Drake Faces Major Social Media Fallout After Kendrick Lamar Diss Track

Drake’s fan base has taken a massive hit since his highly publicized rap feud with Kendrick Lamar, a battle that escalated in April 2024 and ultimately saw the Canadian rapper on the losing end. The fallout from Lamar’s explosive diss track, “Not Like Us”, has been substantial—not just in reputation but also in social media influence.

Recent reports indicate that Drake has lost millions of followers across his social platforms, with Instagram seeing the most significant drop. The findings, analyzed by mystery box site Cases.gg using data from Social Blade, reveal a stark decline that coincides directly with the release of Lamar’s hit diss track, which secured five Grammy Awards and cemented its status as one of the most impactful rap songs in recent history.

Drake’s Plummeting Instagram Followers: A Direct Impact of the Rap Feud

Drake’s Instagram handle, @champagnepapi, has experienced a steep decline in followers, with over 3 million fans unfollowing him since his beef with Lamar went viral. At the beginning of their rap battle in April 2024, Drake boasted an impressive 146.7 million followers. However, after Lamar’s “Not Like Us” dropped in May 2024, that number dwindled to 143.4 million and continues to decrease.

While celebrities frequently experience fluctuations in their follower count, the significant loss is believed to be a direct response to Drake’s publicized defeat in the feud. The track “Not Like Us” became a cultural phenomenon, leading to widespread criticism of Drake and major discussions about his past controversies.

How the Feud Escalated and Turned Against Drake

The feud between Drake and Kendrick Lamar reached new heights in May 2024 when Lamar kept the pressure on by releasing the diss track “6:16 in LA”, where he alleged that Drake had a mole leaking personal details about him. Within hours, Drake fired back with “Family Matters”, taking personal jabs at Lamar’s relationship with fiancée Whitney Alford.

Lamar responded with “Meet the Grahams”, which took things to another level by calling Drake a “deadbeat father” and implying that he had a secret child aside from his son, Adonis. He also accused Drake of alcohol and gambling issues and even referenced allegations about dating much younger women.

Then came “Not Like Us”—the song that changed everything. The track not only dominated streaming charts but also became an anthem for Lamar’s supporters. Its impact was undeniable, as it topped the Billboard Hot 100 and won multiple prestigious awards, including Song of the Year and Best Rap Performance at the 2025 Grammy Awards.

Drake’s Attempt to Recover – But Is It Too Late?

Despite addressing Lamar’s allegations in “The Heart Pt. 6”, released on May 5, 2024, it appeared that the damage had already been done. By May 13, “Not Like Us” had solidified its place as the song of the year, and the rap community had largely declared Lamar the winner of the battle.

The effects of this public loss weren’t just limited to social media. Drake’s reputation within the hip-hop industry has taken a hit, and his fan engagement online has significantly dropped. Fans who once defended him have either gone silent or shifted support to Kendrick Lamar.

Drake’s Career Moving Forward: A Glimmer of Hope?

Although his social media presence has taken a hit, Drake is far from finished. He recently announced that he will be headlining the Wireless Festival in London this summer—a move that indicates he is still capable of drawing massive crowds despite the ongoing controversy.

Reports suggest that tickets for the festival sold out almost instantly following the announcement of Drake as the headliner. This suggests that while his social media following may be declining, his ability to sell out arenas and attract live audiences remains strong.

However, the situation raises important questions about how much impact social media has on an artist’s long-term career. Can Drake rebuild his influence and fan engagement? Will he ever fully recover from the damage caused by the Kendrick Lamar feud?

Industry Experts Weigh In

Gabriele Asaro, head of research at Cases.gg, shared insights into their findings, emphasizing the potential long-term effects of the feud on Drake’s career.

“Kendrick’s diss track winning Song of the Year highlights its huge impact. We dug into Drake’s social channels and found that since its release a year ago, he’s been losing hundreds of thousands of followers every month, where he was previously gaining them at a similar rate.”

Asaro further explained that this is a prime example of how rap feuds can backfire, stating:

“It goes to show how battling the wrong opponent can cost you more than just bragging rights. In Drake’s case, his feud with Kendrick Lamar didn’t just damage his reputation—it’s actively affecting his influence and fan base. Meanwhile, Lamar’s track is winning some of the biggest music awards, which has got to hurt a little.”

Drake Isn’t the Only Celebrity to Lose Followers Over Controversy

Drake isn’t the only public figure to experience a major social media fallout this year. Other celebrities have faced similar backlash, with fans quickly turning against them after controversial events:

• Kim Kardashian and Snoop Dogg lost hundreds of thousands of followers after showing support for Donald Trump at his inauguration.

• Selena Gomez experienced a follower drop amid backlash surrounding her Oscar-nominated film Emilia Pérez.

• Even Travis Scott saw a social media decline after the Astroworld Festival tragedy, although his music sales remained strong.

This further proves that public perception on social media can shift drastically, even for the biggest stars.

Final Thoughts: Can Drake Make a Comeback?

Drake’s loss of millions of followers is undoubtedly a wake-up call for the rap star, showing that even the most established artists can take a hit from public perception. However, the fact that he still sells out massive festivals suggests that his career isn’t over.

While social media numbers don’t tell the whole story, they do reflect a significant shift in fan loyalty. It remains to be seen whether Drake can rebuild his influence or if this feud will leave a permanent stain on his legacy.

For now, one thing is clear: Kendrick Lamar walked away from this battle victorious, and Drake is left picking up the pieces.