Pusha T

Pusha T Essential Songs

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With his sharp and unashamed look at street life, Pusha T, born Terrence Thornton, has left an unforgettable legacy in hip hop. From his earlier days as half of Clipse up to his celebrated solo career, Pusha T provides a guide on how to tell stories through music. He is the epitome of authentic rap. For those who have been following his journey and are interested in knowing more about him, these are the five most essential songs that best portray what Pusha T is all about.

Further, he has maintained a remarkable industry identity over time by being flexible but still sticking to his true self. Pusha T’s path represents both himself and the broader story of street life, showing its complexities, struggles, and glory. These tracks offer insight into Pusha T’s life, illustrating how much he has grown as an artist.

1. Grindin’ (With Clipse) (2002)

Pusha T and Malice, known together as Clipse, shot to the upper echelons of hip-hop stardom with their hit single “Grindin’.” Coming out in 2002, this breakout song from their first album, entitled Lord Willin’, became a classic thanks to its unmistakable beat. The song’s stripped-down production by The Neptunes perfectly complements Pusha T’s grimy rhymes about the daily hustle.

“Grindin’” also had an instant impact that was felt across the board, and it only served to cement Clipse’s position within rap. Pusha T’s bold delivery, along with his ability to tell stories, connected powerfully with his listeners. To date, this remains one of his trademark songs. It captures who he was when he just started out rapping, telling us more about how talented he is lyrically speaking.

2. “Numbers On The Boards” (2013)

In his debut album, My Name Is My Name, Pusha T demonstrated through the track “Numbers on the Boards” that he is a highly skilled solo rap artist. The 2013 song served as an introductory single for My Name Is My Name. To be more precise, it was marked by an unconventional rhythm and a very simple approach to the production. This was also represented a perfect background for Pusha T’s clever wordplay.

Here, Pusha T showed more of his potential as a solo artist amidst a crowded field. He rapped confidently, which signaled his preparedness to face adversities in the music industry without assistance from anyone else. Fans still love “Numbers on the Boards” because it shows what Pusha T intended to achieve with his art while also showcasing how good he is lyrically, even though you cannot see him.

3. “Nosetalgia” (With Kendrick Lamar) (2013)

Pusha T’s and Kendrick Lamar’s “Nosetalgia” is an autobiographical jam that takes minds deep into the recesses of their souls. It was released in 2013 as a part of My Name Is My Name, with both artists taking turns to describe what they went through on the streets during childhood. The verses from Pusha T have an unfiltered quality that stands out against the equally graphical narration from Lamar.

Moreover, Push and Lamar’s collaboration on “Nosetalgia” demonstrates the meaning of being a lyricist who paints vivid pictures. Both rappers’ experiences interweave this track, providing a thought-provoking piece that touches people’s hearts. With songs like this, Pusha T has proved his skill at telling excellent stories in music. It further makes him one of hip-hop’s most respected rappers.

4. “If You Know You Know” (2018)

“If You Know You Know” opens Pusha T’s 2018 album DAYTONA with a bold declaration of self-assurance. Kanye West’s minimalist production provides a stark yet powerful backdrop for Pusha T’s incisive lyrics. This track also sets the tone for the rest of the album, showcasing his ability to deliver concise, impactful storytelling with every bar.

The song quickly became a fan favorite, celebrated for its clever wordplay and unapologetic swagger. “If You Know You Know” encapsulates Pusha T’s mastery of his craft, reaffirming his status as one of hip hop’s elite. This track is a powerful introduction to DAYTONA, highlighting Pusha T’s lyrical dexterity and unwavering self-belief.

5. “The Story Of Adidon” (2018)

“The Story of Adidon” is one of the most talked-about tracks in Pusha T’s career. It was aimed squarely at his long-time rival, Drake. Released in 2018, this diss track features Pusha T delivering unflinching lyrics that delve into Drake’s personal life and career. The song’s impact was immediate and widespread, reigniting their feud and capturing hip-hop’s attention.

