The public rivalry between Kendrick Lamar and Drake serves as a microcosm for larger discussions in hip-hop. Their fight for supremacy, filled with competitive flair and personal issues, challenges hip-hop enthusiasts to consider the authenticity of cultural entry points. As a cultural form created by African Americans, hip-hop incorporates a variety of diasporic influences, but its foundational roots remain in African American culture. Practitioners of hip-hop shape the unique experience associated with the genre and carry the responsibility of curating its customs and trends. The lyrical combat between Kendrick Lamar and Drake raises questions about racial identity and one’s connection to blackness, a taboo subject that forces a larger, uncomfortable conversation within mainstream forums.
Kendrick Lamar’s diss track to Drake, “Not Like Us,” points out instances where he believes Drake misrepresented elements of hip-hop culture to boost his career. Lamar’s critiques suggest that artists like Drake lack the authenticity that he possesses, with the chant “they not like us” possibly alluding to their differences in abiding by the morals of Black culture. Drake’s biracial identity, with an African American father and Jewish Canadian mother, has played a significant role in his personal narrative. Drake has discussed the challenges of fitting into either the Black or Jewish communities, as his upbringing and education did not extensively expose him to the dynamics of the Black community. Kendrick Lamar critiques Drake for his portrayal of blackness as an adaptation to assuage his insecurities, likening him to the character B-Rad from “Malibu’s Most Wanted.”
Kendrick Lamar’s formative years in Compton, a community affected by the crack epidemic and predominantly Black and Hispanic population, have shaped his perspectives on life and hip-hop. His experiences growing up in a stable family environment compared to his friends, who lacked parental guidance due to incarcerated fathers and addicted mothers, have influenced his music and storytelling. Hip-hop has a history of being a voice for societal critique, with tracks like “The Message” by Grandmaster Flash and The Furious Five highlighting the struggles of poverty-stricken urban areas. Understanding the ongoing challenges faced by the Black community informs artistic creation in hip-hop, as illustrated in Lamar’s diss track against Drake with references to historical events and the Black experience.
The clash between Kendrick Lamar and Drake has awakened dormant hip-hop fans and urged them to adopt a purist stance by delving into the nuanced lyrical battles between the two artists. The confrontation sheds light on the importance of authentic representation of the environments that shaped hip-hop artists, highlighting the demand for fidelity to cultural representation within the genre. While both Lamar and Drake appeal to Black audiences, the broader significance lies in the authenticity and connection to the Black experience demanded by hip-hop advocates. The rivalry between the two artists serves as a reminder of the cultural responsibility carried by hip-hop practitioners, pushing the genre to address uncomfortable discussions around race, identity, and the roots of the music.
