“In search of a chord, maybe A-minor.”
Kendrick Lamar’s iconic line reverberated worldwide during last weekend’s Super Bowl event.
Approximately 127 million viewers witnessed the rapper flash a sly grin at the camera as he delivered the lyric – a pointed jab at his longtime adversary Drake.
Extracted from his Grammy-winning track “Not Like Us,” the line alludes to allegations against the Canadian artist involving relationships with underage individuals – claims he has refuted.
As 70,000 spectators inside Caesars Superdome in New Orleans belted out the words with him, it seemed like Kendrick’s strategic move in their ongoing feud.
The conflict has been public, personal, and trivial, but Kendrick hints at a broader battle he is fighting.
His target is not just Drake, but what he symbolizes.
“Drake embodies the current state of the hip-hop scene,” remarks Margs, a London-based rapper known for hosting rap battles on his channel Pen Game.
The Canadian artist has achieved massive commercial success – named the most streamed artist of the 2010s, boasting 143 million Instagram followers, and a staple on party playlists and nightclub rotations.
His style is catchy and accessible, blending singing with rapping.
In essence, he is as much a pop icon as he is a rapper, setting the trend for others to follow.
“Some view him as responsible for diluting the essence of the genre,” Margs explains.
“There are those who enjoy the commercial aspect of music for mere entertainment without depth, while others appreciate the authentic hip-hop culture.”
This is a culture Kendrick Lamar is determined to uphold and honor.
Prior to the Super Bowl performance, he expressed concerns about the genre losing its edge.
“When people discuss rap music, the conversations I hear suggest it’s merely rhyming, overlooking its artistic value,” he voiced.
Kendrick also criticized reducing rap to a catchy tune or verse, attributing his rivalry with Drake to a larger issue of sidelining rap.
“There was a lack of rawness, no edge anymore. That perspective always influenced my music,” he remarked.
While some argue that Drake’s mainstream appeal diminishes his credibility as a rapper, his former adversary Common has defended him as a skilled MC whose popularity does not undermine his talent.
Nevertheless, Kendrick Lamar remains fervent about rap as an art form, emphasizing the significance of “Not Like Us” and the honor of headlining the halftime show as the first solo hip-hop artist.
“Representing it on this platform means everything to me – it encapsulates my dedication to the culture which I cherish,” he emphasized.
Hip-hop, a genre with a half-century legacy, has historically been a vehicle for protest.
Margs laments the genre’s departure from its origins, noting a shift from message-driven content to present-day trends.
“Hip-hop was once deeply political, with artists using their voices to protest and advocate
After Donald Trump’s re-election coincided with the Super Bowl, the conversation among the hip-hop community has shifted to a different kind of competition – one rooted in the essence of the genre itself.
Renowned hip-hop artist Kendrick Lamar, known for his thought-provoking lyrics and unique storytelling, delved into the topic of battle rap and its enduring significance in the realm of rap music. Drawing parallels between rap battles and sports, Kendrick emphasized the raw, unfiltered nature of these face-offs, where artists engage in verbal sparring to showcase their lyrical prowess and creativity.
For Kendrick, battle rap serves as a fundamental element in shaping his artistry, providing him with the necessary edge and authenticity that he believes is integral to his music. “I still watch battle raps, this has always been the core definition of who I am and it’s been this way since day one,” Kendrick remarked, underscoring the enduring influence of this competitive form of expression on his career.
While Kendrick’s advocacy for battle rap as a crucible for artistic development resonates with some in the hip-hop community, emerging talents like Layyah are exploring alternative paths to success. As the first female rapper to triumph on The Rap Game UK, Layyah chooses to forge her own artistic identity outside the realm of battle rap, drawing inspiration from artists like Central Cee who have achieved acclaim through diverse creative avenues.
The evolving landscape of hip-hop, characterized by a proliferation of platforms and styles, has led to a reevaluation of traditional notions of success within the genre. Layyah’s perspective reflects this shift, emphasizing the importance of creating impactful music that resonates with audiences in an era where viral sensations often eclipse the subtleties of lyricism and skill displayed in battle rap.
While the debate between the merits of battle rap and more mainstream approaches to hip-hop continues, the recent feud between Kendrick Lamar and Drake has captured the attention of fans and industry insiders alike. Following the release of Kendrick’s track “Not Like Us,” which ignited a war of words between the two artists, speculation has swirled about the resolution of their conflict.
Drake’s latest offering, “Gimme a Hug,” hints at a desire to move past the feud and focus on the music, signaling a potential truce in the ongoing rivalry. However, the specter of a legal battle looms large, underscoring the complex interplay between artistry and legal disputes in the world of hip-hop.
Despite the intensity of these verbal sparring matches, there remains a sense of camaraderie and respect among artists in the battle rap community. As Margs aptly points out, the competitive spirit of battle rap is tempered by a code of sportsmanship, where adversaries can set aside their differences and pay homage to each other’s skills after the final bar is dropped.
In a music industry characterized by rapid evolution and shifting paradigms, the enduring appeal of battle rap as a crucible for artistic expression reflects the resilience and creativity
