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Written By: Jewels Alexandria

(5 Minute Read)

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It’s time The Juke Joint taps in on the Kendrick Lamar and Drake battle. Like I have expressed before, I don’t think the world needed that beef. That beef was more for J. Cole and Kendrick Lamar (unnecessary). Not Drake. He is not mentally nor skilled enough to rap against the likes of Cole, let alone Kendrick Lamar. And I say this plainly due to the fact he does not write his own raps (which is a big problem) or preach about anything besides women? So, once J. Cole dropped out, the excitement to see the culture light on fire quickly fizzled out, for me. Drake is not for the culture and never has been. I see him more as a Beyoncé, Taylor Swift artist who simply loves the fame. And the music is good, just not comparable to the level of music making as Lamar or Cole.

We never know what was going on behind the scenes that made Kendrick release the verse heard around the world. But it truly was needed. It was like a realignment for rap. K. Dot’s animated style is purely original and unmatched. There are multiple sides to his music that Drake just could never reach. Mainly because he does not write his own music so there is not much real emotion behind it. None-the-less, here are some thoughts on the diss tracks

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April 19th - Drake responds to Like That with Push Ups:

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First off, the fake leak. The amount of insecurity displayed here is disturbing. One of the main reason people get annoyed with Drake. It was almost as if a way to say, “Let’s see if they like this first and if they do we’ll keep it going.” Second, there are multiple writers on this joint. If you are going to claim to be the best, prove it. A decent tune but on so many levels, corny. “How the f*ck you big steppin with a size seven men’s on.” “I just got em done, don’t make me have to chip a nail.”(Dry face). Now, Drake had to fight more than Kendrick, so he addressed Rick Ross and Metro Boomin on this track. A disadvantage for the pop star but he held his own as best he could (with the help from others). But for Drake to say Kendrick last album “bricked” as if he has not been putting out nothing but mediocre albums for the past five years is ridiculous. A desperate attempt to curve the attention from his albums. Thirdly, the mentioning of Kendrick’s wife put him the same position as when he was beefing with Pusha T. Again, nothing original.  Flow is dope on this track and beat selection is cool. I don’t think he was ready for Dots response.

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April 19th: Drake - Taylor Made Freestyle:

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Why? Maybe should have fake leaked this one.

April 30th: Kendrick - Euphoria

“Don’t tell no lies ‘bout me and I won’t tell truth ‘bout you.” Lamar chooses to drop on the most random day and time. I believe it was a Monday. The use of and classic R&B sample, again displays his understanding of remaining culturally relevant. Drake fans also became even more delirious after this dropped. Calling it boring. But this is my personal favorite of the diss tracks. Hitting on each subject matter but still standing off a little, warning Drake of what’s to come if he keeps pushing. A lot of comedic relief in here. “What is it the braids?”

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May 3rd: Kendrick - 6:16 in LA:

By this time Kendrick is forcing drake to stay on his toes. I don’t think he knew how quickly he would follow up with another diss track.

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May 3rd: Drake - Family Matters

Family Matters is probably the best diss track to come from Drake and is supposedly entirely written by the MC. “Ni*ga, I said that I know that you mad.” This was hilarious a great punch in for the track. Drake thought he had Kendrick by dropping a track just few short hours after the release of 6:16. Even though he attempted to throw Cole back in the beef, for the second time. But we all know Drake was losing sleep over this beef.

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May 3rd: Kendrick - Meet The Grahams:

This eerie track really gave the doubters a perspective that cannot be denied. Completely unexpected, K. Dot dropped 45 minutes after the Canadian rapper drops Family Matters. Waking the world from their slumber and putting drake at yet another disadvantage.

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May 4th: Kendrick – Not Like Us:

The very next day Kendrick drops again! And this time the anthem of the summer. There is not much to say about this other it’s a hit! Welcome new Kendrick fans!

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May 5th Drake – The Heart Part 6

In case you didn’t know, Drake did follow up to Not Like Us the next day. But The Heart tracks are deeper than Drake could ever fathom. He tried but I can’t recall a lyric.

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So there you have it. I break down of my thoughts for each diss track between the MC’s. What an exciting start to 2024. I hope Kendrick drops a full album this year just because.

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Much Love,

Jewels Alexandria

June 20, 2024

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