Kendrick Lamar Defeats Drake, But The Battle For The Soul Of Hip-Hop Isn’t Over Yet.
The confrontation between Kendrick Lamar and Drake is always a hot topic in the Hip-Hop industry. Recently, Kendrick Lamar scored a decisive victory when he released the video for his hit “Not Like Us” on July 4, just in time for America’s Independence Day. Not only did Kendrick assert his talent, but he also used strong messages to mock Drake.
In the video, Kendrick and his fiancee Whitney Alford dance with their children, creating a warm family image. This directly counters Drake’s accusations that Kendrick mistreated Alford. Kendrick also did not hesitate to criticize Drake for defaming his opponent in the rap song “6:16 in LA”.
The battle between Kendrick and Drake is not only a musical rivalry, but also a debate about the right to represent the soul of Hip-Hop. Kendrick has challenged Drake’s authenticity, insisting that Drake is not truly African-American, an argument he reiterated during his “Ken and Friends” concert on June 19.
This confrontation highlights a notable trend in Hip-Hop: rappers are starting to defend women and girls. Kendrick’s “Not Like Us” condemns the abuse of women and girls, something rarely seen in major Hip-Hop songs since Tupac’s “Keep Ya Head Up.”
Although Kendrick was considered the clear winner, this battle raised many questions about the social responsibility of Hip-Hop artists. Accusations of misogyny from both sides have been controversial, but Kendrick’s strong assertion against predatory and misogynistic behavior has left a positive mark.
In the end, Kendrick Lamar not only won over Drake in this confrontation but also contributed to changing perceptions about the role of rappers in protecting and honoring women. However, the battle for the soul of Hip-Hop still continues, and the core values of this music genre are still being shaped and protected.