Drake And Kendrick Lamar's Rap Feud Has Officially Turned Into A Legal Battle (2024)

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I have no doubt you're aware of the giant feud between Drake and Kendrick Lamar. It's been simmering for awhile, but only reached new heights earlier this year. I'm not gonna go into the full, decade-spanning timeline — because frankly, it's a lot. We'll start when their beef reignited in 2023, when Drake and J. Cole claimed in a song that, along with Kendrick Lamar, they were the "big three" of rap. Then, in response, Lamar rapped, "It's just big me." This spun into a series of back-and-forth diss tracks between Drake and Kendrick, which include some pretty serious allegations and insults. In particular, you might recognize Drake's "Push Ups" and "Taylor Made Freestyle," and Kendrick's "euphoria" and "Not Like Us." The latter, "Not Like Us" by Kendrick Lamar, debuted at number one on the Billboard Hot 100. It's also nominated for a whopping FIVE Grammys. And if you've heard the lyrics, you know they're pretty wild. For example: "Say, Drake, I hear you like 'em young," "Tryna strike a chord and it's probably A Minor," and let's not forget about "You not a colleague, you a fuckin' colonizer," which people think addresses Drake's racial identity. Well, clearly, Drake has noticed how popular the song is. Most recently, he has taken legal action against Spotify and Universal Music Group, claiming that they "artificially inflate[d]" streams for Kendrick's "Not Like Us." According to Billboard, Drake's company has accused them of "launching an illegal 'scheme' involving bots, payola and other methods to pump up" the song. His company's attorneys claim Universal Music Group "did not rely on chance, or even ordinary business practices," and that "it instead launched a campaign to manipulate and saturate the streaming services and airwaves." "The suggestion that UMG would do anything to undermine any of its artists is offensive and untrue," a spokesperson from Universal Music Group told Billboard. They referred to these "legal arguments" as "contrived and absurd," and emphasized that "fans choose the music they want to hear." Right now, the legal action is no more than a "pre-action" petition, Billboard explained. But let's just say the internet has taken this information and ran with it: Yikes. What are your thoughts? Tell us in the comments below! And make sure to follow BuzzFeed Canada on Instagram and TikTok for more 👀

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I fear this Kendrick vs. Drake beef has reached new heights.

by Abby ZinmanBuzzFeed Staff

I have no doubt you're aware of the giant feud between Drake and Kendrick Lamar. It's been simmering for awhile, but only reached new heights earlier this year.

Mark Blinch / Getty Images, Gary Miller / WireImage / Getty Images

I'm not gonna go into the full, decade-spanning timeline — because frankly, it's a lot. We'll start when their beef reignited in 2023, when Drake and J. Cole claimed in a song that, along with Kendrick Lamar, they were the "big three" of rap. Then, in response, Lamar rapped, "It's just big me."

Drake And Kendrick Lamar's Rap Feud Has Officially Turned Into A Legal Battle (2)

This spun into a series of back-and-forth diss tracks between Drake and Kendrick, which include some pretty serious allegations and insults. In particular, you might recognize Drake's "Push Ups" and "Taylor Made Freestyle," and Kendrick's "euphoria" and "Not Like Us."

Drake And Kendrick Lamar's Rap Feud Has Officially Turned Into A Legal Battle (3)

The latter, "Not Like Us" by Kendrick Lamar, debuted at number one on the Billboard Hot 100. It's also nominated for a whopping FIVE Grammys.

Drake And Kendrick Lamar's Rap Feud Has Officially Turned Into A Legal Battle (4)

And if you've heard the lyrics, you know they're pretty wild. For example: "Say, Drake, I hear you like 'em young," "Tryna strike a chord and it's probably A Minor," and let's not forget about "You not a colleague, you a fuckin' colonizer," which people think addresses Drake's racial identity.

Drake And Kendrick Lamar's Rap Feud Has Officially Turned Into A Legal Battle (5)

Well, clearly, Drake has noticed how popular the song is. Most recently, he has taken legal action against Spotify and Universal Music Group, claiming that they "artificially inflate[d]" streams for Kendrick's "Not Like Us."

Drake And Kendrick Lamar's Rap Feud Has Officially Turned Into A Legal Battle (6)

According to Billboard, Drake's company has accused them of "launching an illegal 'scheme' involving bots, payola and other methods to pump up" the song.

Drake And Kendrick Lamar's Rap Feud Has Officially Turned Into A Legal Battle (7)

His company's attorneys claim Universal Music Group "did not rely on chance, or even ordinary business practices," and that "it instead launched a campaign to manipulate and saturate the streaming services and airwaves."

Drake And Kendrick Lamar's Rap Feud Has Officially Turned Into A Legal Battle (8)

"The suggestion that UMG would do anything to undermine any of its artists is offensive and untrue," a spokesperson from Universal Music Group told Billboard. They referred to these "legal arguments" as "contrived and absurd," and emphasized that "fans choose the music they want to hear."

Cole Burston / Getty Images, Europa Press News / Europa Press via Getty Images

"We employ the highest ethical practices in our marketing and promotional campaigns," they said.

Right now, the legal action is no more than a "pre-action" petition, Billboard explained. But let's just say the internet has taken this information and ran with it:

if there was one rapper that would call the police after losing a rap battle it was always going to be Drake
— .. (@BodegaaCat) November 25, 2024

Twitter: @BodegaaCat

Drake is suing, but not for the accusations? I…. pic.twitter.com/6vZ0bmHNQA
— Marianne Sunshine (@MissMaSunshine) November 25, 2024

Twitter: @MissMaSunshine

drake got artificial abs and an artificial hairline throwing around artificial allegations this is CRAZY pic.twitter.com/fLiCC385hC
— zae (@itszaeok) November 25, 2024

Twitter: @itszaeok

Indian people were making Not Like Us remixes at their weddings and Drake thinks bots were involved
— Kar (@karlogan_) November 25, 2024

Twitter: @karlogan_

Drake chose to sue over streaming numbers, instead of defamation from the pedophile accusations pic.twitter.com/nWXlWXhm9A
— Brandon Pope TV (@BpopeTV) November 26, 2024

Apple TV / Twitter: @BpopeTV

So let me ask y'all this...
If Drake is saying HIS label used bots and payola to boost Kendrick's Not Like Us and he is certain they did, y'all realize he knows this because they've been doing it for him for a decade right? pic.twitter.com/ekCg3YcLv6
— Sisa (@TheTitanBaddie) November 26, 2024

Fox / Twitter: @TheTitanBaddie

my whole timeline calling Drake a bitch in unison 😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/9tUXvObvh3
— LINDSEY 👩🏿‍💻 🍑 | UX/UI Doll (@LindseyCreated) November 25, 2024

Twitter: @LindseyCreated