Yes. Drake and Kendrick Lamar have been involved in a high-profile, long-running rap rivalry that escalated into a series of diss tracks in 2024. Their conflict grew from years of competitive lyrics and public tension into direct accusations traded in songs; some claims remain disputed and should not be treated as established fact.
How the rivalry began
The disagreement became visible in 2013, when Kendrick appeared on Big Sean’s song “Control.” In his verse, he named Drake and several other prominent rappers, saying he wanted to outdo them competitively. Kendrick later characterized the verse as a challenge to the rap scene, not a personal declaration of hatred. Drake nonetheless took it as a competitive provocation and responded in interviews and music.
In 2015, Drake released “Energy,” whose lyrics and video were widely understood as aimed at Kendrick, though the song did not name him. Kendrick’s “The Heart Part 4” in 2017 included lines many listeners interpreted as directed at Drake. The two also exchanged indirect references across later releases. For years, the rivalry was present but intermittent: neither artist maintained a continuous series of direct attacks, and both continued to enjoy major commercial success.
The 2023 spark and the 2024 escalation
A sharper public exchange began with “First Person Shooter,” Drake and J. Cole’s 2023 collaboration. Cole referred to himself, Drake, and Kendrick as the “big three” of contemporary rap. Kendrick rejected that framing on Future and Metro Boomin’s “Like That,” released in March 2024. He asserted his own position and challenged the idea that the three belonged together as a settled ranking.
J. Cole answered with “7 Minute Drill” in April, but soon apologized for releasing it and removed it from streaming services. Drake did not withdraw from the exchange. The dispute then accelerated into a succession of records, with each artist responding to the other in short order.
- Drake released “Push Ups,” a direct attack on Kendrick and other rivals, followed by “Taylor Made Freestyle.” The latter used AI-generated vocal imitations of Tupac Shakur and Snoop Dogg; Tupac’s estate objected, and Drake took the track down.
- Kendrick answered with “Euphoria,” then “6:16 in LA,” which suggested that someone in Drake’s circle was feeding him information.
- Drake released “Family Matters,” accusing Kendrick of serious personal misconduct, including abuse. Kendrick denied the allegations in his response, and the claims were not independently established by the songs.
- Kendrick released “Meet the Grahams” shortly afterward, addressing members of Drake’s family and making allegations about Drake, including a claim that he had a hidden daughter. Drake denied that claim in “The Heart Part 6.” No reliable public evidence established it.
- Kendrick’s “Not Like Us” became the most commercially prominent track of the exchange. Drake responded with “The Heart Part 6,” and Kendrick later released “6:16 in LA” officially and performed “Not Like Us” repeatedly at his June 2024 concert in Inglewood, California.
What the songs were arguing about
At its simplest, the battle was a contest over status: who had the stronger claim to being a leading rapper, and whose music and public image could withstand attack. Kendrick challenged Drake’s authenticity and character, while Drake criticized Kendrick’s personal life, credibility, and family circumstances. Both also used the genre’s familiar devices—wordplay, provocation, personal insults, and claims that the other person was concealing information.
That distinction matters because diss tracks are not neutral reporting. They are competitive performances, and the most serious allegations made in them were not proven merely by appearing in a song. Listeners can assess the lyrics, delivery, and musical impact without assuming that every accusation is true.
Why Not Like Us became central
“Not Like Us” stood out for its club-ready production, repeated refrain, and direct, memorable attacks. It quickly became a major hit and a defining moment in the battle. Kendrick performed it multiple times during “The Pop Out: Ken & Friends,” a concert held in Inglewood on June 19, 2024. Drake’s legal representatives later filed petitions in New York and Texas seeking information related to the song’s promotion and distribution. Those filings were not a court ruling that the song’s claims were true or false.
The track also generated a legal dispute over its artwork. In 2025, Drake sued Universal Music Group, the record company that releases music by both artists, alleging that the company promoted a song containing defamatory claims about him. UMG denied the allegations and sought dismissal. A lawsuit is an allegation, not a finding of liability; the legal questions are separate from whether listeners consider the diss track persuasive.
What is confirmed—and what is not
The release dates, lyrics, public responses, and existence of the legal filings are documented. The personal allegations exchanged in the songs are a different matter. Drake denied Kendrick’s claims, including the allegation about a hidden daughter; Kendrick denied Drake’s accusations of abuse. Neither a lyric nor a viral interpretation proves those claims.
It is also misleading to describe the dispute as a single argument with one objectively measurable winner. Fans and critics judge it by different criteria: lyrical writing, musical quality, cultural reach, chart performance, or the effect on each artist’s reputation. “Not Like Us” had a particularly visible commercial and cultural impact, but that does not settle every factual or artistic question raised by the feud.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Drake and Kendrick Lamar still beefing?
Their 2024 exchange has not continued as a comparable run of released diss tracks. The dispute has remained in public discussion, including through legal proceedings, but that is different from an ongoing musical back-and-forth.
What started the Drake and Kendrick beef?
Kendrick’s 2013 verse on “Control” openly challenged a number of leading rappers, including Drake. Their rivalry developed through later indirect lyrical references and became more explicit after Kendrick rejected the “big three” framing on “Like That” in 2024.
What was Drake’s response to Not Like Us?
Drake answered with “The Heart Part 6,” which rejected Kendrick’s claims and accused Kendrick of being misled. He also later pursued legal action against UMG over the song’s promotion and alleged defamatory content.
Did Drake really have a secret daughter?
Kendrick alleged this in “Meet the Grahams,” but Drake denied it in “The Heart Part 6.” The claim has not been reliably established by public evidence, so it should not be presented as fact.
Who won the beef?
There is no official winner. Many listeners point to “Not Like Us” as the battle’s biggest hit and cultural moment, while judgments about the lyrical exchange and its consequences differ.
Related
- Where to Watch Tokyo Ghoul: Streaming and Buying Options
- South Park Seasons: Episode Guide and Viewing Order
- The Twilight Zone Seasons: Original Series and Reboots
How pages are sourced and corrected: Sources and editorial policy.