The intensity and boldness of “The Story of Adidon” highlight Pusha T’s fearless approach to his craft. The track’s confrontation and unfiltered bars demonstrate his willingness to tackle controversial subjects head-on. This song remains significant in Pusha T’s discography, showcasing his lyrical prowess and uncompromising attitude.

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Pusha T Named House Ambassador for Louis Vuitton

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Pusha T Named House Ambassador for Louis Vuitton

Louis Vuitton has named rapper Pusha T its latest house ambassador, showcasing Pharrell Williams’ knack for merging fashion and pop culture. Pusha T, renowned for his work with Clipse, has long been linked to Williams, who produced several tracks on his latest album, It’s Almost Dry. The relationship dates back to the Clipse’s debut album, Lord Willin’.

Pharrell Williams, the creative director of menswear at Vuitton since last year, continues to bring high-profile figures to the French fashion house. Pusha T, born Terrence LeVarr Thornton, and his brother No Malice were featured in Williams’ first show on the Pont Neuf bridge in Paris last June. This appointment highlights the deep-rooted relationship between the two Virginia Beach natives, cementing Pusha T’s influence in the fashion world.

It won’t be long before you hear new Pusha T music again. Speaking with Complex, King Push revealed he has been working on music in Paris.

Journalist Jordan Rose asked Push about the status of his Gangsta Grillz project and more. King Push gave insight into his creative process.

“I will say, there’s been a lot of work happening in Paris here lately, and it ain’t just fashion,” Push said. “People have been seeing the Clipse and seeing myself walking fashion shows and I’ve been in Paris a lot here lately. But it ain’t been all fashion. I will say that much.

“And shout out to DJ Drama. When it comes to the DJ Drama brand and Gangsta Grillz and how he feeds the streets, and what I do lyrically, bringing that together, we can hit any bar set.”

He later gave a timeline regarding solo Push or a return of Clipse: “I would 100% bet that you’re going to get new music from one of those entities that you just named. It’s going to be a win-win situation.”

You can read the full story here.

The post Pusha T Named House Ambassador for Louis Vuitton first appeared on The Source.

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Pusha T Teases Features On New Clipse Album After Listening Party

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Clipse are back. The Virginia duo haven’t dropped since 2009, but they have confirmed their plans to reunite with producer Pharrell Williams on their fourth studio album. Considering how good their stuff is when Pharrell is behind the boards, fans are in for a classic. The promo for the album definitely makes it seem that way. Clipse and Pharrell hosted a listening party for new album in Paris on June 20. Feedback was glowing, but it was Pusha T’s comments afterwards that got fans more excited.

The listening party revealed crucial details about the album. The album is reportedly 90% done, and rappers who have been confirmed to appear on the tracklist include Nas, John Legend, and Stove God Cooks. The revelations, didn’t stop there, though. Pusha quoted a tweet about the listening party, and wrote: “Plus a couple more features…” with an upside down smiley face emoji. The notion of a stacked feature list on a Clipse album is novel, given the tracklist for their first two releases. The guest verses were mainly handled by Re-Up Gang. Til the Casket Drops, their third album, had more star power to offer, but it’s also considered Clipse’s weakest. It also featured the least Pharrell production.

Read More: Pusha T Breaks His Silence On Being Namedropped By Kendrick Lamar On “Euphoria”

Clipse Promise To Drop Their Most “Mature” Album Yet

All the pieces are in play for the new album to work. Pusha T and Nas have never officially been on the same song. Nas was supposed to be on Push’s 2022 album It’s Almost Dry, but it never came together. “Nas was gonna be on my last verse of ‘Hear Me Clearly,’” he told Spotify. “I don’t know, man. It pisses me off. It was my biggest regret for the album.” Stove God Cooks has never worked with Pusha T either, though it’s easy to see, lyrically and stylistically, how they would mesh. If anything, John Legend is the head-scratcher of an inclusion. Legend’s image seems to clash with Clipse’s, but if anybody can make their incongruous sounds work, it’s Pharrell.

