The ongoing feud between rappers Kendrick Lamar and Drake has captivated the music world. It all started with Drake dissing Kendrick in a track called “First Person Shooter” in Drake’s album “For All the Dogs” released in 2023. Kendrick fired back with a track called “Like That” off the We Don’t Trust You album by Metro Boomin. The feud escalated when Drake released “Push Ups,” calling out Kendrick and other hip-hop artists, leading to a quick response from Kendrick. The back and forth continued with Kendrick releasing tracks like “Euphoria,” “6:16 in LA,” and “Not Like Us,” while Drake responded with tracks like “Family Matters” and “The Heart Part 6.” The feud received both praise and criticism, with people taking sides in the ongoing battle.
The feud between Kendrick and Drake has not only captivated the music world but has also made its way into the sports domain. Professional sports teams and players have started using Kendrick’s latest diss track “Not Like Us” as their walk-up songs or transition music, with even television stations featuring the track during NBA playoff games. Colleges like USC and UCLA have also used the feud creatively, with USC showcasing the track during team practice sessions and UCLA using it to hype their college football rivalry with USC in social media posts. Kendrick’s “Not Like Us” has become popular in the sports world, possibly giving him an edge in the public beef between the two rappers.
The USC Trojans Football team initially used Kendrick’s track “Not Like Us” in a video to indicate their superiority, but their cross-town rivals, the UCLA Bruins Football team, also joined in by using the track and highlighting their wins against the Trojans. This has led to a potential social media feud between the two teams, as they lean into the “beef” nature of Kendrick and Drake’s tracks. Kendrick’s song has infiltrated the sports world, indicating his potential victory in the ongoing feud. “Not Like Us” has garnered more views on YouTube compared to Drake’s tracks, and its popularity is expected to grow as it continues to be used by various sports organizations and teams.
In terms of numbers, Kendrick’s track “Not Like Us” has garnered 26 million views on YouTube, surpassing Drake’s highest viewed track “Family Matters,” which has 18 million views. The popularity of Kendrick’s track has spread to various sports leagues, including the NBA, MLB, and NCAA, particularly in Los Angeles. The track has become a staple in sports events and has gained recognition at the college level, used by both USC and UCLA football teams to hype up their rivalry. The ongoing feud between Kendrick and Drake has not only captivated the music world but has also made its mark in the sports world, showcasing Kendrick’s dominance in the public beef. Kendrick, who hails from Compton, California, and Drake, who is from Toronto, Canada, have engaged in a battle that has transcended the music industry and has become a dominant force in the sports arena as well.
