The people have been waiting. A couple weeks ago, Drake decided to diss Kendrick Lamar with “First Person Shooter,” and onlookers have been anticipating how Lamar would fire back. Finally, Lamar did today (April 30) with “Euphoria,” in which he goes all out on Drake for six minutes.
There’s so much about this song to dissect, but there’s one lyric fans have been looking at that prompts the following question:
Was Kendrick Lamar Supposed To Be On Drake And J. Cole’s “First Person Shooter?”
“Euphoria” certainly has some believing that’s the case. On the track, Lamar raps:
“I hate the way that you walk, the way that you talk
I hate the way that you dress
Surprised you wanted that feature request
You know that we got some sh*t to address.”
This comes after earlier this month, Joe Budden indicated that he heard Lamar was originally supposed to be on the song.
Meanwhile, the song is full of other barbs, including, “You not a rap artist, you a scam artist with the hopes of bеing accepted / Tommy Hilfiger stood out, but FUBU nеver had been your collection,” and, “My first one like my last one: it’s a classic, you don’t have one / Let your core audience stomach that; didn’t tell ’em where you get your abs from.” Uproxx’s Aaron Williams breaks down some of the best ones here.
Today, Kendrick Lamar escalated his rap war with Drake in a huge way, launching an intercontinental ballistic missile with “Euphoria,” his response to Drake’s paired sallies, “Push-Ups” and “Taylor Made Freestyle.” After Kendrick initially threw down the gauntlet with his verse on Future and Metro Boomin’s We Don’t Trust You track “Like That,” fans were disappointed that it took him so long to clap back at Drake, especially after Drake made the critical error of employing AI reproductions of West Coast icons Snoop Dogg and Tupac Shakur on his latter response to “Like That.”
But any lingering disappointment was blown away — along with all expectations of plausible deniability — when Kendrick dropped “Euphoria,” the most scathing anti-Drake track from one of the Canadian competitor’s foes since “The Story Of Adidon.” In fact, that dust-up is one of the many points of contention Kendrick addresses in “Euphoria,” sneering, “F*ck all that pushin’ P, let me see you push-a-T / You better off spinnin’ again on him, you think about pushin’ me / He’s Terrance Thornton, I’m Terrance Crawford, I’m whoopin’ feet.” And that’s just one of the many, many haymakers Kendrick unloads on his opponent. Here are the 10 best lines from Kendrick’s latest Drake diss and what we think they mean.
“Cole and Aubrey know I’m a selfish n***; the crown is heavy / I pray they my real friends, if not, I’m YNW Melly”
Gifford, Florida rapper YNW Melly is currently on trial for allegedly plotting the murder of two members of his rap crew, YNW Sakchaser and YNW Juvy, and staging the scene to look like the result of a drive-by by rivals. K. Dot likens himself to Melly and Drake and J. Cole to Melly’s victims, pointing out how they couldn’t have been friends if Melly actually did set them up. In the same way, Kendrick doesn’t see Drake or Cole as friends in the rap business, only rivals.
“I hate the way that you walk, the way that you talk, I hate the way that you dress / I hate the way you sneak diss, if I catch flight, it’s gon’ be direct”
Self-explanatory, but it’s rare you see rappers state their emotions so plainly in rap battles. Kendrick doesn’t dress it up in any fancy metaphors, he just tells it like it is (although, on a personal note, I feel like if he REALLY didn’t like him this much, just fight it out. Let’s get all the way negative, as Vince Staples would say).
“My first one like my last one: it’s a classic, you don’t have one / Let your core audience stomach that; didn’t tell ’em where you get your abs from”
In “Push-Ups,” Drake taunts Kendrick over the lukewarm reception of his 2022 album Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers. “Your last one bricked, you really not on sh*t,” he mocked. “They make excuses for you ’cause they hate to see me lit.” Here, Kendrick stands up for his misunderstood album, and in a bit of a non-sequitur, redirects attention to the longstanding rumor that Drake got liposuction in order to cut a more impressive figure.
“Surprised you wanted that feature request / You know that we got some shit to address”
Not much of a diss, but more of a surprising reveal, this line dishes some behind-the-scenes dirt: That despite the tension between the two rappers, Drake still wants to work with Kendrick, who would rather air out dirty laundry than collaborate with Drake again. According to some internet rumors, the song K. Dot turned down? “First Person Shooter,” on which Drake allegedly began the latest round of “sneak-dissing.”
“When I see you stand by Sexyy Red, I believe you see two bad bitches / I believe you don’t like women, that’s real competition, you might pop ass with ’em”
On a personal level, I have to say, I’m disappointed. Rap’s love for casual misogyny rears its ugly head yet again. Kendrick isn’t quite as evolved as he made out on his last album, and yet, there’s something to the idea that Drake engages in just as much misogyny as any rapper, he just dresses it up in “nice guy” rhetoric.
