Lupe Fiasco is weighing in on the Kendrick Lamar and Drake beef. His take may shock some in the Hip-Hop community.
Appearing in a Spaces conversation, Lupe stated that he thinks Drake is a better rapper than K. Dot.
“Drake got bars,” Lupe said. “So I would give it to Drake. I think Kendrick’s a better technically skilled performer but I don’t think he’s a better rapper.”
Lupe Fiasco tells Ae Verb that Kendrick Lamar ain’t dangerous as a lyricist. He also say that Drake is a better rapper than Kendrick. Full audio below pic.twitter.com/uoS1Uto7cU
Lupe Fiasco has never been afraid to share his opinion. The Chicago emcee has plenty of hot takes, and he delivers them the same passion as the rhymes on his albums. His latest take, however, may baffle the same genre purists who hold him to such a high standard. During a recent chat with Ae Verb, the “Paris, Tokyo” writer declared that Drake was a better rapper than his Big Three nemesis, Kendrick Lamar. He also claimed that Lamar is not as “dangerous” as his reputation suggests.
The clip currently circulating online starts with Ae Verb asking whether Lupe Fiasco preferred Drake or Kendrick Lamar. Lupe did not hesitate in naming the 6 God, and his reasoning was simple: he has bars. “You know I ain’t capping when I say that,” he added. “I would give it to Drake. I think Kendrick’s a better technically skilled performer but I don’t think he’s a better rapper.” The conversation shifted to Lamar, at which point Lupe asserted that the Compton superstar was slightly overrated when it came to his battle credentials. “So you ain’t never heard Kendrick and felt like he was one of the most dangerous rapper?”, Ae Verb asked. Lupe’s response was swift: “No.”
Lupe Fiasco tells Ae Verb that Kendrick Lamar ain’t dangerous as a lyricist. He also say that Drake is a better rapper than Kendrick. Full audio below pic.twitter.com/uoS1Uto7cU
Lupe Fiasco has had quite a bit to say about Kendrick Lamar as of late. When their 2018 feud resurfaced in the wake of the Drake and K. Dot disses, Lupe made it very clear that he did not bend the knee to the younger artist. “I wasn’t apologizing to him lol,” he wrote in a since-deleted tweet. “I was sorry about the entire shindig because it was such a waste of time and energy… Keep my name clean. I fear no rapper of any kind or on anytime… K Dot solid but y’all need to chill.”
Lupe kept the aggression intact for his recent Coachella appearance. In the middle of his set, he called out every other rapper in the game and vowed to “smoke” them if they wanted beef. “I don’t give a f**k how many records you sold,” he promised the crowd. “If you want smoke, I swear on my muthaf**kin soul I will walk through n***as. I will chew n***as up. I will body muthaf**kas.”
Diss tracks have been leaking left and right. An unfinished version of Drake’s single “Push Ups” leaked hours before the official version on April 13. A few hours later, Rick Ross’ diss, “Champagne Moments,” was previewed on a DJ Akademiks live stream. The trend continued on Monday, April 15, as a leaked snippet of a Kendrick Lamar diss surfaced. The leak was only a minute and a half long, and a certain Aubrey Drake Graham was not impressed with what he heard.
The leak was met with skepticism, as many theorized that the bars on the diss were not up to Lamar’s standard, and therefore generated by AI. Some, however, pushed against this notion and put forth the idea that Lamar’s response was simply bad. OVO Hush was one of these people. OVO Hush, a trusted member of Drake’s camp, posted the alleged Lamar diss on Instagram and a brutal comment. “When you find out this is real,” he warned. “Don’t forget how trash it was as an AI.” Drake then commented on Hush’s post with a single crying emoji. Check out the DJ Akademiks screenshot below.
