first person shooter / I hope they came with three switches / I crash out, like, “F*** rap,” diss Melle Mel if I had to / Got two T’s with me, I’m snatchin’ chains and burnin’ tattoos / It’s up, lost too many soldiers not to play it safe. / If he walk around with that stick, it ain’t Andre 3K. / Think I won’t drop the location? I still got PTSD. / Motherf*** the big three, n****. It’s just big me / N****, bum / What? I’m really like that / And your best work is a light pack / N****, Prince outlived Mike Jack’ / N****, bum / ‘Fore all your dogs gettin’ buried / That’s a K with all these nines, he gon’ see Pet Sematary.”
Kendrick Lamar
Asserting that he’s standing tall on his own and doesn’t need to play into the notion of a trio. The line sparked immediate buzz, as fans eagerly dissected the competitive tension brewing between the three rap giants.
A little while after the diss, J. Cole faced widespread mockery after unexpectedly withdrawing from his rap battle with Kendrick Lamar, a showdown that many fans had anticipated as one of the most significant lyrical clashes in hip-hop history. The situation escalated when Cole, who initially responded to Kendrick’s subliminal shots with ‘7 Minute Drill’, later issued a public apology at ‘Dreamville Fest’, calling his own diss track “corny.” This move was seen by many as a premature retreat, leading to ridicule from both fans and fellow artists who expected him to stand his ground in a competitive rap environment.
Especially since hip-hop has long been built on the foundation of lyrical battles, where backing down is often perceived as a sign of weakness. For an artist like J. Cole who has consistently presented himself as a top-tier lyricist—the decision to drop out was seen by many as cowardly. Fans pointed out that his admiration for Kendrick seemed to overshadow the competitive nature of the moment, making his withdrawal feel more like an emotional surrender than a strategic move. Memes and online discourse painted Cole as too soft for battle rap, contrasting him with past greats who thrived in similar conflicts.
Additionally, the optics of Cole’s exit made matters worse. His apology came off as an attempt to de-escalate rather than engage, reinforcing the idea that he wasn’t built for the aggression required in rap beef. This led to speculation that his initial diss track was released without full confidence, and once he realised the gravity of the situation, he backpedaled. While some fans appreciated his humility, others saw it as a letdown, further fuelling jokes and criticism across social media.
Drake, on the other hand, would not dodge the diss and denounce J.Cole for stepping down, as Drake declared that he will not overlook it.
So it was no surprise that Hip-hop fans and the internet erupted in excitement and debate as two rap icons, Drake and Kendrick Lamar, went head-to-head in a heated lyrical-rap battle. The exchange of diss tracks had social media buzzing, with fans dissecting every bar and analysing the deeper meaning behind their words. What made this rivalry even more captivating was its connection to hip-hop history, as many drew parallels between their feud and the legendary tension between 2Pac and The Notorious B.I.G. The echoes of that iconic rivalry added an extra layer of intensity, making this showdown one of the most talked-about moments in modern rap history.
The feud intensified in May 2024 when Kendrick released ‘Not Like Us’, a scathing diss track accusing Drake of inappropriate behaviour, including pedophilia. The song, known for its direct criticism of him being a “colonizer” in the rap game and the cover art featured a satellite image of Drake’s Toronto mansion labeled with pins suggesting criminal activity. Drake responded with ‘The Heart Part 6′, denying the allegations and accusing Kendrick of fabricating stories based on personal trauma with the entirety of internet stating that Drake lost to Kendrick Lamar.
In November 2024, Drake’s reputation would really take nosedive with hip-hop critics and fans as he took legal action against Universal Music Group (UMG) and Spotify, alleging they artificially inflated the streams of ‘Not Like Us’ and engaged in defamatory practices. UMG denied these claims, labelling them as “offensive and untrue.” Drake further sued UMG for defamation in January 2025, asserting that the label prioritised corporate interests over the well-being of its artists. Critics argue that resorting to legal action contradicts the traditional norms of hip-hop, where artists typically address disputes through music rather than the courts.
Many critisied Drake’s decision, with even Joe Budden weighing in, suggesting it undermines the essence of hip-hop culture. He emphasised that diss tracks, even when harsh, are a fundamental aspect of rap battles, and taking legal action sets a concerning precedent. Additionally, the internet viewed the lawsuit as an attempt to suppress artistic expression. UMG defended its actions by stating that distributing Kendrick Lamar’s music is part of supporting an artist’s creative freedom. They argued that Drake’s lawsuit seeks to “weaponize” the legal process to silence an artist’s creative expression.