Pusha T and No Malice are confident the new album will be their most mature yet. The latter said as much during a recent profile with Vulture. “I think the album shows the supreme maturation of a rap duo,” he posited. “I think this is where you get the difference between taste and filler. This music is curated. This is a high taste-level piece of work. You can only have that level of taste when you have the fundamentals down to a science.” No Malice concurs. “This is what the true evolution of the Clipse looks like,” he concluded.

Read More: Clipse Clears Up Rumors That They Have Beef With Justin Timberlake

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Clipse Clears Up Rumors That They Have Beef With Justin Timberlake

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Clipse and Justin Timberlake have been linked for over two decades. The rap duo and the pop star both scored breakout hits with the Neptunes, and owe a great deal of their success to Pharrell Williams. Clipse and JT even worked together on the 2002 single “Like I Love You.” Both parties have had issues over the years, with Clipse breaking up and Timberlake becoming something of a pop culture pariah. The latter is currently being roasted by the internet over his recent drunk driving arrest. Despite the anti-Timberlake sentiment that’s taken root, however, Clipse maintain that they have nothing against the pop star.

Clipse, comprised of brothers Pusha T and No Malice, are back in the news. They’ve announced their first new song since 2009. They’ve also confirmed that their upcoming album will be entirely produced by Pharrell. Clipse and Justin Timberlake used to be on the same record label in the 2000s, but things became complicated when Pharrell and JT stopped working together. Pusha T claimed that Clipse and Pharrell-affiliated artists were shelved by the aforementioned label, Jive. This resulted in a four year gap between Clipse’s first and second albums. Pusha made it very clear, however, that he does not hold JT responsible. The rapper told TMZ that their issues were with Jive and not Timberlake. It was an “overall label thing,” he was quoted as saying. “[Not] a Justin thing.”

Read More: Clipse’s “Hell Hath No Fury” Turns 17

Clipse Claim They Never Had Issues With JT

Clipse
NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 04: (L-R) Pusha T and Malice of The Clipse perform during the CMJ Music Fest at The Knitting Factory November 4, 2006 in New York City. (Photo by Roger Kisby/Getty Images for CMJ)

This isn’t the first time Clipse members have discussed their relationship with Timberlake. The duo was asked their feelings on the “Sexyback” singer during a recent Vulture profile, and their story remained the same. “We never had a problem with Justin,” Pusha assured the interviewer. The rapper then noted the ways in which Jive Records made it difficult for them to succeed. The solo star explained how Jive frequently complained about the perceived one-dimensionality of Clipse’s music. “We went through all the ‘cocaine rap’ complaints,” he recalled. You get tired of it. Then you realize the people who only look at it that way aren’t even listening to the music correctly. You can’t even take their opinion as anything.”

Pusha T loves to beef, so it’s easy to take the rapper at his word when he says he’s cool with Justin Timberlake. Pusha is probably best known for bombing on Drake with 2018’s “The Story of Adidon,” which regained relevance in the wake of the Drake vs. Kendrick Lamar battle. The rapper didn’t play a role in the battle, but he admitted that he was impressed by Lamar’s rapping. “Euphoria” stood out to him, in particular. “Incredible, incredible display,” he told Vulture. “Incredible display of battle raps.”

Read More: Pusha T Shows Off His New Jay-Z Inspired Chain

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Clipse Reveal That Their Upcoming Album Will Be Produced By Pharrell

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In an exclusive interview with Vulture, Pusha T and No Malice (Clipse) announced that their new album will be entirely produced by Pharrell. This one heck of bombshell, as the Virginia-based duo are making their return after 15 long years. In 2009 we got Til The Casket Drops, which had eight songs featuring Pharrell production. So, it is great to hear that even after all of this time, the band is still getting back together. We do not much else about the record, as Pusha T and No Malice kept the details to a minimum. The important thing is we know we are getting a Clipse record soon, which will be one of high quality they promise.

“I think this is where you get the difference between taste and filler. This music is curated. This is a high taste-level piece of work. You can only have that level of taste when you have the fundamentals down to a science. I think it’s been definitely missing”, Push told Vulture. Malice doubled down on that take, affirming, “This is smart basketball. It’s fundamentals”.

