In 2011, Kendrick Lamar released his debut studio album, “Section 80,” which sold only 5,000 copies in the first week. It did gain very positive reviews from critics and fans alike. Also, Kendrick was praised for giving the world a new sound and a different way of storytelling. This debut cemented his place as a rising talent in hip-hop, even though it never became a commercial success.
By that time, Drake was already huge in the game. He saw something special about Kendrick and decided to lend a hand. In 2012, he invited Kendrick as an opener on his Club Paradise Tour. This was huge for Kendrick, moving from performances before a crowd of 500 people to rocking stages with 15,000 fans!
Before Drake took Kendrick on the Club Paradise Tour in 2012, his first studio album Section 80 did 5k first week.
Kendrick went from crowds of 500 to his first nationwide tour with crowds of 15k. His next album did 242k first week. PIC.TWITTER.COM/WQCYEKNFR1
— Akademiks TV (@AkademiksTV) JULY 5, 2024
He didn’t stop there. Drake bragged about Kendrick’s music, introducing him to his numerous fan base. It would be as if Drake said, “Hey, you all! Check out this awesome new artist!”
It was all this help from Drake that paid out big time in the heavens. Kendrick’s next album, “Good Kid, m. A.D. City“, was to hit the shelves in October 2012. The album shot up to number two on the Billboard 200 as well as sold 242,000 copies in just one week. Kendrick had officially arrived!
Now, you might wonder why Drake would help a potential rival. Well, by supporting new talent like Kendrick, Drake showed he had his finger on the pulse of hip-hop. It made him look good and kept him connected to what was fresh and new in music.
Plus, working with rising stars opened doors for exciting collaborations and joint projects. It was a win-win situation.
Now, here’s the exciting part. In 2013, Kendrick dropped this verse on Big Sean’s song “Control, which sent the rap world into a fit. He was naming names—among them Drake—and saying he was the best out of all those guys.
From this moment on, the world began to notice digs at each other within their songs and interviews. It was like musical chess—each trying to outsmart one another.
Fast-forward to 2024; the rivalry didn’t slow down a bit. The feud reignited in March 2024 after the release of “Like That” by Future, Metro Boomin, and Kendrick Lamar, which contained veiled shots at Drake. Drake quickly responded with “Taylor Made Freestyle” on April 24, 2024, intensifying the conflict. The back-and-forth continued with multiple diss tracks from both artists, each escalating the tension further.
Throughout April and May 2024, both artists released a total of nine diss tracks aimed at each other, including notable ones like Kendrick Lamar’s “The Heart Part 6” and Drake’s “Not Like Us” . These tracks were filled with sharp lyrics and personal jabs, touching on various sensitive topics and making bold accusations. The feud also included public disses, such as Kendrick’s jab at Drake during a Juneteenth concert, keeping fans and the media highly engaged.
The Big Picture
Now, thinking back to it, Drake played a massive part in Kendrick’s growth. He gave him a large platform to look out—for and also a different audience to introduce himself to. This move is also not so bad on Drake’s part, as he was on his way to get etched as something of a hip-hop tastemaker.
In that way, when Kendrick blew up, so did the tension between them. It’s become one of hip-hop’s most talked-about feuds, keeping fans guessing and debating for years. In the end, this shows how Drake and Kendrick’s story might get very complicated when one is talking about a relationship in the music world. Mentor turned rival; it has given us some of the best music and most intriguing drama in recent hip-hop history. And who knows? The next chapter in this ongoing saga could drop any day now, so stay tuned!
