Kendrick Lamar vs. Drake: The Feud That Stole the Spotlight at the Oscars Without Them Even Being There

The world of hip-hop has always thrived on competition, and some rivalries have left a lasting impact on the industry. However, few have been as explosive and long-lasting as the feud between Kendrick Lamar and Drake. For over a decade, these two rap giants have battled for dominance, exchanging subliminal shots, lyrical jabs, and strategic diss tracks

Just when fans thought the tension had cooled, the Oscars unexpectedly revived the controversy. Neither Kendrick Lamar nor Drake attended the event, yet their long-standing beef was suddenly brought into the spotlight. This unexpected twist left fans buzzing, with many questioning if the feud had now transcended the world of rap and infiltrated mainstream entertainment.

How It All Began: From Friends to Fierce Competitors

In the early 2010s, Kendrick Lamar and Drake seemed to have mutual respect for each other. Drake even featured Kendrick Lamar on Buried Alive Interlude, a track from his 2011 album Take Care. However, as their careers skyrocketed, competition quickly turned into full-blown rivalry.

The breaking point came in 2013, when Kendrick Lamar delivered a verse that shook the hip-hop world. In his guest appearance on Big Sean’s track Control, Kendrick Lamar directly called out several top rappers, including Drake. His words were bold, unapologetic, and challenged the entire rap game:

“I got love for you all, but I’m trying to murder you.”

This was not just a flex; it was a declaration of war.

The Battle Escalates: Diss Tracks and Hidden Messages

Drake did not respond immediately, but he was clearly affected. Instead of addressing Kendrick Lamar directly, he took subtle jabs through songs like The Language in 2013 and 6PM in New York in 2015. These tracks contained thinly veiled insults, suggesting that Kendrick Lamar was overly aggressive and had an inflated sense of importance.

However, Kendrick Lamar was not one to back down. In 2015, he released King Kunta, a song that fans believed was a direct attack on Drake. The lyrics implied that Drake used ghostwriters, a serious accusation in hip-hop culture. The most brutal attack came in The Heart Part IV in 2017, where Kendrick Lamar rapped:

“A fake king, you ain’t really ‘bout that life.”

This line had the rap world buzzing. Fans debated whether Kendrick Lamar was exposing Drake as an artificial industry product rather than an authentic rapper.

The Oscars Shock: A Feud That Refuses to Die

Fast forward to the 2025 Academy Awards, where nobody expected a hip-hop rivalry to steal the spotlight. The Oscars are known for celebrating the best in film, but a simple comment from the event’s host changed everything.

During a monologue, the host joked about “a certain rapper who’s more of an actor than an artist.” The audience laughed, but hip-hop fans instantly recognized the reference. Many speculated that the comment was aimed directly at Drake, who started his career as an actor on Degrassi before becoming a rapper.

However, there was an even deeper layer to this insult. For years, Drake has faced accusations of using ghostwriters to craft his lyrics. Critics argue that he does not write all his own music, which is considered a major violation of authenticity in hip-hop.

The Oscar joke seemed to reignite this controversy, bringing the Drake vs. Lamar feud back into the mainstream.

The Internet Explodes: Fans Take Sides

Within minutes, social media was flooded with heated debates. Twitter, Instagram, and Reddit became battlegrounds for fans of both artists.

Supporters of Kendrick Lamar celebrated the moment:

• “Kendrick did not even have to be there, and he still won the night!”
• “The Oscars just clowned Drake on a night meant for Hollywood! That’s next-level disrespect.”

Meanwhile, Drake’s fans quickly defended their idol:

• “Drake is bigger than the Oscars. Who cares?”
• “If Drake is ‘just an actor,’ why is he still the most successful rapper of the past decade?”

The debate became so intense that #DrakeVsKendrick started trending worldwide.

Will Kendrick Lamar or Drake respond?

Now that their rivalry has been unexpectedly thrust back into the spotlight, fans are eagerly waiting to see what happens next.

Will Drake respond with a new diss track? He has a history of firing back at critics with music, as seen in his legendary track Back to Back, which crushed Meek Mill during their beef.

Or will Kendrick Lamar strike first? He has remained silent for a long time, but this could be the perfect moment for him to release the ultimate diss track and settle the score once and for all.

Some speculate that both artists might stay quiet, letting fans continue the battle for them. Others believe that the Oscar joke may have lit a fire under one of them, leading to another chapter in this already legendary feud.

A Feud That Will Never End?

Regardless of what happens next, one thing is certain: the war between Kendrick Lamar and Drake is far from over. Their rivalry has defined the last decade of hip-hop, and as long as both are still active, the tension will remain.

Now, thanks to the Oscars, their battle has reached an entirely new audience. Even those who do not follow hip-hop are now aware of the bad blood between these two superstars.

This feud is no longer just about music—it is about legacy, authenticity, and dominance in the industry.

What Do You Think?

Did the Oscars just add fuel to the fire in one of hip-hop’s greatest rivalries? Will Kendrick Lamar or Drake respond?

Let us know your thoughts. Is this the biggest rap feud of all time, or is there still another twist waiting to happen?

The Industry Watches Closely: What Comes Next?

Beyond the fans, the music industry is now paying close attention to what happens next between Kendrick Lamar and Drake. Their rivalry has shaped the hip-hop landscape, influencing countless artists who either take sides or try to avoid getting caught in the crossfire. Record labels, producers, and industry insiders are all wondering: will this renewed tension lead to a new wave of diss tracks, or will both rappers choose to ignore the noise? Either way, the impact of their feud is undeniable, and the Oscars moment has ensured that this battle remains one of the most talked-about conflicts in modern hip-hop history.