Read More: 50 Cent Uses Eminem As An Example While Explaining The True Power Of Friendship

Clipse Are Curating A “High Taste-Level” Album Along With Pharrell

“And not only that, it’s authenticity. It’s what rap should look like if you’re real about your craft, real about your experience, real about your storytelling. It’s bringing the fans along to see the growth, not trying to fit in or fabricate”, Malice added. If this is out of the blue news to you, there was some hope that a Clipse album could be a possibility. King Push did tell Complex that fans could “100% bet” on either getting a solo album from him or a reuniting effort. Additionally, the duo premiered an unreleased collab with John Legend at a Louis Vuitton show in Paris.

What are your thoughts on the next Clipse record being produced by Pharell? Will this be one of the best rap albums of the year, why or why not? Do you think this could be their strongest LP in their discography? When do you see them dropping this? We would like to hear what you have to say, so leave your thoughts in the comments. Additionally, always keep it locked in with HNHH for all of the latest news surrounding Clipse and Pharrell. Finally, stay with us for everything else going on in the music world.

Read More: Conor McGregor Refutes Chael Sonnen’s Salacious Rehab Claims

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Pusha T And No Malice Are Making A New Clipse Album That’s Entirely Produced By Pharrell

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Pharrell Williams Pusha T TV One Urban One Honors at The Eastern 2022
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The Neptunes (Pharrell and Chad Hugo) are a major part of the Clipse (Pusha T and No Malice) story: The production duo has been at the helm of all four Clipse albums, including their latest, 2009’s Til The Casket Drops. Now, Clipse is readying their first album in 15 years, and the whole thing is produced by Pharrell.

In a new Vulture interview, Pusha T said, “Pharrell producing everything is also an ode to the type of music and the type of albums we want to make. We still want to make full bodies of work. These are movies, man. These aren’t just songs. This isn’t just a collection of joints we went in and banged out.”

He also noted that he and No Malice didn’t work with Pharrell’s Neptunes partner Chad Hugo on the project.

Elsewhere, Pusha said about the album, “I think the album shows the supreme maturation of a rap duo. I think this is where you get the difference between taste and filler. This music is curated. This is a high taste-level piece of work. You can only have that level of taste when you have the fundamentals down to a science. I think it’s been definitely missing. Then there’s the competitive aspect.”

No Malice added, “This is smart basketball. It’s fundamentals. And not only that, it’s authenticity. It’s what rap should look like if you’re real about your craft, real about your experience, real about your storytelling. It’s bringing the fans along to see the growth, not trying to fit in or fabricate. It just seems like in other genres of music, they have the luxury of growing. For some reason, we act like we’re not supposed to evolve. This is what the true evolution of the Clipse looks like. It’s just good to be able to show that and still have high-level raps.”

Check out the full interview here.

Pharrell Seemingly Disses Drake On New Single “Double Life”

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Pharrell and Drake have always had a contentious relationship. Pharrell is best friends with Pusha T, the man who obliterated Drake’s public profile in 2018. The issues between Skateboard P and the 6 God was always unspoken, though. The two of them even collaborated on the remix to “Lemon” in 2017. Then the beef with Kendrick Lamar happened, and everything changed. K. Dot claimed to inherit the beef from P, and Drake taunted the Compton rapper by telling him to get Pharrell’s jewelry out of his house. It was all very messy. Many assumed Pharrell would keep quiet on the matter, but he might have just responded.

Pharrell dropped a new single on June 14 titled “Double Life.” The song is part of the Despicable Me 4 soundtrack, which is a franchise that helped the artist land the number one single “Happy.” It may sound wild, the notion of a rap diss being snuck into the soundtrack for a kid’s movie, but it seems like that is what P chose to do here. “Double Life” contains bars that appear to be specifically aimed at Drake and his, well, double life. “Lie detector time,” he raps. “Hey, what are you hiding?” Pharrell doubles down on this mysterious target with the lines: “Nothing wrong being private… Make sure it ain’t wrong.”

