The long-standing feud between Kendrick Lamar and Drake reached a dramatic climax during the Super Bowl halftime show. Lamar, known for his lyrical depth and commitment to hip-hop’s artistic integrity, performed his Grammy-winning track Not Like Us a song widely interpreted as a scathing takedown of the Canadian rapper. As he delivered the line, “Tryna strike a chord and it’s probably A-minor,” with a devious smirk, the 70,000-strong crowd inside Caesars Superdome erupted, cementing what many see as Kendrick’s victory in this lyrical battle.
This beef, however, is more than just personal. It represents a larger ideological clash in hip-hop. Drake, the most streamed artist of the 2010s and a global music icon, embodies a commercially driven, melodic rap style that blends seamlessly with pop. Kendrick, on the other hand, sees himself as a guardian of the genre’s grit and substance, pushing back against what he views as the dilution of rap’s essence.
Speaking before his Super Bowl performance, Kendrick lamented the erosion of hip-hop’s cultural weight. “When people talk about rap, the conversations I’m hearing, they think it’s just rapping, it’s not an actual art form,” he said. He has framed his battle with Drake as part of a broader mission to restore rap’s raw intensity and deeper meaning.
While some, including veteran rapper Common, argue that Drake remains an MC despite his mainstream appeal, others believe his success has contributed to rap’s evolution into a more accessible, pop-driven genre. Margs, a London rapper and battle rap host, believes Kendrick’s approach is a return to hip-hop’s roots—where battle raps, lyrical prowess, and social commentary mattered more than chart performance.
The Super Bowl performance was laden with political symbolism, including references to Black empowerment and social justice, reinforcing Kendrick’s belief that hip-hop should be more than just entertainment. His halftime show came at a crucial moment in U.S. politics, coinciding with Donald Trump’s presence at the event and an election cycle filled with racial and cultural tensions.
While Kendrick seems to have won this round, Drake’s recent track Gimme a Hug hints at a desire to move on, focusing instead on his signature party anthems. However, a looming legal battle over Not Like Us could reignite tensions.
For now, Kendrick’s halftime declaration “Game Over” suggests he’s closed the chapter. But in hip-hop, beefs never truly die; they just evolve into the next verse.
