Kendrick vs Drake
The biggest rap beef of the streaming era: a flood of diss tracks in six weeks, a song that won five Grammys, a Super Bowl, and a lawsuit.
Two kids from the blog era, Kendrick Lamar from Compton and Drake from Toronto, both grew into the biggest rappers alive. They'd worked together early on. Then, for about ten years, the shots got less and less subtle.
The build-up
August 2013
The 'Control' verse
On a Big Sean song, Kendrick names Drake, J. Cole and a list of other rappers and says he's coming for all of them. It's framed as friendly competition. Sort of.
October 2023
'First Person Shooter'
On a Drake song, J. Cole calls himself, Drake and Kendrick rap's "big three".
Six weeks that broke the internet
March 22, 2024
'Like That'
On Future and Metro Boomin's album, Kendrick says there's no big three, it's just him. The song goes to No. 1.
April 2024
J. Cole taps out
Cole responds with "7 Minute Drill", then apologizes on stage two days later and pulls it from streaming.
April 19, 2024
'Push Ups' and the AI Tupac
Drake officially releases "Push Ups" after it leaks. The same day, his "Taylor Made Freestyle" uses AI-generated voices of Tupac and Snoop Dogg to taunt Kendrick. Tupac's estate threatens to sue, and Drake takes it down.
April 30, 2024
'Euphoria'
Kendrick responds with a six-minute takedown.
May 3, 2024
'Family Matters' and 'Meet the Grahams'
Drake drops "Family Matters" with a music video. Less than an hour later, Kendrick answers with "Meet the Grahams", addressed to Drake's family.
May 4, 2024
'Not Like Us'
Kendrick releases a West Coast party record produced by Mustard. It makes serious accusations about Drake's behavior with underage girls, which Drake strongly denies. It's also extremely catchy, and it debuts at No. 1.
May 5, 2024
'The Heart Part 6'
Drake denies the accusations and claims he fed Kendrick false information. The back-and-forth stops there.
The victory lap and the lawsuit
June–July 2024
The Pop Out
Kendrick headlines a Juneteenth concert in LA and performs "Not Like Us" over and over. The music video drops on July 4.
January 2025
Drake sues
Drake files a defamation lawsuit against Universal Music Group, the company behind both his label and Kendrick's, over "Not Like Us". Kendrick himself isn't named as a defendant.
February 2, 2025
Five Grammys
"Not Like Us" wins Record of the Year, Song of the Year, Best Rap Performance, Best Rap Song and Best Music Video.
February 9, 2025
The Super Bowl
Kendrick headlines the halftime show in New Orleans and performs "Not Like Us" for the biggest halftime audience on record, around 133 million viewers.
October 2025
Lawsuit dismissed
A federal judge dismisses Drake's suit, ruling that the lyrics are opinion in the context of a heated rap battle, not statements of fact. Drake appeals. As of October 2026 the appeal is still pending, with arguments scheduled for December 2026.
Pop quiz
0/4 answered
Q1
Which song kicked off the 2024 beef, with Kendrick rejecting the 'big three' idea?
Q2
Why did Drake take down 'Taylor Made Freestyle'?
Q3
How many Grammys did 'Not Like Us' win in 2025?
Q4
What happened to Drake's defamation lawsuit over 'Not Like Us'?