Kendrick Lamar orchestrated a star-studded event at the Kia Forum in Los Angeles on Wednesday, aiming to showcase unity within the West Coast rap community. Over 20 musicians made special appearances, including Dr Dre, Roddy Ricch, Ty Dolla $ign, Tyler The Creator, and Steve Lacy.
However, the highlight of the evening was the live debut of Lamar's track "Not Like Us," a scathing takedown of Canadian artist Drake, effectively putting an end to their longstanding feud.
Encouraged by the enthusiastic crowd, Lamar performed the song five times, each rendition more explosive than the last.
As the set drew to a close, he addressed the audience, asking if they would tolerate any disrespect towards the West Coast.
He further emphasized the importance of not allowing anyone to mock or imitate their legendary figures, alluding to Drake's controversial use of AI versions of Tupac and Snoop Dogg's vocals in his song "Taylor Made Freestyle." The feud between Lamar and Drake has been ongoing for years, but it reached new heights in April and May as the two rappers exchanged insults through a series of new tracks. Drake, who has become the face of mainstream pop-rap, accused Lamar of selling out and made derogatory remarks about his height.
Additionally, he leveled more serious
allegations of domestic violence against Lamar, despite no evidence supporting
such claims. Lamar, known as one of the most highly regarded lyricists of his
generation, criticized Drake's music as "predictable" and insinuated
that he had a gambling and drug addiction.
Not Like Us elevated its critique of Drake's actions
in the music industry by accusing him of appropriating Southern rap culture and
exploiting young women, allegations that Drake vehemently denied. The track,
set to a DJ Mustard beat, made history on Spotify by breaking records for the
most plays in a single day within the hip-hop genre.
The success of Not Like Us extended beyond streaming
platforms, as it soared to the top of the charts in the US and secured a spot
at number six in the UK, solidifying Lamar's position as a prominent solo
artist in the music industry. The track's impact was undeniable, sparking
conversations and debates within the hip-hop community.
Recently, Lamar made headlines once again with the
announcement of his highly anticipated Junteenth concert, The Pop Out: Ken And
Friends, which sold out within minutes of tickets going on sale. The event,
featuring performances by DJ Hed and DJ Mustard, paid tribute to the late
Nipsey Hussle and kicked off with Lamar's fiery performance of his latest Drake
diss track, Euphoria.
During his set, Lamar introduced a new verse in Euphoria,
challenging Drake to return a ring once owned by Tupac Shakur in exchange for
respect. The reference to the iconic rapper's ring, which was sold at auction
for a staggering amount, added a layer of complexity to Lamar's ongoing feud
with Drake, further fueling speculation and interest in their rivalry.
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