Despite widespread attempts to determine the authenticity of the leak, there remains no clear answer. OVO Hush suggests that fans got to hear the first part of an otherwise underwhelming (and real) diss. The same goes for Mal of the New Rory And Mal Podcast, who tweeted: “And that’s definitely not AI.” Others, like Mickey Factz and DJ Dahi, are convinced that the world has not heard a real K. Dot song. Dahi, who has collaborated with Lamar multiple times, went as far as to say that artists need Google authenticators to validate their involvement.
The untitled leak features a booming instrumental and bars aimed at both Drake and J. Cole. Lamar’s flow is less catchy than it was on “Like That,” and the recurring flatline sound integrated into the beat gives the whole song a melodramatic, “I Need A Doctor” by Dr. Dre vibe. Lamar’s camp has not issued any statements regarding the leak. Until they do, fans will have to continue to speculate regarding its authenticity.
Lupe Fiasco is still going strong. The Chicago emcee may be a twenty-year veteran in the rap game, but his skills are sharp as ever. He’s also experiencing a resurgence in popularity, as evidenced by his recent performance at Coachella. Lupe ran through his classic hits, and then paused his set at one point to make a bold announcement. Drake and Kendrick Lamar may be the top of the food chain in terms of relevance, but Lupe asserted that he would demolish any current rapper in a battle.
It gets better. Lupe Fiasco not only promised to demolish any rapper who stepped to him, but made it clear that he wants it to happen. He’s ready for the smoke. “I don’t give a f**k how many records you sold,” he told the Coachella audience. “If you want smoke, I swear on my muthaf**kin soul, I will walk through n***as. I will chew up n***as, I will body muthaf**kas. Lupe then ups the ante by calling out artists like Tyler, The Creator and Bad Bunny. “I don’t care,” he added. “I do this s**t for real.”
It’s not a stretch to connect Lupe’s comments with the Drake vs. Kendrick Lamar beef. Lupe has had heated exchanges with Lamar in the past, and he even tweeted about the Compton rapper on April 8. The competitive streak carried over to X (formerly Twitter), where Lupe quote tweeted his Coachella performance and doubled down on his promise to destroy any and all rappers.
“Had to add my little comment to the current narrative” Lupe wrote. “Folks been sideways on socials and in the media at me all week like I won’t casually rap these boys and girls into the shadow realm. Either spawn in and smoke it up or let me finish watching these cybertruck reviews.”
The cybertruck line is a reference to Lupe Fiasco’s latest single, “LLC.” The Chicago rapper absolutely skates on the track, taking others to task for being being false prophets and mocking those who take his skills for granted. “Hawaiian lectures in Madagascar raps,” he spits. “Should I get the Cybertruck or bring a gas car back?” Only time will tell if there’s a rapper brave enough to give Lupe the beef he wants.
Future and Metro Boomin are still reeling the success of their project We Don’t Trust You, and one song in particular is continuing to make history. The Kendrick Lamar-assisted track “Like That,” earned a number one spot on the Billboard Hot 100 once again. This week marks week three on the chart. Not only have fans been loving the project, but Future and Metro returned with a brand new follow up project just last Friday. “Like That” immediately made waves in the music and hip-hop community. The track’s continued success is further highlighted by its impressive streaming numbers. With 40 million streams in the past week alone, “Like That” maintains its record as the most streamed song in the country. This achievement marks a significant milestone, as it becomes the first song in recent memory to surpass 40 million streams within its first three weeks of release.
Moreover, the song garnered significant attention and stirred headlines with Lamar’s verse on the track. Furthermore, he notably dissed both J. Cole and Drake. This one lyric sparked a handful of reactions and beefs across the hip-hop community. In fact, a lot has transpired over the weekend including an alleged leaked Drake diss response. Rick Ross, who was dissed on the alleged Drake track, took a swift response to it and claimed Drake got a nose job, for example.
