Drake vs. Kendrick Lamar: Young Thug Just Picked a Side and Fans Are Furious

In the world of hip-hop, debates about who holds the most influence are never-ending. Recently, Young Thug added his voice to one of the most hotly debated comparisons: Drake vs. Kendrick Lamar. According to the Atlanta rapper, while Kendrick Lamar may be the GOAT of the West Coast, Drake still surpasses him in terms of overall impact on the culture and music industry.

Young Thug’s Livestream With Adin Ross Sparks Controversy

Young Thug recently joined streamer Adin Ross for a live discussion where he shared his candid opinions about some of his peers in the rap game. During the conversation, he was asked to weigh in on who he believes has had a greater influence: Drake or Kendrick Lamar.

Thug didn’t hesitate, giving credit to the Toronto superstar, emphasizing the rapper’s role in shaping the careers of others and dominating charts globally.

“I gotta say Drake. He just did more, he put more people on,” he explained, as captured by @big_business_ on X. “Not saying that Kendrick didn’t put nobody on, but Drake just did more. He put more people on and he got more numbers. Numbers-wise, statistically, impact on the culture, impact on the world.”

By highlighting Drake’s reach, influence, and ability to uplift others, Young Thug underscores a metric that goes beyond just lyrical skill or artistry. It touches on mentorship, commercial success, and cultural imprint—areas where Drake has consistently excelled throughout his career.

Acknowledging Kendrick Lamar’s Legendary Status

Despite favoring Drake, Young Thug didn’t shy away from praising Kendrick Lamar. He referred to Lamar as the “GOAT of the whole West Coast,” recognizing the Compton rapper’s unprecedented contributions to hip-hop and culture.

“Kendrick Lamar got a hell of an impact,” Thug continued. “He’s for sure No. 1 ever in life who could possibly come out of L.A. Nobody in L.A. could never ever ever be better than him. He the GOAT of the whole West Coast, for sure. Well I don’t know, I’d probably say Nipsey, but number-wise… I like Nipsey better too but I think number-wise Kendrick Lamar beat him.”

This statement positions Kendrick as a benchmark for West Coast rap, highlighting his role as a cultural icon whose influence resonates through lyrical depth, critical acclaim, and social commentary.

Friendship and Loyalty Influence Young Thug’s Perspective

Young Thug’s preference for Drake is not surprising considering their long-standing friendship. Over the years, the two have collaborated on numerous projects and supported each other in various capacities. In his new album, UY Scuti, Thug even issued an apology to Drake and others in the rap community.

This apology came after a series of jail calls leaked online, during which Thug made controversial remarks about several peers, including Future, J Cole, Gucci Mane, and Drake. Despite the leaks, Thug’s words in his music reaffirmed his respect for these artists and his intent to maintain camaraderie within the hip-hop community.

The Apology Track: “Miss My Dogs”

In “Miss My Dogs,” Young Thug addresses the fallout from his leaked conversations while reaffirming his loyalty to Drake:

“Drizzy, you my brother / You know I ain’t goin’ against you, I got manners / Everything you did for the rap community, can’t ban you / Never diss you, came to visit me at Cobb County like my kin do / Fck the jail call, you know the other calls we had / Tryna get you, Metro and Pluto on the same page / The internet don’t know ’bout it ’cause real n*s don’t say / Real n**s do and I learned that from you.”

The track illustrates Young Thug’s respect for mentorship, friendship, and professional courtesy. It also reinforces the idea that influence in hip-hop isn’t just about numbers but about building relationships and shaping the next generation of artists.

Drake’s Influence in Hip-Hop

Drake’s influence in hip-hop extends far beyond music charts. Young Thug’s remarks highlight several aspects of Drake’s impact:

Mentorship and Opportunities—Drake has historically helped elevate emerging artists, from Lil Baby to Travis Scott, expanding the reach of their music.

Global Reach—With record-breaking streaming numbers, Drake has made Canadian hip-hop a global phenomenon, proving that rap can dominate worldwide charts.

Cultural Influence—From memes to fashion trends, Drake’s work resonates beyond music, shaping mainstream culture.

Collaborative Power—Through strategic collaborations, Drake has consistently fostered synergy across the hip-hop industry, benefiting both himself and other artists.

Young Thug emphasizes these points to explain why, in his view, Drake’s overall impact surpasses even the legendary Kendrick Lamar.

Kendrick Lamar: The West Coast GOAT

Despite the praise for Drake, Young Thug makes it clear that Kendrick Lamar remains an irreplaceable figure in hip-hop, particularly for the West Coast. Kendrick’s artistry is critically acclaimed, with albums like good kid, m.A.A.d city, To Pimp a Butterfly, and DAMN. setting a benchmark for lyrical excellence and cultural commentary.

Artistic Influence: Kendrick’s ability to combine storytelling with social awareness has inspired countless rappers.

Critical Acclaim: With multiple Grammy Awards and a Pulitzer Prize, Lamar’s contributions are recognized across the industry.

Cultural Significance: His music often addresses systemic issues, personal struggle, and community upliftment, making his work deeply resonant.

Even though Drake may edge Kendrick in terms of numbers and mentorship, Kendrick’s artistic legacy remains unmatched in Thug’s eyes.

The Role of Friendship in Hip-Hop Opinions

Young Thug’s perspective also reflects the importance of personal relationships in hip-hop. Friendships, collaborations, and mentorship often influence how artists view one another’s impact. While numbers and awards matter, mutual respect and personal experiences weigh heavily in these discussions.

Thug’s comments about Drake demonstrate:

Loyalty to collaborators and friends

Acknowledgment of mentorship and career support

Recognition that influence extends beyond personal achievements

This perspective sheds light on why Young Thug may favor Drake over Kendrick Lamar, even while acknowledging Lamar’s unmatched artistry.

Public Reactions and Fan Debates

Young Thug’s statements have sparked lively debates among fans, with supporters of both Drake and Kendrick Lamar weighing in. Common discussion points include:

Impact vs. Artistry: While Drake may have broader global influence, Kendrick is revered for artistic integrity and depth.

Mentorship Role: Drake’s contributions to emerging artists are widely acknowledged, adding to his perceived cultural impact.

Cultural Reach: Fans debate which artist has shaped mainstream culture more effectively, considering fashion, slang, and social trends.

The discussion illustrates how the hip-hop community evaluates success through multiple lenses, from commercial achievement to artistic legacy.

Young Thug’s Respect Across the Industry

Despite the controversy surrounding his leaked jail calls, Young Thug has consistently shown respect for his peers. His latest remarks reaffirm that:

Professional respect outweighs rumors or online chatter

Acknowledgment of cultural impact matters

Personal relationships shape opinions in the music industry

By emphasizing Drake’s mentorship and Kendrick Lamar’s artistry, Thug provides a nuanced take on the complex hierarchy of influence in hip-hop.

Young Thug’s claim that Drake’s impact surpasses Kendrick Lamar’s underscores an ongoing debate in the hip-hop world. While Kendrick remains the GOAT of the West Coast, Drake’s global reach, mentorship, and cultural influence make him a dominant figure in contemporary music.

Through candid livestreams and heartfelt tracks like “Miss My Dogs,” Thug highlights the importance of respect, loyalty, and influence in assessing an artist’s legacy. Fans continue to discuss these opinions, reflecting the dynamic and evolving nature of hip-hop culture.

Ultimately, the debate between Drake vs. Kendrick Lamar is not just about who is better, but about understanding the different ways artists impact music, culture, and the lives of their peers. Young Thug’s perspective adds a unique layer to this ongoing conversation, balancing personal experience with broader cultural observations.