Drake has stirred the pot once again in his ongoing feud with Kendrick Lamar. This time, it’s not with lyrics but with a model. The latest face of Drake’s OVO clothing brand, Braedyn Ferguson, resembles Kendrick Lamar’s fiancée, Whitney Alford. Fans quickly noticed the likeness when OVO’s new collection photos surfaced on Instagram, and the internet went wild with speculation.
Drake’s OVO’ new model is going viral for looking like Kendrick Lamar’s fiancée 👀 PIC.TWITTER.COM/VWHHHQKW09
— My Mixtapez (@mymixtapez) JULY 11, 2024
This week, things got real when the official Instagram account for OVO posted a few photos promoting their women’s clothing. The casual wear included an easy, plain white tank top—more colloquially known as a “wife beater.” But it wasn’t the clothes that made everyone have so much to say; it was the model, who looks uncannily like Kendrick Lamar’s fiancée, Whitney Alford. The resemblance was so uncanny that it left fans pondering whether this was merely a coincidence or just a cheap shot at Kendrick.
Drake is taking a subtle jab at Kendrick, adding another layer to their long-standing rivalry. Their tension isn’t new news by any stretch. This beef has been riddled with diss tracks and public digs where personal jabs were thrown in both directions. Drake made some allegations earlier about Kendrick and Whitney’s relationship, even accusing Kendrick of domestic violence. In return, Kendrick featured Whitney and their children in the video for “Not Like Us,” wearing the face of a united, happy family.
While it may be provocative that Braedyn Ferguson is the new OVO model, it’s also quite indicative of Drake being a carelessly careful and strategic creative. OVO, short for October’s Very Own, is a streetwear and luxury apparel line, characterized by its signature owl logo and minimalist, high-end designs
Drake‘s move to feature Ferguson might be perceived as a marketing brilliancy, in keeping with the running narrative, to keep OVO relevant. The similarity to Whitney Alford keeps people talking, therefore keeping the brand relevant and interesting.
Whitney Alford has been Kendrick Lamar’s partner since high school. They got engaged in 2015 and have two children. Whitney is supportive, a businesswoman, and the co-founder of a clothing line called Soulful. With Kendrick being a superstar, Whitney managed to keep a low profile, focusing much on family matters and the business.
Fans of both artists highly anticipate Kendrick’s response, if any. This keeps the music industry abuzz and ensures that Drake and Kendrick are always leading the rap game.
OVO stands for much more than a clothing brand; it represents and embodies a way of life—a community created by Drake in 2012. This brand presently does way more than music, signing other artists to make them famous worldwide—for example, PartyNextDoor, Majid Jordan, and DVSN. Another treat that came with this was the annual OVO Fest, featuring huge artists such as Kanye West, Eminem, and The Weeknd.
These high-profile collaborations or limited product release affairs keep the brand at an elite level. The personal style of Drake and a more macro view into the OVO Sound movement are also so intrinsically linked to the brand’s identity that it has become a cultural phenomenon in and of itself.
Drake’s choice of Braedyn Ferguson as the new OVO model means way more than just a real fashion statement. It is, therefore, most strategically aimed at keeping the limelight beamed on his ongoing beef with Kendrick Lamar. Whether interpreted as a subtle jab or purely coincidence, that will keep OVO relevant and interesting.
