Music
Apple Music's Replay: Kendrick Lamar Wins Drake Feud
2024-12-07
It's no longer a question as Kendrick Lamar has officially won the long-standing rap feud between him and Drake. This victory is not just a matter of opinion but is backed by significant streaming data. Apple Music, a major streaming giant, has declared Kendrick's diss track "Not Like Us" as the Global Song of the Year, placing it at the top of its year-end streaming list. This critically-acclaimed track has not only smashed streaming records but is also nominated for five Grammys, further solidifying its status.
Kendrick Lamar's "Not Like Us" Shakes Up the Rap Scene
The Streaming Battle
In May, the scathing diss track "Not Like Us" dropped and quickly gained massive popularity. It became the most streamed song on Apple Music, amassing millions of streams within hours. Not only that, but it also took the second spot on Spotify after Sabrina Carpenter's "Espresso," while Drake's "Rich Baby Daddy" featuring SZA and Sexyy Red only reached #26. This shows the overwhelming impact of "Not Like Us" on the streaming charts.The track also made history by debuting at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and spending an astonishing 21 weeks at the top of the Billboard Rap Songs chart. Currently, it has over 900 million streams on Spotify alone, making it a true streaming phenomenon.The Legal Dispute
Drake's lawsuit against Universal Music Group has added another layer to this already intense feud. He alleged that the record company "launched a campaign to manipulate and saturate the streaming services and airwaves…in order to make [Not Like Us] go viral, including by using ‘bots’ and pay-to-play agreements." However, Universal Music Group has strongly denied these claims, stating that they employ the highest ethical practices in their marketing and promotional campaigns.The suggestion that UMG would undermine its artists is offensive and untrue. The fans' choice of music is what truly matters, and "Not Like Us" has clearly resonated with them.The Long History of the Feud
The rappers have been feuding since 2013, with both releasing multiple diss tracks against one another. Kendrick's "Euphoria," "Meet the Grahams," and Drake's "First Person Shooter" and "Taylor Made Freestyle" are just some of the tracks that have added fuel to the fire.It seems that Drake's lawsuit, claiming economic harm and defamation of character, may be a sign that he is struggling to accept defeat in this decade-long rap beef against the Pulitzer Prize-winning rapper.Click here to follow the Mirror US on Google News to stay updated with all the latest news, sport, and entertainment stories.Sign up to our FREE newsletter and get the top stories delivered straight to your inbox.