Jagmeet Singh Says He Was There for SZA — But Did Kendrick Lamar Just Use Him as a Pawn in the War with Drake?

The Kendrick Lamar vs. Drake feud has never been just a lyrical exchange. It’s become a multi-layered cultural spectacle—rife with symbolism, coded messages, celebrity cameos, and unexpected alliances. But now, it has entered completely uncharted territory with the surprising involvement of Canadian politician Jagmeet Singh.

Last week, Singh posted a photo on Instagram with SZA, claiming he was there to support her at a surprise appearance she made at a private Kendrick Lamar event in Toronto. While this might’ve looked like a wholesome cultural crossover at first, fans and political analysts alike are beginning to ask a serious question: Was Jagmeet Singh just an innocent supporter, or did Kendrick Lamar cleverly use him as a pawn in his ongoing war against Drake?

And the deeper we dive into this tangled web, the more it looks like Singh may have walked into something much bigger than he ever expected.

Jagmeet Singh: The Progressive Politician Who’s Always Courted Pop Culture

Jagmeet Singh, leader of Canada’s New Democratic Party (NDP), has long leaned into his identity as a modern, progressive politician who embraces youth culture. Whether it’s riding his bike in Brampton, wearing high-end streetwear, or posting dance challenges on TikTok, Singh has never shied away from blending politics with pop.

So when photos surfaced of Singh backstage with SZA, fans were quick to celebrate the moment. Some praised his consistent support for Black artists, women in music, and the arts community in general. Others joked that Singh was finally leveling up in the cool politician Olympics—Obama walked so Jagmeet could vibe.

But it wasn’t until Kendrick Lamar’s team posted footage from that night—footage in which SZA is seen embracing Singh moments before taking the stage during Lamar’s impromptu “Pop Out” performance—that theories began to swirl.

The Context: Kendrick vs. Drake Has Reached Global Chessboard Status

To understand the potential implications of this moment, you need to grasp just how strategic and symbolic the war between Kendrick Lamar and Drake has become. What started as subliminals and coded disses between two of the most influential rappers alive has now evolved into a public psychological battle where every co-sign, every stage guest, and every lyric could have political or cultural ramifications.

Kendrick’s recent “Pop Out” event in Toronto was the boldest act yet in this rivalry. Not only did he fly into Drake’s home turf, but he also assembled a lineup of performers and guests that essentially read like a “who’s not on Drake’s side” list. From Mustard to YG, from SZA to Tyler, the Creator (rumored to have been invited), Kendrick’s carefully curated show was dripping in symbolism.

So when Jagmeet Singh showed up—a sitting Canadian MP, no less—it wasn’t just a photo-op. It felt like a political chess move being made in the middle of a cultural war.

The Night in Question: Did Kendrick Plan This All Along?

According to multiple sources close to the event, SZA’s appearance wasn’t even officially announced. Kendrick had orchestrated her walk-on performance as a surprise for the crowd, blending R&B softness with West Coast muscle. And right before she emerged, the camera pans backstage to show Singh hugging her and smiling.

The moment seemed innocent, but Kendrick Lamar’s fans are not casual observers. They dissect every frame, every interaction. When SZA hugged Singh, one fan tweeted, “Kendrick just weaponized the leader of the NDP. I’ve seen it all.”

Another user asked the more pointed question: “Does Singh even know what he just stepped into?”

To make matters more compelling, Kendrick has a long history of using cultural figures strategically—whether it’s sampling famous speeches, invoking social justice imagery, or performing with unexpected guests who add a layer of commentary to his work. Could Singh, the progressive brown politician who has publicly criticized the Canadian establishment, be the perfect contrast to Drake, a biracial Canadian megastar often criticized for playing the political center?

Singh’s Statement: Too Harmless to Be True?

When questioned about the appearance, Jagmeet Singh brushed it off as a fun night. “I’ve always loved SZA’s music,” he said. “It was great to support her and Kendrick, two amazing artists using their platforms to inspire.”

But critics weren’t satisfied. While Singh claimed it was all “about the music,” others began to analyze the optics of the situation. Kendrick Lamar, the master of political subtext, doesn’t just invite someone backstage during a career-defining show unless there’s a message behind it.

Was Singh’s very presence a statement about the kind of Canada Kendrick sees—or wants to challenge? Was this Kendrick’s way of subtly mocking Drake’s cozy relationship with the mainstream political elite by showing he has the grassroots leader of Canada’s progressive party in his corner?

Or, more darkly, was Kendrick simply using Singh’s popularity to legitimize his position in the beef? After all, nothing says “I’m on the right side of history” like being photographed next to the country’s most visible minority politician.

The Social Media Firestorm: Fans Pick Sides

Online, the incident has sparked massive debate. Some are heralding Jagmeet Singh as the most culturally in-touch politician in North America, praising him for aligning with artists who stand for something deeper than chart dominance. Others are more critical, accusing Singh of letting himself be “used” in a narrative he didn’t fully understand.

One viral post read:
“It’s not just about being there for SZA. It’s about what that presence means in the middle of a musical cold war. Kendrick’s too smart for this to be random.”

Another tweet, even more direct, asked:
“Was Jagmeet Singh Kendrick’s pawn or his proof that Drake is the establishment?”

These questions have only grown louder since Drake responded indirectly on Instagram, posting a photo of himself shaking hands with Toronto’s mayor, captioned: “City still loves me.” Fans saw that as a subtle jab at Kendrick’s infiltration attempt—and an attempt to reassert his role as the city’s cultural ambassador.

The Bigger Picture: Politics, Pop, and Power Collide

What’s truly fascinating about this moment isn’t just the feud—it’s how seamlessly culture and politics have collided. We’re watching a Grammy-winning rapper and a Canadian MP become entangled in a web of symbolism, messaging, and identity politics that neither of them can fully control.

This isn’t new for Kendrick Lamar, whose albums often explore racial identity, institutional power, and generational trauma. But using real-world political figures to punctuate those themes marks a new level of narrative control—and possible manipulation.

For Jagmeet Singh, the stakes are different. He’s already fighting to keep the NDP relevant in a tight federal political race. Appearing at a high-profile music event might win him favor with younger voters, but if it starts to look like he’s inserting himself into hip-hop beef, it could backfire.

Final Thoughts: Pawn or Player?

So was Jagmeet Singh a pawn in Kendrick’s war against Drake? Or was he an independent player who happened to walk into the middle of hip-hop history?

The truth, as always, probably lies somewhere in between.

It’s clear that Kendrick Lamar is playing chess, not checkers. Every stage, every lyric, and every guest is a piece in a larger game. Jagmeet Singh may have thought he was just there for SZA, but by standing beside her on Kendrick’s stage in Toronto, in Drake’s backyard, during one of the most strategic musical feuds in years—he became part of something bigger.

Maybe he was used. Maybe he was complicit. But either way, he was there. And that image—Singh with SZA, in Kendrick’s camp, smiling like it was all love—might go down as one of the most fascinating cultural snapshots of this entire war.

In a battle where the lines between art, politics, and performance are constantly blurring, even a politician in a turban might end up playing a critical role. Whether he intended to or not.