“Let’s speak on percentage, show me your splits, I make sure I double back with you / You was signed to a n**** that’s signed to a n**** that said he was signed to that n****”
Here’s some inside baseball, but also a deft reminder that those who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones. When Drake baited Kendrick over his recording contract on “Push-Ups” (“The way you doin’ splits, bitch, your pants might rip”), he conveniently overlooked how bad his own first deal was. Now that Drake’s licensing his publishing to Republic, he’s in a better position, but it wasn’t too long ago he was in the same corner as a lot of rappers (and doing very little to improve conditions overall in the music biz).
“Why would I call around tryna get dirt on n****s? Y’all think all of my life is rap? / That’s ho sh*t, I got a son to raise, but I can see you know nothin’ ’bout that”
Another callback to “The Story Of Adidon,” Kendrick reminds listeners and Drake that rap gossip doesn’t dominate his waking hours — and that Drake had to be “bullied into being a father” (not to be a wet blanket, but I also hate this narrative for a lot of reasons, not the least of which is that all this started on a record from Future, of all people).
“Am I battlin’ ghosts or AI? N**** feelin’ like Joel Osteen / Funny, he was in a film called AI and my sixth sense tellin’ me to off him”
Off the wordplay alone, this might be the best bar in the whole damn song, although Kendrick accidentally (?) pulls a Mrs. Howard from Abbott Elementary (and like Sheryl Lee Ralph’s iconic character, we all know what he means). For all you kids whose birth year starts with a “2,” Haley Joel Osment (the person he meant to reference, not mega-church televangelist Joel Osteen) was a child actor best known for two roles: The Sixth Sense and AI: Artificial Intelligence. In the first, he played a traumatized child who could “see dead people” and in the latter, he portrayed an abandoned android hoping to become a real boy a la Pinocchio.
Kendrick name-checks Osment to take another dig at Drake for using an AI Tupac voice on “Taylor Made,” and the perceived disrespect of using a deceased rap legend to make his point for him using technology — i.e. “ghost or AI.” Dot’s play on “sixth sense” ties the metaphor together but also underscores his natural instinct for battle.
“Whoever that’s f*ckin’ with him, f*ck you n****s, and f*ck the industry too / If you takin’ it there, I’m takin’ it further; psst, that’s somethin’ that you don’t wanna do”
Kendrick ends with a familiar refrain, calling back to his longstanding distaste for industry politics and cold regard for fame. However, he also ends on a warning to Drake — his reprisal could well be even more vicious and revelatory if Drake decides to continue the game.
The wait is over. Kendrick Lamar finally claps back at Drake with “Euphoria,” the latest volley in the rap titans’ ongoing back-and-forth. Listen to it above.
Hip-hop fans have been having a field day with the ongoing feud between Drake and seemingly the entire rap world. Including Kendrick Lamar, ASAP Rocky, and more, the war was prompted by Metro Boomin and Future’s two collaborative albums, We Don’t Trust You, and We Still Don’t Trust You. And just like in Drake’s feud with Pusha T some years back, his fans have come to his defense at his rivals’ live shows.
In a video going viral on social media, Metro overhears a fan yelling out lyrics from “Push-Ups,” the diss track Drake dropped in response to the producer’s provocations. The fan shouted the line, “Metro, shut your ho ass up and play some drums,” between songs, to which the producer replied, “I heard that.” The fan can be seen jumping up and down in celebration:
It’s not the first time Metro has been trolled by the “Push-Ups” line. Shortly after releasing the song, Drake hired a drumline to play outside famed Atlanta club Magic City, sending a video of them playing to Metro via his (public) Instagram Story.
Metro is going to have plenty of time to work on his responses to future incidents, as he and Future are gearing up to go on their We Trust You tour beginning in July.
Clashes between artists and public figures are nothing new in hip-hop. But as often seen, when two distinct voices in the genre find themselves at odds, the results can be explosive. Such is the case with the ongoing feud between Charleston White and Boosie Badazz. This beef, which has left many perplexed, is still very much alive. However, through a wider lens, it’s pretty evident that White’s the one with a bone to pick. Boosie, on the other hand, continues to hold back, citing a return to prison as the reason. Let’s delve into the timeline of this contentious relationship between Charleston White and Boosie Badazz.
The roots of the Charleston White and Boosie beef can be traced back to 2022. Boosie famously spoke out against Kanye West’s “White Lives Matter” shirt, claiming that Ye was disrespectful towards Black people. At the time, the general public agreed with Boosie’s comments. However, Charleston White expressed his disapproval on social media regarding Boosie’s remarks about Kanye.
