Drake vs Kendrick Lamar

On Big Sean’s “Control,” Lamar named Drake among peers he had “love” for but wanted to “murder” in competition. Drake later dismissed the verse, making the tension public.

Drake and J. Cole released “First Person Shooter,” presenting themselves with Lamar as rap’s “big three.” Lamar later rejected that framing on “Like That.”

Lamar appeared on Future and Metro Boomin’s “Like That,” rejecting the “big three” with “it’s just big me.” The verse turned the long-running rivalry into open conflict.

Drake officially released “Push Ups” after an earlier leak. He answered “Like That,” mocked Lamar’s height and label arrangement, and also targeted several of Lamar’s collaborators.

Drake released “Taylor Made Freestyle,” using AI-generated vocals that resembled Tupac Shakur and Snoop Dogg. He later removed the track after Tupac’s estate objected.

Lamar released “Euphoria,” calling Drake a “master manipulator and habitual liar” and attacking his music, identity and parenting. He also warned Drake not to bring family into the exchange.

Lamar posted “6:16 in LA,” claiming people inside Drake’s OVO circle were working against him. The track arrived hours before Drake released “Family Matters.”

Drake released “Family Matters,” a seven-minute diss track and video targeting Kendrick Lamar and others. He made unproven allegations about Lamar’s relationship and family; Lamar answered shortly afterward with “Meet the Grahams.”

Lamar released “Meet the Grahams” shortly after “Family Matters,” alleging that Drake had hidden a daughter and accusing him of predatory conduct. Drake denied the daughter claim; the allegations remained unproven.

Lamar released “Not Like Us,” calling Drake a “certified pedophile” and “colonizer.” These were allegations in a diss track, not established findings; Drake denied sexual involvement with minors.

Drake released “The Heart Part 6,” denying Kendrick’s allegations and saying his team planted the secret-daughter story. He repeated his allegations about Lamar’s family.

A security guard was seriously wounded in a shooting outside Drake’s Toronto home. Police said they were aware of the feud but did not confirm any connection or motive.

At the Pop Out concert in Inglewood, Lamar performed “Euphoria,” “6:16 in LA” and “Not Like Us,” repeating the last track multiple times before a livestreamed audience.

Lamar released the “Not Like Us” video, featuring Whitney Alford, their children, Dave Free’s directing credit and an owl piñata. The imagery directly referenced claims and symbols from the exchange.

Drake filed pre-action petitions in New York and Texas, alleging UMG, Spotify and iHeartMedia improperly boosted “Not Like Us.” The filings sought evidence before possible lawsuits.

Drake filed a defamation lawsuit against Universal Music Group over the release and promotion of “Not Like Us.” Kendrick was not named as a defendant.

“Not Like Us” won five Grammy Awards, including Record of the Year and Song of the Year, extending the song’s impact beyond the original feud.

Kendrick performed “Not Like Us” during the Super Bowl halftime show, bringing the track to one of the largest television audiences of his career.

A federal judge dismissed Drake’s defamation lawsuit against Universal Music Group, ruling that the lyrics were presented in the context of a rap battle rather than as factual claims.

Drake appealed the dismissal of his lawsuit against Universal Music Group, leaving the legal dispute unresolved at the time of reporting.

Drake released “Iceman,” with several songs revisiting the Lamar feud, the UMG case and claims about streaming promotion. It was his first solo album after the 2024 exchange.