When it comes to holding a grudge, Kendrick Lamar takes the crown with a level of finesse that’s almost artistic. His most recent display? The Super Bowl LIX halftime show, where he chose to perform a seven-year-old verse from the track “All the Stars” featured in the blockbuster hit Black Panther. This wasn’t just a walk down memory lane; it was a targeted reminder to Drake—and to all of us—that Lamar’s memory for slights is as sharp as his lyrical sword.
The Spark of a Super Feud
It all began in 2018, not with explosive public call-outs or through the tracks of a diss album, but rather quietly in a cinema. Black Panther wasn’t just a Marvel success story; it became the unlikely catalyst for one of the most subtly intense feuds in hip-hop history. As audiences around the world were mesmerized by the heroics of T’Challa and the emotional depth of the narrative, Kendrick Lamar was setting the stage for a showdown, sparked by the ghostwriting accusations surrounding Drake.
In a candid Rolling Stone interview, Lamar made his stance clear about the essence of authentic artistry in rap: “I cannot call myself the best rapper if I have a ghostwriter. If you’re saying you’re a different type of artist and you don’t really care about the art form of being the best rapper, then so be it. Make great music. But the title, it won’t be there.” These words were not just a reflection of his ethos but a direct jab at those who might not hold themselves to the same standards.
A Verse That Echoes Through Time
The real twist came when Lamar, tasked with curating the soundtrack for Black Panther, included the track “All the Stars”. Here, he lyrically lashed out in response to Drake’s previous accolades directed at him, with lines that cut deep: “Fu*k you and all your expectations, I don’t even want your congratulations. Oh, you important? You the moral to the story? You endorsin’? Mothafu**a, I don’t even like you.” It’s clear from these lines that Lamar’s words were meant to resonate beyond the confines of the movie.
Fast forward to the present, at the Super Bowl LIX, where the stage was set not just for a game but for Lamar to reassert his lyrical dominance. Dropping the same incendiary verse from years past, he wasn’t just performing; he was reminding Drake and the world of his unyielding stance. The choice of venue and timing—during the most-watched event of the year—only amplified the impact.
The Art of War in Hip-Hop
Drake, known for his strategic peace-making and industry camaraderie, seems almost the antithesis of Lamar in this narrative. Despite his efforts to extend an olive branch, Lamar remains unmoved, his artistic integrity forming an impenetrable shield against industry standard pleasantries. This ongoing saga between Lamar and Drake underscores a larger narrative in hip-hop: that of authenticity versus commercial success, the artist versus the entertainer.
Kendrick Lamar’s approach to this feud—using a cinematic moment to fuel a lyrical war, and revisiting it years later on a global stage—proves that for him, rap is more than music. It’s a chess game where each move is deliberate, each word a potential checkmate. And in this game, it seems Lamar is always thinking several moves ahead.
In a world where feuds are often quickly forgotten amidst rapid news cycles and the next big hit, Lamar’s methodical approach to settling scores sets him apart as not just a player in the game, but a master of it. This saga isn’t just about two artists at odds, but about the heart of hip-hop itself—authenticity, legacy, and the relentless pursuit of artistic excellence. As we watch this unfold, it’s clear that in the rap game, Kendrick Lamar is not just playing to win; he’s playing for keeps.