In a long post, Charleston White also brought up Boosie’s 19-year-old son, Tootie Raww, along with T.I.’s 18-year-old son, King Harris. “I hate you, Boosie, and I don’t like your lil’ ugly-ass son neither, lil’ Tootie Raww,” he began. “He’s going to jail. Yeah, that lil’ boy going to jail. His lil’ bitch-ass going to jail. Lil’ Tootie Raww thinks he’s tougher than a motherfucker… Boosie, your boy don’t know how to fight. Neither do that lil’ T.I. lil’ yellow motherfucker.”
Soon after, during an interview with Tony The Closer, Boosie responded to White’s comments about his son. Choosing his words wisely, he stated: “I ain’t really got no opinion, because you know my opinion can send me to prison. Once you go to threaten people kids? I ain’t the one gonna do all that. Certain people, you can’t really express opinions on him.”
March 2023: Charleston White Has Boosie’s Son Arrested
The feud between Charleston White and Boosie Badazz reached a new level when White publicly criticized T.I.’s Paperwork Party event at the rapper’s Trap City Café. White, who had been driving by, trolled the event and threatened to mace T.I. Following this incident, Boosie’s son, Tootie, allegedly messaged White and insulted him. “Look bruh, shut your old, messy *ss up. You too old for that shit. Your *ss need to go get in the f**kin’ bed, you bitch. Stop speaking on us, you mothaf**ka. I hope you fuckin’ die.”
Matching his energy, and going a bit further, White responded with: “I hope your daddy die, n**ga, from that diabetes, I hope China don’t send the insulin over here one month. I hope your daddy die, n***a. His organs weaker than mine with that diabetes.”
Later that month, Tootie was arrested by the police after he was found with drugs and guns. He spent a day in jail before being bailed out by T.I.’s son, King. Charleston White jumped on Instagram Live and confessed to reporting Tootie to the police. “I’m the one who had the police lock him up,” he said. “I sent his picture to the Department of Public Safety of the Texas state trooper. I said, ‘Y’all be on the lookout for these boys they gonna have drugs and guns.’ So, they was on the lookout for Tootie. His dad is a six-time convicted murderer who uses children to kill people. So, they had they eyes wide open for that little Black ass motherf**ker.”
In June, Boosie was also arrested by federal agents. This was following his court appearance in San Diego, for his local gun case which had previously been dismissed. After his arrest, Charleston White took to Instagram Live and went on an extensive tirade, laughing at Boosie’s legal woes and suggesting he got what he asked for. “Now, God done also gave you what you asked for,” he said. “You want to be a hero to the streets? You want to be a hero to the ghetto? So, God needs a Daniel. And who better to play Daniel than you? Remember, Daniel had to go in the lions’ den and show everybody that God is real and he don’t get ate up by the lions. God done chose you to play Daniel for us, Boosie.”
December 2023: Boosie’s Response
Months after his arrest, Boosie Badazz made an appearance on VladTV, where he spoke up about White. He also revealed that he had asked VladTv not to interview White because of all the comments he had made about Tootie. Once again, Boosie claimed he was not scared of White, but was refraining from addressing him so he would stay out of jail. “I can’t take a chance of getting involved with that. I seen him on some shit, he gonna call somebody… I’m trying to stay free, man.”
March 2024: The Adin Ross Debacle
So after talking to Boosie, here’s the whole story behind the Adin Ross & Boosie canceled livestream. Adin personally reached out to Boosie and agreed to pay him to be on his stream. 2 hours before they were about to start, Adin’s assistant called Boosie and changed the terms…
Kicking off the month of March, DJ Vlad and Adin Ross somehow managed to find themselves entangled in the Charleston White vs. Boosie situation. Ross was originally supposed to welcome Boosie on his platform. However, the rapper was uninterested in partaking in a stream alongside Charleston White, and refused to take the bait. Soon after, Ross allegedly twisted the narrative and claimed that he turned down Boosie’s offer to appear on the stream, citing his loyalty to White as his reason.
Before it was revealed that Ross reportedly manipulated the story, DJ Vlad didn’t take the news of Ross turning Boosie down well. In fact, Vlad spoke out against Ross, calling him out on his bias, despite White’s previous comments about him, as well as Jewish people as a whole. “So @adinross, who is Jewish, canceled his livestream with @BOOSIEOFFICIAL because of his loyalty to Charleston White,” he began. “This is after Charleston White said he loves Hitler and the Holocaust was fake. Adin is lame as f-ck for this. F-ck Adin Ross.”
