The rap feud between Drake and Kendrick Lamar rocked the R&B music world for most of the summer. Although it ultimately left Lamar as the undisputed victor – following the release of the final diss track, “Not Like Us,” which topped the Billboard Hot 100 and broke several Spotify records – it didn’t come without a hitch for Drake.
The Canadian rapper recently made history by reportedly amassing 10 billion Spotify streams in a year. A fan page of Drake, @chartdrake, pointed out on X (formerly Twitter) that the 37-year-old artist is the only rapper to ever “surpass the 10 billion mark on the platform twice in a single year (2023 and 2024).” Drake released four diss tracks aimed at Lamar – Push Ups, Taylor Made Freestyle, Family Matters and The Heart Part 6.
In the merciless diss tracks released one after the other, Lamar and Drake rapped about everything from their past rivalry and family matters to accusations and rumors. The Humble rapper received an outpouring of support from fans and fellow Bay Area rappers in particular.
However, Drake has been suspiciously quiet since the feud ended, with fans speculating that he is planning his return to mainstream music. The God’s Plan rapper rightly made a surprise appearance at PartyNextDoor’s Toronto tour stop on Friday night, August 2. Appearing in his hometown should come as something of a relief, in contrast to the burning hatred his opponent has generated in the rap battle.
Drake performed a full set of R&B songs on the Budweiser Stage in the bustling Canadian city and also announced an upcoming collaborative album with OVO label mate PartyNextDoor, set for release in fall 2024.
“On behalf of me and Party, we’ve been working on something for all of you. So, put the summer behind you and do what you gotta do. I know you girls are all out there. When it gets a little chilly, PartyNextDoor and the Drake album will be right there waiting for you,” the rapper revealed at the end of the concert, according to Billboard.
Drake concluded by thanking his fans for their unwavering support throughout his years in the music industry. At a time when his longtime friends in the industry also sided with Lamar shortly after Not Like Us went off the rails, the Canadian rapper, who was accused of “colonizing” Southern rap culture, was only grateful for his hometown fans who stood by him through thick and thin.
More recently, the rapper’s attempts to re-emerge in mainstream music have not been particularly successful, with lukewarm appearances on Camilla Cabello’s C, XOXO, and a verse on Sexyy Red’s U My Everything. According to Rolling Stone, he also collaborated with Gordo on his dance tracks Healing and Sideways.
Regardless, the repercussions of “Not Like Us” are sure to be felt throughout Drake’s long music career, despite his history of blockbuster music.
36-year-old Kendrick Lamar, on the other hand, held a pop concert to celebrate his triumph in mid-June: A West Coast Reunion. It took place at the Kia Forum in Inglewood, California, and was a huge success, with well-known guest appearances.
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