Drake’s Rap Beefs: A Journey Through Hip-Hop Feuds
Aubrey Drake Graham, known simply as Drake, has been one of the most influential figures in hip-hop for over a decade. With immense popularity comes scrutiny and, at times, conflict. Throughout his career, Drake has been involved in several high-profile rap beefs. Here’s a rundown of his most notable conflicts and how they began.
1. Meek Mill (Opp. Rating: B+)
Initial Reason:
The beef between Drake and Meek Mill began in July 2015 when Meek accused Drake of using ghostwriters for his lyrics. Meek Mill took to Twitter to express his frustration, stating that Drake did not write his verse for their collaboration on “R.I.C.O.” from Meek's album *Dreams Worth More Than Money*.
Key Moments:
- **Charged Up:** Drake’s first response was relatively mild with this track, where he addressed the accusations.
- **Back to Back:** This diss track, released shortly after, was a more direct and scathing critique of Meek Mill, even earning a Grammy nomination.
- **Wanna Know:** Meek Mill’s response track, which failed to gain the same traction as Drake’s disses.
2. Pusha T(Opp. Rating: A-)
Initial Reason:
The feud between Drake and Pusha T dates back to the early 2010s and is rooted in the long-standing tension between Lil Wayne (Drake’s mentor) and Pusha T. However, the conflict intensified when Pusha T accused Drake of not writing his own raps on the track “Infrared” from his 2018 album *Daytona*.
Key Moments:
- **Duppy Freestyle:** Drake’s response to “Infrared” where he addressed Pusha T and Kanye West, calling out their accusations.
- **The Story of Adidon:** Pusha T’s brutal comeback, revealing Drake’s secret son and questioning his integrity and character. This track shifted the beef to a more personal level.
3. Kanye West(Opp. Rating: A)
Initial Reason:
Drake and Kanye West have had a complicated relationship, moving from collaborators to rivals. Tensions began to rise around 2018, partially due to Kanye’s involvement in producing Pusha T’s “Infrared.” Drake felt betrayed by Kanye, whom he believed had shared personal information with Pusha T.
Key Moments:
- **In My Feelings:** Fans speculated that lyrics in this song referred to Kanye’s wife, Kim Kardashian, which added fuel to the fire.
- **Public Feuds:** The two have exchanged jabs through social media and interviews, with Drake often hinting at deeper issues between them.
4. Common(Opp. Rating: B+)
Initial Reason:
The conflict between Drake and Common began over a love triangle involving Serena Williams. Common’s track “Sweet” took shots at Drake without naming him, calling out rappers who sing, which was interpreted as a dig at Drake’s style.
Key Moments:
- **Stay Schemin’:** Drake responded with a verse on this track by Rick Ross, addressing Common’s accusations.
- **The Dreamer/The Believer:** Common retaliated with direct shots at Drake, calling him out explicitly.
5. Joe Budden(Opp. Rating: D-)
Initial Reason:
Joe Budden criticized Drake’s 2016 album *Views* in a podcast, calling it uninspired. This sparked a series of exchanges between the two.
Key Moments:
- **Making a Murderer (Part 1):** Joe Budden’s diss track aimed at Drake, highlighting his disappointment in Drake’s recent work.
- **No Shopping:** Drake’s verse in this French Montana song was perceived as a subtle jab at Joe Budden.
- **Wake:** Another diss track from Joe Budden targeting Drake, further escalating the beef.
6. Chris Brown(Opp. Rating: A+)
Initial Reason:
The beef between Drake and Chris Brown started in 2012, reportedly over their mutual romantic involvement with Rihanna. A nightclub brawl in New York City left several people injured and solidified their feud.
Key Moments:
- **Diss Tracks and Social Media:** Both artists took shots at each other through music and social media.
- **Collaboration:** In 2019, the two seemingly squashed their beef, collaborating on the track “No Guidance.”
7. Tory Lanez(Opp. Rating: C+)
Initial Reason:
The rivalry between Drake and Tory Lanez is rooted in their shared hometown of Toronto and a perceived competition for the city’s rap crown. Tensions flared when Tory took shots at Drake in interviews and freestyles.
Key Moments:
- **Subliminal Disses:** Both artists have taken subliminal shots at each other in various tracks over the years.
- **Peace Offering:** In 2017, the two appeared to have reconciled, with Tory posting a photo of them together on Instagram.
Conclusion
Drake’s rap beefs have shaped much of his career, adding layers to his public persona and influencing his music. Each conflict has its unique origins and outcomes, reflecting the complex dynamics of the hip-hop world. Despite these feuds, Drake continues to dominate the charts, proving his resilience and staying power in the industry.
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