Charleston White is calling the police on Boosie for threatening a promoter in Baton Rouge that booked him for a comedy show! pic.twitter.com/zIPOXFtqd8
Still in March, Charleston White came for Boosie once again. White claimed that Boosie allegedly warned a club promoter not to book him, insinuating that dire consequences would follow for both the promoter and White. However, while White had no evidence to prove the interaction, he still threatened to call the FBI on Boosie and get him sent to jail. “I’ve already contacted law enforcement concerning these possible threats against my life. Boosie, I’ma put your muthafuckin ass in jail, nigga. You making threats to the promotor? I got a recorded phone conversation with witnesses on the phone saying the promotor is scared for his life that he got to live in Baton Rouge, that Boosie gon’ send them people to get you. You finna go to jail. You gon’ be on your knees. Them knees gon’ be bleeding again, diabetic freak.” Boosie is yet to make a response to White’s claims.
It’s been over a month since arguably the most popular beef in the current Hip Hop landscape started. On March 22, Kendrick Lamar shook things up when he took shots at Drake and J. Cole on Future and Metro Boomin’s “Like That.” Since then, many other artists have had their go at Drizzy. But Drake’s more than held his own, firing back some shots of his own.
On April 15, a supposed diss track from Lamar was leaked onto the internet. However, soon after, an artist named Sy the Rapper claimed that he made the track using AI. While many listeners still doubt his claim because of how authentic the track sounds, he has stood by his claim. As expected, the drama surrounding the AI track has made many listeners curious about who Sy the Rapper is. Here’s what we know about him right now.
Before he allegedly released the infamous diss track, Sy the Rapper was largely unknown in mainstream circles. As a result, not much is known about his background. However, a few publications, including Complex, which recently interviewed him, have revealed that he is 23. During that conversation, Sy also shared that he is from Los Angeles and has always loved music. “I wrote my first rap when I was 10. It was about donuts and Lakers,” he said. He grew up hungry to explore his talent, and it seems it may pay off.
What Does Sy The Rapper Do?
Further, Sy the Rapper may be an artist, but he is also a producer and allegedly made the beat of the viral AI diss track. As seen on his Spotify page, he has been releasing music since 2019. His earliest release on streaming platforms is “Zonin,” which dropped in June 2019.
Since then, he has released several singles, as well as two albums: Abstract (2019) and Sore Winner (2021). The 23-year-old is also quite active on TikTok, where he currently has over 13k followers. On Instagram, he has 33k followers. Per his Instagram bio, he runs @qualityimageproductions and @new_wave_media, secondary accounts where he offers media services. In addition, he also runs @innercitykings_qweens and @dripskoolcustoms, both centered on fashion.
How Sy The Rapper Allegedly Made The Kendrick Lamar Diss Track
Although many still doubt that Sy the Rapper actually made the song, he seems to have evidence supporting his claim. During his interview with Complex, he spoke about the process of making the track, from its lyrics to the beat. “I just had to place myself in Kendrick’s shoes, and it didn’t seem like Kendrick would come out swinging for the kill, considering that the [Drake] song was a ‘leaked’ track,” he said. “So, I was thinking more so in the mindset of, ‘If I’m Kendrick, I wouldn’t want to show my hand too early, since this song has been leaked and it’s not an official drop, so I can’t just come out swinging. I’ve got to come out with sort of a warning shot.’”
When asked about his background in AI, Sy the Rapper said he started researching about it after an AI-generated Drake track went viral in April 2023. According to Sy the Rapper, he was intrigued by this and decided to try it out. “With AI, the entry-level is very simple, and it’s not super complex to use. The complex part comes in how you record because you kind of have to mimic the artist and mimic their voice and cadence,” he said. He also shared that he wrote the track in “an hour or two” and recorded it in his voice memo. As seen in the editor’s note at the end of the interview, Sy the Rapper sent videos of the isolated stems of the song to Complex. This was to serve as proof that he did make the song.
Kanye West’s quickly become a talking point in the last few days after coming for Drake on the blood-pumping “Like That Remix.” The rap icon recently sat with Justin LaBoy for a pumped-up, inaugural episode of The Download. On the show, Ye, in true fashion, let out more than a couple of bombshells. Altogether, the interview was marked by a few outlandish moments and comments that only someone like Ye could be behind.
For example, he tagged Kai Cenat an industry plant for criticizing the sizing of Yeezy’s latest drop but that’s probably the least bizarre Kanye West comment in the entire The Download episode. He also labeled Chris Brown a “God,” insisted homophobic jokes have less impact today, and even declared Michelle Obama as the woman he’d have a threesome with. Overall, the entire episode was Kanye being Kanye, and the following moments are the most noteworthy.
Ye and J. Cole were not necessarily feuding in the past, but it’s pretty obvious that Kanye West isn’t a fan. As soon as Justin LaBoy brought up Cole’s polarizing apology to K. Dot, Ye swiftly interjected. “F*ck all that p*ssy shit!” he said. Considering Ye and Drake’s ongoing beef, it’s clear to see why the former felt that Cole going on tour with Drake was him picking sides.
