Kendrick Lamar and Drake Feud Overview

Early Interactions

• 2011: Drake and Kendrick met in Toronto, got along well.

  • Kendrick shared his unreleased album Section 80 with Drake.
  • Drake impressed and tweeted Kendrick's lyrics from 'ADHD'.
  • Kendrick appreciated Drake’s genuine personality.

• 2011-2012: Drake invited Kendrick on his Club Paradise tour.

  • Demonstrated Drake’s support and promotion for Kendrick.

Rise of Kendrick Lamar

• 2012: Kendrick’s major success with Good Kid, M.A.A.D City.
  • Featured Drake on 'Poetic Justice'.
  • Drake praised Kendrick’s album publicly.

Divergence in Music and Personalities

• Differences: Kendrick focused on mental health and relationships, Drake on fame and luxury.

Competitiveness and Early Tensions

• 2013: Kendrick's “Control” verse on Big Sean’s song named Drake among others, declared competitiveness.

  • Drake felt confused by the mixed signals from Kendrick.

• 2013 BET Hip Hop Awards: Kendrick takes shots at Drake for being sensitive about the “Control” verse.

  • Drake responds with subliminal disses on his album Nothing Was the Same.

Escalating Tensions

• 2013-2014: Drake continued with subliminal shots in his music.

  • The Language, Trophies contain indirect references to Kendrick.

• 2015: Ghostwriting allegations against Drake by Meek Mill.

  • Kendrick hinted at ghostwriting in his song 'King Kunta'.

Public and Musical Jabs

• 2015 Grammy Awards: Dispute over Macklemore's win over Kendrick. Drake criticized Macklemore’s public apology to Kendrick.

• 2016: Kendrick's To Pimp a Butterfly praised, while Drake's If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late successful commercially.

  • Drake disses Kendrick in 100 by The Game.

Continued Subliminals

• 2017: Kendrick’s album DAMN contains direct shots at Drake.

  • Tracks like 'ELEMENT' and 'HUMBLE' address his superiority.

• 2018: Drake and Kendrick compete at Billboard Awards, Kendrick wins big.

  • Drake shares old messages with Kendrick publicly.

2021-2022

• 2021: Kendrick drops Family Ties with Baby Keem, continues to take shots at Drake.

• 2022: Kendrick releases Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers, subtly addresses confusion over Drake and Kanye’s reconciliation.

  • Drake keeps dropping hits and remains commercially dominant.

Recent Developments

• Kendrick’s Perspective: Clearly remaining competitive and not warming up to Drake’s gestures.

  • Continues to make subtle digs while focusing on his own artistry.

• Drake’s Gestures: Attempts to squash the beef, publicly praises Kendrick, but also takes occasional shots.

  • Continues successful commercial run despite feud.

Conclusion

• The feud is characterized by a mix of mutual respect and competitive rivalry.
• Kendrick remains critical and distant despite Drake’s attempts to make peace.
• Both artists continue to dominate hip-hop but approach their careers and artistry very differently.