Kendrick Lamar’s Feud with Drake: Exploring the Roots of Their Rivalry

Kendrick Lamar and Drake have had a rivalry since around 2013, escalating in 2024 into a series of diss tracks over competition and personal accusations.

Background

Drake and Kendrick Lamar have been rivals since about 2013, after Kendrick’s verse on “Control” named Drake among rappers he wanted to compete with.

2024 escalation

In 2024, a string of diss tracks followed, including “Like That” (Future, Metro Boomin and Kendrick), “Euphoria,” “6:16 in LA,” “Not Like Us,” and Drake’s “Family Matters.”

Result

“Not Like Us” won five Grammys in 2025, including Record of the Year and Song of the Year.

Note

Both artists have publicly traded accusations.

Timeline in facts

The rivalry between Kendrick Lamar and Drake is rooted in a long competition that began around 2013, when Kendrick’s verse on Big Sean’s “Control” called out other rappers including Drake. Tensions flared again in 2024 after Kendrick’s verse on “Like That” (a Future and Metro Boomin track released in March 2024) took aim at the “Big Three” idea.

• Drake released “Push Ups” in April 2024, and Kendrick responded with “Euphoria” and “6:16 in LA.”
• Drake’s “Family Matters” and Kendrick’s “Meet the Grahams” and “Not Like Us” followed within days in early May 2024.
• “Not Like Us” topped the Billboard Hot 100 and won five Grammy Awards in 2025, including Record of the Year and Song of the Year.

Context

The dispute is a hip-hop feud, and both artists have publicly stated different views. Allegations in the songs are claims by the artists and have not been proven. Drake filed a legal petition in January 2025 against Universal Music Group related to the song, and a court dismissed his defamation lawsuit in October 2025, according to news reports.

Timeline

Kendrick Lamar and Drake exchanged songs in 2024 after Lamar’s verse on “Like That” in March. Drake released “Push Ups” and “Taylor Made Freestyle” in April, Lamar responded with “Euphoria” and “6:16 in LA,” then “Not Like Us” in May 2024, which became a hit and won Grammys in 2025.

Context

Disagreements included claims about authorship, hip hop credit and personal accusations. Drake filed a legal complaint against Universal Music Group in 2025 over the song, a matter before the courts. The dispute reflects long standing competition in hip hop.

Timeline of releases

Lamar released “Not Like Us” on May 4, 2024, after Drake’s “Family Matters.” The song reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and won five Grammys in February 2025, including Record of the Year and Song of the Year. Kendrick performed it at Super Bowl LIX halftime in February 2025.

Business and legal background

In January 2025 Drake filed a legal petition against Universal Music Group alleging defamation and promotion of the song. UMG denied wrongdoing. Court filings are the source of facts here; the artists have not described their feelings in a single statement. Hip hop feuds trace back to rivalries such as Nas versus Jay-Z and Tupac versus Notorious B.I.G.

Based on data from Billboard, the Recording Academy and court filings