However, Kanye’s later comments allow us to trace the hostility back to 2016. Specifically, back to Cole’s track “False Prophets,” which is widely believed to be about West and his mental health issues over the years. Some of Ye’s digs at Cole on the episode include: “n*gga you can’t run now,” “you can’t say UP and Cole in the same sentence,” and finally, “I don’t even listen to J. Cole.”
4. Ye’s Favorite Rappers At The Moment
Kanye West also took the time out to share his love for his younger players in the rap game. When asked by Justin LaBoy who his favorite rappers are at the moment, Ye shared that the lineup keeps changing. However, he mentioned that 21 Savage and Kodak Black are doing it for him at the moment. He also mentioned the rising star Young Moose and spoke very highly of Playboi Carti and his career trajectory.
3. Kanye Vs. Drake
Kanye says everybody was “energized” about the “elimination” of Drake when making ‘Like That (Remix)’
“Pluto called me, I went to the studio and laid that. […] Everybody was very, very excited about the elimination of Drake. Not excited — we was energized.” pic.twitter.com/qNecys2Bvy
Scattered through the episode of The Download is Kanye West’s obvious disdain for all things Drake. He spoke about feeling “energized” to eliminate Drake. However, Ye said it was much more than that. “I’m tired of this n*gga fucking with me and all that shit,” he said. “It’s not just about the elimination of Drake, we’re gonna tear the head off whoever they got that they thought was in control.”
2. Ye Debuts The “Like That Remix”
One of the most important moments on Kanye West’s episode of The Download was obviously the premiere of the “Like That Remix.” The track’s opener featured a raging Ye, who declared he was backing Kendrick Lamar up in the ongoing rap beef. “You know we had to get The Hooligans up here / We gone take this p*ssy n*gga out / Yo, Dot, I got you.” As fans continue to clamor for Kendrick’s response to Drake’s disses, Ye is the latest fighter to step into the ring.
Taking the cake of all the interesting Kanye West moments on The Download is the Vultures 2 release date announcement. After the overwhelming success of Vultures 1, Ye teased the second part, and fans have been hoping for the news of the second installment. Finally, Ye has an answer. When asked by Justin LaBoy about when the album would be released, Ye simply replied, “it’s coming out May 3rd.” Evidently, the fans now have something to look forward to.
If you thought Drake and Kanye West had forgotten their long-standing beef, think again. Ye recently came out guns a-blazing with the release of the “Like That Remix,” proving that he and Drizzy have a long way to go before they settle. From the first line of the diss track, it’s evident that Ye has a bone to pick. Alongside Future, Metro Boomin’, and Ty Dolla $ign, this remix borrows many elements from the original track and takes things up a notch. Altogether, 2024 has quickly become the year of the diss track, and the Drake-Kanye West beef is the latest entry in the long lineup.
Kanye West and Drake’s beef stretches back years, and the remix is the most recent milestone. However, while Ye is pretty used to commandeering multiple spats simultaneously, this is seemingly new territory for Drizzy. In what can only be considered a humongous feat, Drake has had words for several heavyweights in the game this year alone. Between Kendrick Lamar, Rick Ross, and now Ye, it’s a miracle he’s still standing.
As Drake continues to prove he’s no pushover, the industry is foaming at the mouth in anticipation of what’s to come. But what’s most remarkable is that two of his diss tracks, “Push Ups” and the controversial, AI-assisted “Taylor Made Freestyle,” are targeted at Kendrick. This is why Ye’s involvement caught us all by surprise. Kanye West debuted the “Like That Remix” during his appearance on The Download with Justin Laboy, and this has effectively added a new layer to his ongoing beef with Drake.
Much to the disappointment of fans, Kendrick Lamar has yet to respond to Drake for the aforementioned diss tracks. Nonetheless, Ye seems to have taken on the task, claiming the baton off K-Dot. It’s no wonder the track begins the way he does. In an aggressive manner, Ye hollers: “You know we had to get The Hooligans up here / We gon’ take this p*ssy n*gga out / Yo, Dot, I got you.”
Right out the gate, Kanye’s made his intentions clear… he’s out for blood. While on The Download, he shared that he was “energized” to take down Drake. “[Future] called me and I went to the studio and laid that,” he began. “We went through the creative process of adding the chords and called the Hooligans out in London to get on the joint… Everybody was very, very energized about the elimination of Drake.”
Multiple Stray Bullets
NEW YORK, NY – JUNE 14: The Weeknd and Howie Richmond Hitmaker Award Honoree. Sir Lucian Grainge pose backstage during the Songwriters Hall of Fame 49th Annual Induction and Awards Dinner at. New York Marriott Marquis Hotel on June 14, 2018, also in New York City. (Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images for Songwriters Hall Of Fame)
In true Ye fashion, shots were fired at not just Drake but those within his proximity. Drake famously resigned with Universal Music Group in 2022, reportedly featuring some serious money being thrown around. UMG’s CEO, Lucian Grainge, was one of the names dropped on the “Like That Remix.” Specifically, Ye referred to him as Drake’s “master.”