Future and Metro’s “Like That” Spends Third Consecutive Week On Charts
ATLANTA, GA – JANUARY 14: (EDITOR NOTE: A lens filter was used in this image.)Future and Metro Boomin perform during Future & Friends “One Big Party Tour” at State Farm Arena on January 14, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia.(photo by Prince Williams/Wireimage)
However, the success of “Like That” goes beyond mere numbers and statistics. At its core, the song serves as a platform for artists to express themselves. Moreover, the impact of “Like That” extends beyond its own merits. It has been sparking discussions across the board. Moreover, J. Cole’s latest offering, “7 Minute Drill,” debuted at an impressive No. 6 on the Hot 100 charts. This was a direct response to Lamar’s apparent disses directed at himself and Drake in “Like That.” He apologized for it, however.
Moreover, it’s clear to see that there’s a lot going on in the rap community right now. As “Like That” continues to dominate the charts, it serves as a testament to the power of collaboration and creativity in the music industry. In the weeks to come, it remains to be seen if “Like That” will maintain its spot on the Billboard Hot 100. For now, fans are awaiting responses from hip-hop heavywaits to see if the beef can be settled or not. Regardless of its future trajectory, one thing remains certain: Future, Metro Boomin, and Kendrick Lamar’s “Like That” has made it’s mark.
Kevin Durant is not shy about sharing his opinions. For example, he recently shut down Fat Joe for claiming he almost got jumped after his iconic Rucker Park performance. Durant is preparing to take on the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round of the NBA playoffs. But that doesn’t mean he is not plugged into what everybody is so hyped about on social media: the Drake and Kendrick Lamar feud that has the game in a chokehold right now.
The former NBA MVP is one of the best hoopers of his generation and a big hip-hop fan. The biggest story in hip-hop is the mega beef between Drake and Kendrick Lamar and everyone connected to both artists. Kevin Durant is one to get into debates and let his takes fly on social media, so it’s not a surprise he is weighing in. So, who is Kevin Durant throwing his support behind? As the feud between Kendrick Lamar and Drake intensifies, fans are taking sides, and KD has planted his flag.
Kevin Durant has sided with Drake, posting Drake’s Certified Lover Boy album cover on his Instagram. Specifically, KD posted Drakes’s song “No Friends In The Industry” for some extra context on where he stands. The two go way back, with numerous NBA courtside moments documented between them. Many fans’ major problem with Durant is that they believe he lacks loyalty, leaving teams for better situations. This move is a loyal one, and it’s pretty bold after the weekend when Drake took some massive shots.
Kevin Durant has never really been a big K-Dot fan. He left Kendrick Lamar’s Mr. Morale and The Big Steppers off his list of five best albums of 2022. Furthermore, Kevin Durant has always been a Drake guy, dating back to his Oklahoma City days. This hip-hop feud has people from all corners of every industry weighing in on what has been supremely entertaining as a spectacle. Hopefully, the NBA playoffs can provide some drama of this level on the court. The Durants-Suns will take on Anthony Edwards and the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round, and the talking has already started. There is a high probability of some fiery NBA feuds in the coming weeks.
Every week, Billboard unveils the top 10 songs on the latest Hot 100 chart. The most recent rankings, for the chart dated April 20, are out now, so let’s run down who had this week’s biggest hits.
10. Noah Kahan — “Stick Season”
Kahan’s hit just had one of its best weeks, returning to the top 10 and matching its previous peak at No. 10.
9. Future, Metro Boomin, Travis Scott, and Playboi Carti — “Type Sh*t”
Future and Metro have been dominating the music landscape lately, and their Travis and Carti collab is one of their two top-10 songs this week.
8. Ariana Grande — “We Can’t Be Friends (Wait For Your Love)”
Grande’s former No. 1 single still has some life left, jumping up a spot to No. 8 on the latest chart.
7. Jack Harlow — “Lovin On Me”
Speaking of former No. 1 hits, “Lovin On Me” has been in the top 10 for seemingly forever and it doesn’t appear to be in danger of departing the region any time soon.
6. J. Cole — “7 Minute Drill”
J. Cole actually regrets this song, so much so that he took it off of streaming services, but it did well enough to debut at No. 6 on the new Hot 100. As Billboard notes, the song was removed from streaming on April 12, a day after the end of the new chart’s tracking week. So, the song’s removal didn’t have any impact on the its commercial activity during its debut week.
