Drake recently seemed to address Kendrick Lamar’s sharp criticisms in his verse on “Like That,” featured on the collaborative album “We Don’t Trust You” by Future and Metro Boomin. This exchange of words adds a new chapter to the ongoing narrative between the two artists.
During a performance at the Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, Florida, on a Sunday night, Drake took a moment to share a defiant message with his audience, indirectly referencing his industry rivals and their ongoing disputes. “Many people have been asking how I’m feeling,” he began. “Well, I’m about to let you know. The way I feel now is exactly how I want each of you to leave this place tonight,” he continued, his voice gaining intensity. “I’m standing tall, head held high, firmly grounded, not just here in Florida but wherever I go. And I’m certain, no one on this planet can ever bring me down!”
The crowd responded with enthusiastic applause to Drake’s spirited declaration, marking a memorable end to the “It’s All a Blur – Big As the What?” concert.
Kendrick Lamar previously targeted both Drake and J. Cole in his verse on “Like That,” challenging their status within the rap industry. This was seen as a direct response to their portrayal as the “Big Three” of rap, a concept J. Cole alluded to in the chart-topping “First Person Shooter” collaboration with Drake. “Stop with the sneak disses,” Kendrick rapped, “‘First Person Shooter,’ I hope they’re ready for the real challenge.” He boldly continued, “Think I won’t reveal where I am? Still haunted by PTSD. Forget the so-called Big Three, it’s all about me.”
Kendrick then singled out Drake, referencing his “For All the Dogs” album and drawing a parallel between them and the legendary rivalry between Prince and Michael Jackson. “Watch out, before all your ‘dogs’ end up buried. With all these challenges, he’s going to end up in a ‘Pet Sematary,'” Kendrick warned, alluding to Drake’s achievement of tying with Michael Jackson for the number of Hot 100 No. 1 hits. Kendrick further dismissed Drake’s work as insubstantial, provocatively stating, “Prince outlived Michael Jackson.”
The relationship between Drake and Kendrick Lamar has been frosty since Kendrick’s explosive verse on Big Sean’s “Control” in 2013, despite their collaboration on Kendrick’s “Poetic Justice” a year earlier. Since then, the two have not worked together.
Following the performance in Florida, Drake is set to continue his tour with a stop in Birmingham, Alabama, on Wednesday, before heading to New York for several shows. This ongoing saga between Drake and Kendrick Lamar continues to captivate the rap world, leaving fans eager to see what comes next.