Read More: NAV Teases New Pharrell Collaboration After Beefing With Drake

Pharrell Targets A Rapper Who’s “Hiding” Things

It’s worth noting that Pharrell is one of the most positive and optimistic voices in hip-hop. He’s always preaching kindness to fellow artists. He’s the guy who made “Happy,” like we said. The thing is, Drake has been sniping at him for a long time. The 6 God threw shots at Pharrell on the 2023 Travis Scott hit “Meltdown.” P is the only artist mentioned in “Family Matters” who didn’t directly diss Drake beforehand. It wouldn’t be absurd to assume Skateboard P decided to crack the seal on negativity for Drake’s sake. Most of the hip-hop did it in 2024 (and it’s June).

Pharrell is also the guy who rapped on and produced “Mr. Me Too” for Clipse. “Mr. Me Too” is diss for Drake’s mentor, Lil Wayne. P and Clipse felt like Weezy was copying their fashion sensibility, so they made a whole song mocking him. In this sense, Pharrell dissing Drake is a long time coming. We don’t have confirmation that Drizzy is the target of Pharrell’s Despicable Me 4 single, but it’s not hard to believe.

Read More: Kendrick Lamar & Pharrell Link In The Studio In Resurfaced Clip, Fans Relate It To Drake Beef

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Pusha T Cops New ‘The Anchor’ Chain Inspired by JAY-Z

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Pusha-T Claims 'They Won't Publish' a Children's Book He's Been Trying To Write For Years

Pusha T is saluting Hov with his new chain. Copping a new pendant from Saint Jewels, King Push has a new anchor around his neck.

“The Anchor inspired by the culture, art, and history,” Saint Jewels shared on Instagram. “Made for @kingpush Pavé diamonds on solid white gold accented by a bronze rope, reverse set diamond end points. Multifaceted classic briolette cut diamonds handle the steering wheel.”

Pusha T added his own note:

The post Pusha T Cops New ‘The Anchor’ Chain Inspired by JAY-Z first appeared on The Source.

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Pusha T Celebrates The 6th Anniversary Of His Classic Album “DAYTONA”

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Pusha T is not one to “reminisce”, but he is doing just that by celebrating the sixth anniversary of DAYTONA. The third solo album for the Virginia Beach, Virginia native, it was also the first of five projects to be executively produced by the one and only Kanye West. It was a legendary summer for hip-hop heads in 2018, as Ye went on to release ye, NASIR, KIDS SEE GHOSTS, as well as K.T.S.E. Out of all of those releases you could make the argument for DAYTONA being the strongest of the bunch. The record began with perhaps one of the best and most memorable intros “If You Know You Know.”

It is a masterclass in coke rap, with King Push talking about the treacherous life of a drug dealer. Then, you have one of the nastiest boom-bap beats and sample flips on “The Games We Play.” Even though Push’s rapping performances were stellar across the board, the production from Kanye really helps sell each track. The middle of the tracklist is fantastic too, but of course no one can forget “Infared.”

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Pusha T Fondly Remembers DAYTONA

“The game’s f***ed up / N****s’ beats is bangin’, n****, ya hooks did it / The lyric pennin’ equal the Trumps winnin’ / The bigger question is how the Russians did it / It was written like Nas, but it came from Quentin.” These fighting words restarted the beef between him and Drake, prompting him to respond with “Duppy Freestyle.” Of course, it then led to “The Story of Adidon,” which revealed that Drizzy was hiding his now-known son, Adonis. DAYTONA is certainly “the gift that keeps on giving.”

What are your thoughts on Pusha T remembering DAYTONA on its six-year anniversary? Do you still have this project in rotation, why or why not? If so, which songs do you revisit the most? Is this Push’s best album to date? Do you need a new album from him this year? We would like to hear what you have to say, so be sure to leave your takes in the comments section. Additionally, always keep it locked in with HNHH for all of the latest news surrounding Pusha T. Finally, stay with us for everything else going on in the music world.