5. Beyoncé — “Texas Hold ‘Em”
Beyoncé’s country favorite had a noteworthy slide this week, falling from No. 2 to No. 5.
4. Teddy Swims — “Lose Control”
“Lose Control” became Swims’ first chart-topper a few weeks ago and it’s still doing well now, hanging onto a top-5 spot at No. 4.
3. Benson Boone — “Beautiful Things”
For the third consecutive week, Boone’s breakout hit has earned the chart’s top Airplay Gainer award, thanks to 57.4 million plays, an increase 14 percent.
2. Hozier — “Too Sweet”
Hozier has returned to “Take Me To Church” territory: His early-career hit previously peaked at No. 2, a feat the “Too Sweet,” his first song to debut in the top 10, has now matched.
1. Future, Metro Boomin, and Kendrick Lamar — “Like That”
For the third consecutive/total week, Future, Metro, and Lamar’s Drake- and J. Cole-dissing hit “Like That” hangs onto the No. 1 spot on the Hot 100. It’s the first song to spend its first three weeks at No. 1 since Miley Cyrus’ “Flowers” was on top for its first six weeks in January and March 2023.
This week’s #Hot100 top 10 (chart dated April 20, 2024).
Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter pushed away J. Cole’s Might Delete Later to hold down another week on top of the Billboard 200. Billboard said the album pulled in 125,000 equivalent album units in the week ending April 11.
Cowboy Carter’s second-week sales total of 125,500 units includes 103,000 SEA units (a 54% decrease, resulting in 132.69 million on-demand official streams of the album’s songs), 20,500 traditional album sales (an 88% decrease), and 2,000 TEA units (a 70% decrease).
Ranked No. 2 on the Billboard 200 chart, J. Cole’s unexpected album “Might Delete Later” debuts with 115,000 equivalent album units. Among these, 105,000 units are from streaming equivalent album (SEA) units, resulting in 137.95 million on-demand official streams of its 12 songs. Album sales contribute 9,000 units, while track equivalent album (TEA) units add 1,000. The album was exclusively accessible for streaming or digital download purchase.
Following up on his statement from the Dreamville Festival, J. Cole has deleted “7 Minute Drill” from the Might Delete Later project.
While the song is gone now, it’s worth noting that “7 Minute Drill” completed a whole week of tracking so it could be included in Billboard stats before being removed. The track’s removal came five days after he said he would erase it.
Live on stage at his Dreamville Festival, a spot where a rapper currently embroiled in beef would get a Summer Jam moment off, Cole dubbed the diss “the lamest shit I did in my fuckin’ life.”
Speaking to the capacity crowd, Cole called Lamar “one of the greatest motherfuckers to ever touch a microphone,” while revealing the diss doesn’t sit right with his spirit.
It went a bit further; Cole said he was moving incorrectly and, “I got my chin out. Take your best shot. I’ma take that shit on the chin,” welcoming any diss that was coming his way.
Additionally, Cole instructed his manager to delete the song from streaming services.
You can hear it all from J. Cole below.
J. Cole apologizes to Kendrick Lamar for dissing him on ‘7 Minute Drill’ at Dreamville Fest…
“How many of y’all think Kendrick Lamar is one of the greatest ever to pick up a mic”
“I haven’t been sleeping right the last few days… Ib, we taking that diss off streaming… pic.twitter.com/gafW1g6Hw9
And just like that, J. Cole’s diss to Kendrick Lamar is gone from streaming. Following up on his statement from the Dreamville Festival, J. Cole has deleted “7 Minute Drill” from the Might Delete Later project.
While the song is gone now, it’s worth noting that “7 Minute Drill” completed a whole week of tracking so it could be included in Billboard stats before being removed. The track’s removal came five days after he said he would erase it.
