Drake Cancels Australia & New Zealand Tour Amid Kendrick Lamar Feud Speculations

The Super Bowl halftime show may be over, but its ripple effects are still shaking up the music industry. While Kendrick Lamar used the grand stage to take a jab at his longtime rival Drake, the Canadian rapper has now abruptly canceled the remainder of his Anita Max Win Tour in Australia and New Zealand.

Drake Pulls the Plug on His Tour Due to ‘Scheduling Conflict’

On February 25, just weeks after Lamar’s headline-grabbing Super Bowl performance, it was confirmed that Drake had called off the final four dates of his sold-out Anita Max Win Tour.

The official statement from his team cited a “scheduling conflict” as the reason for the cancellation. A representative added, “We are actively working on rescheduling these dates along with adding some additional shows.” Fans who had already purchased tickets were assured full refunds if they chose not to wait for the rescheduled concerts.

The 38-year-old rapper, who had already performed in Melbourne, Perth, Brisbane, and Sydney, had been making his first return to Australia and New Zealand since 2017. However, the abrupt nature of the cancellation, coupled with the timing, has fueled speculation about the impact of Lamar’s diss.

Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl Jab & Their Ongoing Feud

Drake’s cancellation comes shortly after Kendrick Lamar’s viral Super Bowl halftime performance, where he made a pointed reference to their decade-long feud.

During his performance of “Not Like Us”, the diss track that took the Billboard charts by storm last year, Lamar smirked at the camera and quipped, “I want to perform their favorite song, but you know they love to sue.” The remark was widely interpreted as a direct shot at Drake’s ongoing legal battle with Universal Music Group.

Although Drake did not issue a direct response, he did make a subtle lyrical tweak at his Melbourne concert the next day. In his song “Knife Talk”, the original lyric states:

“Beef is live, spoiler alert—this n**a dies.”*

However, at his show, he altered the line to:

“Beef is live, spoiler alert—I never die.”

The History of the Kendrick Lamar-Drake Feud

The bad blood between Drake and Kendrick Lamar stretches back over a decade. What began as a competitive rivalry between two of hip-hop’s biggest stars has escalated into a full-blown feud with multiple diss tracks and public jabs.

• 2013: Kendrick Lamar’s now-infamous verse on Big Sean’s “Control” namedropped several rappers, including Drake, challenging them to step up their lyrical game.

• 2016-2018: The tension grew as both artists took subliminal shots at each other through their music and public appearances.

• 2023: Kendrick Lamar released “Not Like Us”, a diss track that topped the Billboard Hot 100, taking aim at Drake and reigniting the flames of their feud.

• 2025 Super Bowl: Lamar’s latest jab during his halftime show performance was seen as his boldest attack yet.

While the two have never publicly confronted each other face-to-face, their lyrical exchanges and industry moves continue to keep fans on edge.

Fan Reactions & Speculations About Drake’s Tour Cancellation

The timing of Drake’s tour cancellation has led to widespread fan speculation. While his team maintains it was due to “scheduling conflicts”, many believe the move is tied to Lamar’s diss and its aftermath.

Social Media Reactions:

“Kendrick really got Drake canceling entire shows? That Super Bowl diss must have hit hard.”

“Drake never runs from a fight. Maybe he’s just cooking up his response?”

“Beef or no beef, reschedule those tour dates ASAP. We need those shows!”

As debates continue online, some fans are hopeful that Drake’s next move will involve either a new diss track or a major tour announcement in response to the controversy.

What’s Next for Drake?

Despite the setback, Drake remains one of the biggest names in music. With a long history of chart-topping hits, he has repeatedly bounced back from controversies and rivalries.

Looking ahead, there are three potential scenarios:

1. A Surprise Diss Track – Many fans believe that Drake might be working on a lyrical comeback against Kendrick Lamar.

2. A New Tour Announcement – The rapper’s team has promised rescheduled tour dates and possibly additional shows.

3. Silence & Focus on New Music – Drake has, at times, opted to let his music speak for itself, choosing to drop major hits without engaging in back-and-forth drama.

Conclusion: A Hip-Hop Rivalry That Keeps Fans Hooked

The ongoing feud between Drake and Kendrick Lamar remains one of the most intriguing rivalries in hip-hop history. With both artists at the top of their game, the stakes have never been higher. Whether Drake’s tour cancellation is truly due to scheduling conflicts or a strategic retreat, one thing is clear—this battle is far from over.

Will Drake strike back, or will he let Lamar’s Super Bowl diss stand unanswered? Only time will tell, but one thing is for sure—the world is watching. 

Drake’s decision to cancel the final leg of his tour has left fans speculating about the true reasons behind the abrupt change. While the official statement cites a “scheduling conflict,” the timing—just weeks after Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl jab—raises questions about whether external pressures played a role. Given the history of their rivalry, it’s hard to ignore the impact Lamar’s performance had, especially considering the overwhelming public reaction to his diss track.

Despite Drake’s subtle lyrical response at his Melbourne show, it’s clear that the feud is far from over. Whether this cancellation signals a strategic regrouping for Drake or merely a logistical issue remains to be seen. But one thing is certain—hip-hop fans are watching closely, waiting for the next move in this ongoing battle between two of the industry’s biggest stars.

As both artists continue to dominate the charts and headlines, the question remains: Will Drake come back stronger with his own statement, or is Lamar’s Super Bowl moment the defining blow in their feud? Only time will tell.

Stay tuned for updates on Drake’s next move, and let us know—do you think he’s planning a comeback diss, or is this just another chapter in their long-standing rivalry?