“Where’s Lucian? Serve your master, n*gga / You caught a little bag for your masters, didn’t ya / Lifetime deal, I feel bad for n*ggas / Y’all so outta sight, outta mind/ I can’t even think of a Drake line.“
However, the most memorable stray bullet fell on J. Cole, who famously bowed out of the rap feud by apologizing to Kendrick Lamar. Nonetheless, Ye had some words for him. In what has become one of the most viral lines on the track, Kanye says, “Play J. Cole, get the pu**y dry.” The reason for the animosity remains unclear, but fans have long since had their theories about why Kanye West and J. Cole do not see eye to eye.
For one, Ye might not have enjoyed Cole’s “big three” claim. However, Kendrick’s response about “big me” didn’t seem to rub Kanye the wrong way. In 2016, Cole’s “False Prophets” had a few lines that may have subtly pointed to Ye’s mental health issues. Whatever the case may be, Ye told Justin Laboy that it was too late for Cole to back out of the feud. Evidently, the damage is already done. “It’s like, n**ga, you can’t run now,” Ye said.
Conclusion
Kanye West and Drake’s beef has now hit a new peak. It’s anyone’s guess if Ye will double down with another verse soon. Or maybe Drizzy has some words of his own in store. However, at the core of it all is Kendrick Lamar. Above all, the fans are still eager for his return.
It’s been a hell of a time for fans of Hip Hop. The number of diss tracks that have emerged in 2024 has been quite a lot. Not that we’re complaining, though. The shake-up has led to some of the most exciting disses in a while, and we’ve had to grasp every single detail about a ton of rapper feuds. The crazy thing, however, is that they all seem to have broken out all at once within the industry. However, while most of these feuds have been met with praise, Drake’s latest effort, “Taylor Made Freestyle,” hasn’t been warmly received. And this boils down to his use of AI on the track.
The spark that ignited the rap beef was J. Cole’s mention of Kendrick Lamar in “The Big Three” on the track “First Person Shooter.” Kendrick subsequently dropped a surprise verse as a response on Future and Metro Boomin’s “Like That.” J. Cole continued the diss by discrediting Lamar’s discography on “7 Minute Drill.” However, in a surprising feat, he eventually retracted the track from streaming platforms, but what stood out the most was that J. Cole subsequently issued an apology to Lamar.
Not one to let things go, however, Drake released “Push Ups” as his own response. Although “Push Ups” was widely successful, public opinion still remains that Drake lyrically hit the ball out of the park. However, a follow-up diss track was released on April 19th—Drake’s “Taylor Made Freestyle.” But unlike “Push Ups,” this was way more controversial. Why? Because Drake addresses Kendrick Lamar using AI vocals of Hip Hop legends Tupac Shakur and Snoop Dogg.
Unlike Pac, who died in 1996, Snoop Dogg is very much alive to witness Drake’s shenanigans. Snoop seems to have been as shocked by the stunt as everyone else. In a hilarious Instagram post, he expressed his surprise: “They did what? When? How? Are you sure? [Sigh] Y’all have a good night. Why is everybody calling my phone, blowing me up? What the f— what happened? What’s going on? I’m going back to bed. Good night.” It’s safe to say that Snoop wasn’t all about that mess.
“Taylor Made” is certifiably a stellar track, as far as diss tracks go. For one, it is most likely a show-off to the public allegations that “Push Ups” was an AI track. Secondly, and perhaps most interestingly, is how Drake attempts to undermine Kendrick Lamar. Overall, this is a calculated strategy to belittle status as a heavyweight in the game. His use of AI seems to be a conscious effort to draw out a response from K-Dot.
Drake (as Tupac) addresses Kendrick Lamar on “Taylor Made,” saying: “Kendrick we need ya, the West Coast savior / Engraving your name in some hip-hop history… Call him a b*tch for me / Talk about him liking young girls as a gift for me.” While urging him to respond and engrave his name in “some Hip Hop history,” Drake also attempts to poke holes in perhaps all of Kendrick’s likely talking points for a diss track. These include the fact that he is Canadian and light-skinned.
As most are aware, Kendrick Lamar has often been compared to Tupac Shakur. In fact, Kendrick himself has admitted to carrying on Tupac’s legacy. With these (and the following lines), Drake’s Tupac starts to question just how capable Kendrick is of taking on Tupac’s identity, if he can’t even stand the heat of facing him like Tupac did Biggie with “Hit ‘em Up,” one of the greatest diss tracks to ever exist. It’s important to note that Kendrick’s silence hasn’t sat well with fans. Many have clamored for him to issue a response to Drake, not just for “Taylor Made,” but also for “Push Ups.”