Read More: DJ Akademiks Blasts Biased Drake & Kendrick Lamar Fans, Sends NBA YoungBoy His Prayers

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Does Drake Have A Daughter? Unpacking Kendrick Lamar’s “Meet The Grahams” Allegation

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The heavyweight championship of hip-hop witnessed a fiery brawl erupt earlier this year. The long-simmering tension between Drake and Kendrick Lamar finally boiled over, spilling into a lyrical warzone with diss tracks aimed squarely at each other. Kendrick’s “Meet the Grahams” wasn’t a playful jab; it was a full-fledged missile aimed at Drake’s personal life and carefully crafted image. The line that sent shockwaves through the hip-hop world? “Dear baby girl / I’m sorry that your father not active inside your world.” This cryptic verse insinuated a bombshell – that Drake allegedly has a hidden daughter he’s completely neglecting.

It was a calculated move, reminiscent of Pusha T’s brutal takedown in “The Story of Adidon,” where he exposed Drake’s then-secret son, Adonis. But Kendrick didn’t stop there. “Meet the Grahams” transformed into a full-on family roast. Kendrick addressed Drake’s entire family in a mock letter format.  He offered “advice” to Adonis, questioned the parenting of Drake’s mother and father, and finally confronted Drake himself, declaring this a “long life battle with yourself” rather than just a rap battle.

Drake and Kendrick’s war of words has generated so much buzz within hip-hop. However, just like “The Story of Adidon” before it, “Meet the Grahams” brings Drake’s reputation into question. Is the 6 God hiding another child from the world? What was his reaction to K. Dot’s lyrical jab? What does the future hold after Kendrick’s lyrical inquest? Let’s unpack “Meet the Grahams” and get answers to some nagging questions.

Drake’s Response To Daughter Questions

Drake is never one to shy away from a fight. After K. Dot’s “Meet the Grahams” made the airwaves, he took to his Instagram story with a sarcastic rebuttal. Drake wrote, “Naahhh hold on can someone find my hidden daughter pls and send her to me… these guys are in shambles.”  However, this playful denial only fueled the fire. Did Drake have a daughter he was hiding from the world? The internet detectives went into overdrive. A seemingly innocuous tweet from Drake in 2012 that read “Baby girl” was unearthed, leading to speculation that it was a reference to this alleged daughter. However, fans pointed out that the tweet’s date coincided with the anniversary of Aaliyah’s death, and “Baby Girl” was a common nickname for the late singer.

As the drama unfolded, Drake upped the ante. In his response track, “Heart Part 6,” he mocked Kendrick for believing a “fake mole” who fabricated the daughter story. He even playfully challenged DJ Akademiks on his podcast, claiming he would quit rapping and work for him if someone could produce proof of this hidden child. The truth, as it often does in hip-hop feuds, remains shrouded in mystery. There’s no concrete evidence to support Kendrick’s claim, but the damage might already be done. By planting the seed of doubt, Kendrick successfully tarnished Drake’s image as a responsible father, a narrative solidified by Pusha T’s earlier diss track. 

Beyond The Beef: The Art Of The Diss Track

Diss tracks are a cornerstone of hip-hop culture. They are lyrical battlegrounds where rappers trade barbs, expose each other’s vulnerabilities, and leave the audience gasping for air. “Meet the Grahams” is a prime example of this art form, pushing the boundaries by aiming for deeper emotional blows. Kendrick’s accusation, true or not, struck at the core of Drake’s carefully constructed public persona. In the diss track arena, truth takes a backseat to impact. Kendrick landed a potent punch, forcing Drake to defend himself and potentially leaving a lasting mark on his reputation.

One thing’s undeniable: by raising questions about the possibility of Drake having a daughter, Kendrick Lamar’s “Meet the Grahams” ignited a firestorm of conversation. It’s exposed a potential vulnerability in Drake’s public image and reignited the age-old question of responsibility within hip-hop. And in the cutthroat world of rap battles, that’s a victory in itself.

So, What Next?

So far, the ongoing feud between Drake and Kendrick has produced many great moments. As the beef continues to heat up the rap scene, fans can only beg for more. The two heavyweight rappers continue to have a go at each other, throwing jabs upon jabs. Fans should expect more allegations and counter-allegations from Drake and Kendrick. Like the Drake daughter issue, it may be hard to tell if their claims are true or not. However, fans don’t mind doing the digging while their faves do the spitting.

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