Rap beefs are nothing new, but the Kendrick Lamar and Drake saga has taken the drama to a whole new level. Add Pusha T to the mix, and you’ve got a recipe for one of the most talked-about conflicts in recent hip-hop history. During a discussion at Art Basel Miami with Ari Melber on December 7, Pusha T shared his take on the Kendrick-Drake beef, leaving no room for ambiguity.
Pusha T: Kendrick’s Diss Cut Deep
When asked if Kendrick Lamar came out on top, Pusha T didn’t mince words. “1,000%,” he said emphatically. “Kendrick is a lyricist who talks to your soul. The truth cuts deep, and that’s what Kendrick did.” Pusha even implied that the impact of Kendrick’s diss track, Not Like Us, might have driven Drake to his current legal actions.
According to Push, “Talking to someone’s soul” leaves an undeniable mark, and Kendrick’s biting lyricism has the power to expose vulnerabilities in ways few can match.
Drake Takes Legal Action
In late November, Drake filed a lawsuit against Universal Music Group (UMG) and Spotify, alleging they artificially boosted streaming numbers for Not Like Us. He claimed that even Siri mistakenly queued up Kendrick’s track when users requested his album Certified Lover Boy. The lawsuit doesn’t name Kendrick Lamar as a defendant but criticizes UMG for failing to intervene in the track’s release.
Criticism from All Angles
Drake’s legal move hasn’t sat well with many in the hip-hop world. Joe Budden labeled him “a selfish, lying, manipulative sack of [expletive],” while Dame Dash pointed out that Drake has used similar tactics in the past. Even sports commentator Stephen A. Smith weighed in, urging Drake to either respond with a diss track or concede defeat.
Pusha T’s History with Drake
Pusha T knows a thing or two about beefing with Drake. Their feud dates back to Exodus 23:1 in 2012 and reached its apex in 2018 with Pusha’s devastating diss track, The Story of Adidon. Not only did Pusha expose Drake’s son, Adonis, but he also criticized him for keeping the child out of the public eye. In an iconic line, Pusha rapped, “Adonis is your son… Love that baby, respect that girl.”
Drake later admitted during a Rap Radar interview that Pusha’s diss was his “first loss in the competitive sport of rapping.”
The Bigger Picture
As the Kendrick vs. Drake feud unfolds, it’s clear the stakes are more than just lyrical dominance—it’s about legacy and public perception. For now, Pusha T’s endorsement of Kendrick adds another layer of intrigue to a saga that shows no signs of cooling off.
Stay tuned to WrapUpTV for the latest in hip-hop and pop culture drama. Let’s see if Drake decides to pick up the mic or stick to the courtroom!