Drake Is Ready To Go To Rap War
Following his Tupac stint, Drake switches to Snoop Dogg’s vocals to speak to Lamar. He references Snoop “passing on the torch” to Kendrick Lamar at the House of Blues in 2011. Just like AI Tupac, AI Snoop also seems to also be disappointed in Kendrick’s silence. The elephant in the room is why Kendrick remains quiet after being challenged by someone like Drake. “World is watching this chess game, but oh you out of moves Dot / You know that the OG never f*cking doubted you / But right now it seem like you posted up without a clue / Or what the f*ck you ’bout to do.”
Eventually, Drake finally switches to his own voice. However, he also makes it known that both “Taylor Made” and “Push Ups” were light work for him. He also claims he’s more than capable of going a few more rounds against Kendrick. Finally, he ascribes Kendrick’s silence to Taylor Swift’s new album The Tortured Poets Department, which is sure to top the charts.
“But now we gotta wait a f*cking week ’cause Taylor Swift is your new top (referencing Lamar’s former record label Top Dawg Entertainment) / And if you ’bout to drop, she gotta approve / This girl really ’bout to make you act like you not in a feud.”
Is This A Misguided Effort?
Snoop Dogg and Tupac Shakur (Photo by Kevin Mazur Archive/WireImage)
For all its bravado and swagger, Drake’s “Taylor Made” is not without its pitfalls. By invoking Tupac’s name and legacy, Drake risks inviting comparisons that may ultimately work to Lamar’s advantage. There’s also the fact that AI use is still considered a major taboo in music. Drake lavishly utilizing it can easily be seen as a heavily misguided idea. After all, he is using it without the consent of the people in question. Particularly, one of the artists is dead and cannot speak for themselves. Therefore, it’s quite easy to see why many consider this as Drake crossing a line. Nonetheless, on the flip side, many could argue that there are no rules regarding diss tracks. Take Chris Brown, who recently referenced the passing of Takeoff in his diss track for Quavo.
Also, while it is obviously impressive to use up all the ammo that Kendrick Lamar could use on him, it still is pretty weird to describe himself as “liking younger women.” This attempted 8 Mile move, unfortunately, doesn’t hit quite as hard. While it’s commendable to poke fun at oneself, there’s obviously some things to consider. It’s pretty evident that Drake isn’t interested in that, though.
Conclusion
Altogether, there is no one way to look at Drake’s “Taylor Made” diss track. It is both a divisive and creative moment in the ongoing saga of his rivalry with Kendrick Lamar. Another thing to note is that Drake seeks to be in a hurry to assert his dominance over Lamar. While this works in his favor, as he continues to earn public recognition, many have begun to sense it as a desperate move. Evidently, his campaign to reaffirm his status as king of “the big three” of Hip Hop is still very much alive. Regardless, whether or not he succeeds in this endeavor remains to be seen. One thing is certain: the feud between Drake and Kendrick Lamar shows no signs of abating, and Hip Hop is all the richer for it.
50 Cent is no stranger to rap beefs but his constant trolling often stings more than anything he’s said on wax. Take his beef with Meek Mill for example, where 50 Cent uploaded creative photos on Instagram to troll the Dream Chasers rapper instead of releasing diss tracks. In fact, it’s become a part of his brand now to laugh at whoever he’s publicly squabbling with. Nonetheless, the two made up a few years ago, but some recent Fif trolling might be looking to threaten their peace treaty.
50 Cent has recently been trolling Meek Mill regarding Lil Rod’s lawsuit against Diddy that alleged the Philadelphia rapper had sexual relations with the Bad Boy mogul. And while these allegations have circulated, Fif has warned Meek that he has bigger issues to be worried about, specifically the rumors that Meek might have been caught on tape at Diddy’s homes. Meek seems to be taking the high road, but it may be only a matter of time before he speaks out. Either way, let’s revisit the beef between the two rappers.
A clip of 50 Cent playfully manhandling Tony Yayo, a fellow G-Unit member, started the beef with Meek Mill. Meek was one of many people to comment on the clip. He reposted the video on his Instagram with the caption, “Yayo getting dumped in the bushes by 50,” with multiple crying emojis. This led to 50 Cent leaving a sharp comment saying, “That’s us playing, but you do be around some niggas I would put on their head. No bullshit.”
November 2015: 50 Cent Laughs At Meek Mill Amidst Drake Beef
During one of his concerts in Sweden, 50 Cent decided to bring the smoke. He took shots at other members of Maybach Music Group, amidst his beef with their leader, Rick Ross. Specifically, he praised Drake’s diss track against Meek, “Back To Back.” Furthermore, he compared the two to kids fighting in the schoolyard, saying that Drake “slapped the shit” out of Meek.
