Kendrick Lamar vs Drake and J.Cole beef explained

The “diss” between Kendrick Lamar, Drake, and J.Cole is a nuanced aspect of hip-hop culture that has fascinated fans and sparked debates for years. While it’s crucial to understand that the dynamics of rap beefs can be multifaceted and often extend beyond mere lyrical jabs, let’s look into the context surrounding the “Like that” track from the “We Don’t Trust You” album and the drama it caused for everyone involved.

Kendrick Lamar broke the internet with a feature on Future and Metro Booming`s ‘We Don`t Trust You album’ when he allegedly aimed shots at Drake and J. Cole hereby starting a civil war. The song debuted at number 1 on the billboard Hot 100 and is Kendrick`s first number 1 hit in the 2020s. 

‘LIKE THAT’ was streamed over 49 million times in its first week on Spotify becoming the second biggest debut for a rap song ever. At the beginning of the verse, he took a jab at Drake, saying,

“D-O-T the money power respect, the last one is better. Say it’s a lot of goofies with a check.”

He’s implying that while some rappers may have money and power, they lack the respect he commands. Next, Kendrick takes the first of many shots aimed at Drake and Cole’s First Person Shooter 

“Niggas clicking up but cannot be legit, no 40 water.”

He’s criticizing Drake and Cole for forming a clique, questioning their authenticity. Additionally, he’s paying homage to the rappers and cousins B-legit and E-40, who are part of a group called “The Click,” through wordplay.

After the release of ‘Like That,’ fans urged Drake and J. Cole to respond. Subsequently, J. Cole dropped “7-minute Drill,” the final song on his project “Might Delete Later,” which he claims is just the beginning of what he could do to Kendrick if pushed 

“Shit, if this is what you want, I’m indulging in violence.”

Cole incorporates lyrics from his mentor JAY-Z’s famous Nas diss track “Takeover” and throws shade on the consistency and quality of Kendrick’s discography. This marks the second time Cole has used the 12th and final track of a project as a diss response, the first being “1985” on his 2018 project “KOD.”

Not even 48 hours after the song’s release, Cole would publicly apologize for the track and insist on removing it from streaming platforms during his performance at Dreamville Fest 2024 on April 7th:

I moved in a way that I spiritually feel bad on. I tried to jab my nigga back and keep it friendly, but at the end of the day, when I listen to it and when I see the talk, that shit don’t sit right with me with my spirit. That shit disrupts my fucking peace. So what I want to say right here tonight, is that in the midst of me doing that – trying to find a little angle and downplay this nigga’s catalog and greatness – how many people here think Kendrick Lamar is one of the greatest motherfuckers to ever touch the fucking microphone? […] I ain’t gonna lie to y’all, [the] past two days felt terrible, like, it let me know how good I been sleeping these past ten years […] We taking that song off of fucking streaming services, nigga.

It’s essential to recognize that while rap beefs can generate excitement and entertainment for fans, they also have the potential to escalate into real animosity and conflict. Ultimately, each of these artists (Kendrick Lamar, Drake, and J.Cole) has carved out their own lane in the industry, and while friendly competition can push them to greater heights creatively, it’s important to maintain respect and perspective amid the hype.

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