Kendrick Lamar Says The Intent Behind His Music & Beef w/ Drake Was To ‘Keep The Nature Of Rap As A Sport’

Kendrick Lamar Says The Intent Behind His Music & Beef w/ Drake Was To ‘Keep The Nature Of Rap As A Sport’

Kendrick Lamar recently opened up about the passion behind his rap career and his beef with Drake.

Ahead of his Super Bowl performance this Sunday (Feb. 9), Kendrick sat down with Ebro and Nadeska Alexis via Apple Music to reflect on his musical journey and his decision to battle Drake last summer.

Speaking on why he makes music and his approach to rap battles, Kendrick shared:

“My intent from day one was to keep the nature of it as a sport. I don’t care how motherf***ers look at it as far as like a collaborative effort. That’s cool too, but I love when artists grit they teeth.”

Paying homage to old-school battle rap, he added:

“I still watch battle raps, I still watch Smack URL—from Murda Mook to Lux to Tay Roc, my bro Daylyt. This has always been the core definition of who I am. It’s been that way since day one, so I don’t think it was just a thing for this year. It was always a continuum.”

 

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Kendrick, who dominated his rap feud with Drake in the eyes of many, had an unforgettable 2024—releasing the #1 single and song of the summer, “Not Like Us,” which recently won five awards at this year’s Grammys.

The Compton native went on to say that while some fans may have been surprised by his decision to go head-to-head with Drake, he doesn’t feel the feud was off-brand for him at all.

Do you agree with Kendrick’s take on rap?