Jan 16, 2016: Meek Drops “Gave ‘Em Hope’”
In 2016, Meek Mill released the EP 4/4 which featured the track “Gave ‘Em Hope.” The song included some targeted lines that called out 50 Cent for associating himself with “rats,” possibly referencing a photo of 50 Cent and Rick Ross’ groundskeeper who accused the MMG boss of kidnapping him. Meek Mill also took jabs at 50 Cent for filing for bankruptcy. Finally, he called back to the rumors that 50 Cent was gay.
Shortly after, 50 Cent took to Instagram to share his thoughts on Meek Mill’s song. In true Fif fashion, he clowned the “Gave ‘Em Hope” rapper. He shared memes with captions, such as, “You better focus on getting Nikki pregnant so you can at least get child support girl.” He also called Meek, “Hip Hop’s first r***rded MC,” among many others.
50 Cent didn’t stop there though. He also posted some creative edits of Meek Mill, such as putting his face on a troll magazine cover, posting a picture of the alphabet, and replacing the letter “L” with Meek’s face. As if that wasn’t enough, Fif also uploaded a picture of the poop emoji, covered with little pictures of Meek. Much to the excitement of onlookers, the Insta trolling wasn’t one-sided.
Meek doubled down with an Instagram post, sharing a picture of himself holding stacks of money with a loaded caption. He spoke on 50 Cent’s beef with Rick Ross and how Ross’ baby mama sued him. Meek also took shots at Fif’s relationship with his son. To top it off, he insulted his liquor brand and clowned him for being on the internet all day. He then signed out as “Instafingers,” referring to the nickname Drake had given him during their beef — “Twitter fingers.”
January 18-29, 2016: The Flint Water Crisis And “F*ck Meek Mill”
Amidst their Instagram squabbles, some fans pointed out that both rappers could better spend their time, specifically by helping out the Flint, MI water crisis. Meek Mill, who is no stranger to charitable donations, pledged $50,000 to the cause. He also used the opportunity to challenge Fif to match his donation. Instead, 50 Cent only responded publicly with more memes, claiming that Meek Mill only engaged in charity work for the tax write-offs. A few weeks later, 50 Cent got the crowd to chant “Fuck Meek Mill” with him at his performance at B.B. Kings.
July 2017: 50 Cent And Meek Mill Squash Their Beef
Meek Mill released his next album, Wins & Losses a year later, but instead of more 50 Cent disses, Meek revealed during the album’s press run that the two had made amends. In an interview on The Angie Martinez Show, Meek revealed that he and 50 had bumped into each other nearly a year ago and finally had a conversation. He shared that the two, “went to the side like men and had a good conversation.” Therefore, the beef quietly ended behind the scenes.
Despite Meek Mill’s words, many fans didn’t believe that the two rappers had truly put their differences behind them. That is why when it came out that they would both be in Vegas for the Mayweather vs. McGregor fight, many thought that this would lead to a public altercation. Instead, the two shared the stage at the nightclub Drai’s, performing one of Meek’s biggest hits, “Dreams & Nightmares.” They also posed for pictures together.
While 50 Cent and Meek Mill haven’t exactly been engaging one another, 2024 is looking different. In December 2023, Fif laughed at Rick Ross and Meek’s first week sales for their collab album, Too Good To Be True. However, that didn’t stir the pot enough to warrant another social media back-and-forth. Fast forward to March 2024, and 50 Cent has publicly reposted jokes and insults targeted at Meek Mill. So while he’s not the originator of these jokes, he’s enjoying being an instigator.
Amidst the ongoing Diddy scandal, allegations that the mogul and Meek Mill were engaged in a sexual relationship haven’t stopped making the rounds. Fif shared a video of someone in a red dress, with the caption, “Meek Mill leaving Diddy’s house.” Although the post has since been deleted, 50 Cent remarked, “Who did this?” at the video.
Moreover, following Andrew Schulz’s comedy set where he laughed at Meek Mill’s alleged sexuality, 50 Cent also reposted the video to his platform. It’s unclear whether Fif is just trolling as usual or there’s been a reignited beef. Either way, Meek hasn’t responded to the trolls directly.
As Meek Mill continues to insist he’s straight, 50 Cent says the rapper has more to worry about. In fact, Fif has told Meek to leave the gay rumors alone and focus on the gossip surrounding an alleged tape involving Diddy. Meek earlier shared that his son was confused at the rumors surrounding his sexuality. Fif subsequently reposted one of these headlines regarding Meek’s statement to Instagram and captioned it, saying: “Got Damn it. People don’t think you are gay @meekmillnews they think you on them tapes. Old boy was filming every room even the toilets.” So maybe Fif does have Meek’s back after all.
(@Charlestonwhyt) 
