Drake vs Meek Mill
A ghostwriting accusation, two diss tracks in a week, and the first big beef won with memes.
Summer 2015. Drake is the biggest rapper in the world. Philadelphia's Meek Mill is on the rise and dating Nicki Minaj, Drake's labelmate. Drake even has a verse on Meek's new album. Then Meek logs on.
July 21, 2015
The tweets
Meek tweets that Drake doesn't write his own raps, and that's why Drake didn't promote Meek's album. The accusation points to a writer named Quentin Miller.
Late July 2015
The reference track
Hot 97's Funkmaster Flex plays a reference track recorded by Quentin Miller for one of Drake's songs. It's real, but it mostly shows that co-writing is normal in rap.
July 25, 2015
'Charged Up'
Drake responds first. It's lukewarm. Meek's side says Drake is scared.
July 29, 2015
'Back to Back'
Four days later, Drake drops "Back to Back". It's catchy, petty and brutal, and mocks Meek for opening on his girlfriend's tour. The cover art is Toronto's Joe Carter celebrating his 1993 World Series-winning home run against the Philadelphia Phillies.
July 30, 2015
'Wanna Know'
Meek finally answers. The internet is not impressed.
August 2015
OVO Fest
Drake performs "Back to Back" at his Toronto festival while memes of Meek play on the screen behind him.
2016
Grammy nomination
"Back to Back" is nominated for Best Rap Performance. A diss track.
2018
Peace
After Meek is released from prison on a probation case that became a national story, Drake brings him out at a show in Boston. Their song "Going Bad" comes out soon after.
Pop quiz
0/4 answered
Q1
What did Meek Mill accuse Drake of?
Q2
Which Drake diss track got a Grammy nomination?
Q3
What did Drake put on the big screen at OVO Fest 2015?
Q4
How did it end?