“Once upon a time, all of us was in chains / Homie still doubled down callin’ us some slaves / Atlanta was the Mecca, buildin’ railroads and trains / Bear with me for a second, let me put y’all on game / The settlers was usin’ townfolk to make ’em richer / Fast-forward, 2024, you got the same agenda / You run to Atlanta when you need a check balance / Let me break it down for you, this the real n**** challenge / You called Future when you didn’t see the club (Ayy, what?) / Lil Baby helped you get your lingo up (What?) / 21 gave you false street cred / Thug made you feel like you a slime in your head (Ayy, what?) / Quavo said you can be from Northside (What?) / 2 Chainz say you good, but he lied / You run to Atlanta when you need a few dollars / No, you not a colleague, you a f**kin’ colonizer.”
Kendrick Lamar
Kendrick’s response certainly came in the form of actions not words as he won five Grammy Awards, including Record of the Year and Song of the Year for Not Like Us. Then to add salt to the wound, Kendrick Lamar headlined the ‘Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show’ on February 9, 2025, at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans. His performance attracted 133.5 million viewers, surpassing Michael Jackson’s 1993 record to become the most-watched halftime show in history, a crushing blow to Drake fans.
Surprisingly, Kendrick performed the ‘Not Like Us’ during Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show and if that wasn’t shocking enough, the performance featured a guest appearance from tennis legend Serena Williams, who joined Lamar on stage. Williams performed a dance routine during ‘Not Like Us’, revisiting a move she had previously showcased during her 2012 Olympic gold medal victory.
We’ll provide some background for anyone who are unaware of how brutal Kendrick Lamar’s planning is; Serena Williams and Drake were rumoured to have a brief romantic relationship around 2015, but things seemingly soured between them over time. Reports suggested that Drake was interested in Serena, often attending her matches and showing public support. However, their relationship reportedly fizzled out, and Serena eventually married Alexis Ohanian, the co-founder of Reddit, in 2017. Some fans speculated that Drake may have felt some type of way about her moving on, especially since he has a history of referencing past relationships in his music.
Tension between them became more evident when Drake appeared to take a shot at Serena and her husband in his 2022 song ‘Middle of the Ocean’. In the track, he rapped,
“Sidebar, Serena, your husband a groupie.”
Drake
This lyric implied that Ohanian was overly supportive of Serena in a way that Drake found excessive or embarrassing. Ohanian later responded by embracing the label, calling himself the best “groupie” for his wife and their family. Serena, on the other hand, has largely remained unbothered by the situation, focusing on her career and personal life rather than engaging with the drama.
In Conclusion, Does Drake Deserve The Hate?
Drake definitely receives a lot of criticism, but it’s worth considering why he gets so much hate, and it often boils down to a few key points.
First, his success is undeniable. He’s been one of the most prominent figures in music for over a decade, and with that comes a lot of attention, both positive and negative. A lot of the backlash against him stems from what’s often called “success fatigue.” People tend to get tired of hearing the same artist over and over again, especially when their presence on the charts feels like it dominates all the time. When you’re constantly being played on the radio and topping the charts, it can be overwhelming, and some may feel like it’s hard to escape his influence, leading to resentment, even if it’s unjustified.
Another factor is that Drake’s versatility and genre-crossing style have made him a polarising figure. He doesn’t just stick to one sound—he blends rap, R&B, dancehall, and even some pop elements. This broad appeal can sometimes make him feel less “authentic” or “genuine” to certain listeners who prefer a more niche or consistent sound from artists. Some people might feel like he’s capitalising on different trends just to stay relevant, which can make them resent his omnipresence.
“I like Drake with the melodies, I don’t like Drake when he act tough.”
Kendrick Lamar
However, in defence of Drake, there has to be understanding on his major contributions. He’s been instrumental in popularising certain sounds and introducing new styles of rap that blend melody with traditional bars. His influence on the sound of mainstream music is huge, and artists carry elements of Drake’s formula and his ability to stay relevant year after year is a testament to his adaptability and talent, which deserves respect.
Moreover, Drake is not just an artist; he’s a cultural figure who has also helped shape the conversations around modern masculinity in hip hop as he has allowed others to express vulnerability and emotion in their music. His transparency about relationships, mental health, and personal struggles has made him relatable to many.
In summary, Drake may receive hate because of his popularity in the rap industry, the fact that many are growing tired of hearing him, or the way they view his achievements. Another big reason for the hate is that critics and some fans believe Drake has changed over the years and many aren’t as touched by his albums in recent years.
