The ongoing feud between hip-hop titans Drake and Kendrick Lamar has reached new heights, with both artists releasing a series of diss tracks aimed at each other. The latest development in this saga involves Kendrick Lamar’s reaction to Drake’s track “Family Matters,” as revealed by fellow rapper Problem.
In a recent interview with Bootleg Kev, Problem shared an inside look at how Lamar responded to Drake’s “Family Matters.” According to Problem, the Compton rapper was more than ready to retaliate. “Drake dropped ‘Family Matters’ and I texted Kendrick like, ‘This ain’t it. Man, it’s time to step on his head.’ He was like, ‘Say less,'” Problem recounted.
Problem continued, explaining that he didn’t expect Lamar to act so quickly. “I’m thinking it ain’t nothing deep like that. I go to the bathroom. I come back. The muthaf-cking song is uploaded! I said ‘Wait, wait, wait!'” The song in question was “Meet The Grahams,” a scathing response to Drake’s diss track.
Problem added, “I text him like, ‘N-gga, you already dropped?!’ He’s like, ‘I’ve been waiting for this n-gga to drop something.’ [Drake] didn’t even know what he was going to get. Man, Drake shot a video and all this sh-t. Sometimes you just gotta know what to do and what not to do.”
Reports suggest that Kendrick Lamar had prerecorded several tracks and was waiting in the studio to fine-tune each one before releasing them. This level of preparation indicates that Lamar was not only ready for Drake’s diss but was also eager to respond swiftly and effectively.
The feud between Drake and Kendrick Lamar has been simmering for years, but it has recently reignited with a series of diss tracks from both sides. Lamar’s “Not Like Us,” which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, is his latest salvo in this ongoing battle. The track marks Lamar’s fourth Hot 100 No. 1, while his song “Euphoria” climbed from No. 11 to No. 3 on the same chart. On the other hand, Drake’s “Family Matters” debuted at No. 7, marking his 78th song to enter the top 10 on the Hot 100 chart, a record-breaking achievement.
The feud has also spilled over into the 2024 BET Awards, where both artists are nominated for best male hip-hop artist and best collaboration. Drake is nominated for “Rich Baby Daddy” with SZA and Sexyy Red, while Lamar is nominated for his guest verse on the remix of Beyoncé’s “America Has a Problem.” The competition between the two is set to be one of the highlights of the awards show.
Drake and Kendrick Lamar’s rivalry dates back to 2013 when Lamar called out Drake and other rappers by name in his verse on Big Sean’s “Control.” Since then, the two have exchanged numerous diss tracks, with each trying to outdo the other. Despite their past collaborations and once-friendly relationship, the feud has only intensified over the years.
Drake’s “Family Matters” is a direct response to Lamar’s “6:16 in LA,” which itself was a follow-up to Lamar’s “Euphoria.” In “Family Matters,” Drake takes aim at Lamar’s personal life, including his relationship with fiancée Whitney Alford. The nearly eight-minute track also features a music video that shows New Ho King Chinese restaurant, which Kendrick referenced in “Euphoria.”
Lamar’s “Meet The Grahams” didn’t hold back either. The 6 1/2-minute track accuses Drake of being a deadbeat dad and hiding another child. Lamar also takes shots at Drake’s family, alleged alcohol abuse, gambling addiction, and cosmetic surgery. “Get some discipline, don’t cut them corners like your daddy did. F— what Ozempic did. Don’t pay to play with them Brazilians, get a gym membership,” Lamar raps.
The rapid-fire exchange of diss tracks has kept fans on the edge of their seats, eagerly awaiting the next move from each artist. With both Drake and Kendrick Lamar showing no signs of backing down, the feud is likely to continue, providing plenty of material for hip-hop enthusiasts to dissect and debate.
As the 2024 BET Awards approach, all eyes will be on Drake and Kendrick Lamar to see who comes out on top. Whether through their music or their award wins, the rivalry between these two hip-hop giants is far from over.