Live on stage at his Dreamville Festival, a spot where a rapper currently embroiled in beef would get a Summer Jam moment off, Cole dubbed the diss “the lamest shit I did in my fuckin’ life.”
Speaking to the capacity crowd, Cole called Lamar “one of the greatest motherfuckers to ever touch a microphone,” while revealing the diss doesn’t sit right with his spirit.
It went a bit further; Cole said he was moving incorrectly and, “I got my chin out. Take your best shot. I’ma take that shit on the chin,” welcoming any diss that was coming his way.
Additionally, Cole instructed his manager to delete the song from streaming services.
You can hear it all from J. Cole below.
J. Cole apologizes to Kendrick Lamar for dissing him on ‘7 Minute Drill’ at Dreamville Fest…
“How many of y’all think Kendrick Lamar is one of the greatest ever to pick up a mic”
“I haven’t been sleeping right the last few days… Ib, we taking that diss off streaming… pic.twitter.com/gafW1g6Hw9
“Your first shit was classic, your last shit was tragic Your second shit put n-ggas to sleep, but they gassed it Your third shit was massive and that was your prime I was trailin’ right behind and I just now hit mine.”
Cole also evoked some of JAY-Z’s bars to Nas, rapping,”
“I’m hesitant, I love my brother, but I’m not gonna lie I’m powered up for real, that shit would feel like swattin’ a fly Four albums in twelve years, nigga, I can divide Shit, if this is what you want, I’m indulgin’ in violence“
Drake was having a bit of fun with his current beef, highlighting how the numbers aren’t in his favor with disses coming from everywhere.
Hitting Instagram, Drake shared an image of Uma Thurman from Kill Bill with one sword out and aurrounded by many attackers. Seeing the post, Thurman shared an image of the actual yellow suit she wore in the film: She wrote, “@Need this? @Champagnepapi.”
Drake dropped off “Push Ups,” but he says that’s just the tip of the iceberg. In an Instagram conversation with Ernest Baker, Drake says the red button is “not even close” to having been pressed.
It’s officially up. Drake has responded to shots fired at him from all angles with the new diss track “Push Ups.” The single heavily targets Kendrick Lamar following the “Like That” diss verse but also takes aim at Metro Boomin, The Weeknd, Future, Rick Ross, and one that nobody saw coming, Ja Morant.
Throughout “Push Ups,” Drake shades Kendrick Lamar over his size and being an “extortion baby” losing 50% of his income to Top Dawg Entertainment. Additionally, Drake calls out being forced to drop verses for Maroon 5, Taylor Swift, and more.
Drake also addresses bars specifically from “Like That”:
“You won’t ever take no chain off of us How the fuck you big steppin’ with a size seven men’s on?”
and
“Just to have this talk with yo’ ass, I had to hike down Big difference between Mike then and Mike now What the fuck is this, a twenty-V-one, nigga? What’s a prince to a king? He a son, nigga”
From there, Drake turned his attention to The Weeknd:
“Y’all nigga manager was Chubbs lil’ blunt runner Claim the 6ix, and you boys ain’t even come from it And when you boys got rich, you had to run from it Cash blowin’ Abel bread, out here trickin’ (Out here trickin’) Shit we do for bitches he doin’ for niggas”
He swiftly had a bar for Metro: “Metro, shut your ho ass up and make some drums, nigga”
He even got back into the “Officer Ricky” association to RIck Ross, while jabbing Ja Morant:
“Niggas really got me out here talkin’ like I’m 50, ayy Niggas really got me out here rappin’ what I’m livin’ I might take your latest girl and cuff her like I’m Ricky Can’t believe he jumpin’ in, this nigga turnin’ fifty Every song that made it on the chart, he got from Drizzy Spend that lil’ check you got and stay up out my business Worry ’bout whatever goin’ on with you and (Uh) Ayy, shoutout to the hooper that be bustin’ out the griddy We know why you mad, nigga, I ain’t even trippin’ All that lil’ heartbroken Twitter shit for bitches”
pic.twitter.com/uoS1Uto7cU
