With Drake supposedly releasing his Kendrick Lamar response Friday — the same day as Future and Metro Boomin’s new album — two Billboard Hip-Hop writers debate the feud’s frontrunner.

After J. Cole entered and then publicly stepped away from the ongoing “Battle of the Big 3” last weekend, all eyes have turned to Drake for his response to Kendrick Lamar’s pot-stirring “Like That” verse from March. With Drake rumored to finally be weighing in with a new song on Friday — the same release day as We Still Don’t Trust You, sequel to the album that originally unleashed “Like That” on the world — the beef between the two rap legends seems to be coming to a head. Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop writer Michael Saponara and deputy ed. director Damien Scott present the cases for each rapper to be considered the fight’s favorite.

Why Drake Will Win 

“A Kurupt quote backstage fueled Drake throughout his It’s All A Blur – Big as the What? Tour with J. Cole, stating, ‘As long as there’s competition, there will never be peace. Everyone wants to be the one.’ While J. Cole bowed out, it’s evident that only one co-headliner truly embraced this mindset. With Drake’s extensive experience in rap battles, he seems poised to dominate the impending clash with Kendrick Lamar, a showdown that’s been brewing for over a decade.

Despite fears of facing hip-hop’s intimidating figure from Compton, Drake has proven himself as a battle-hardened rapper. From his fiery exchanges with Common on “Stay Schemin'” to knocking down Diddy with “4PM in Calabasas,” and notably burying Meek Mill with “Back to Back,” Drake has showcased his prowess amidst his commercial success and crossover appeal.

“We wrote the book on calculated thinking,” Drake reminded listeners during a victory lap on More Life’s “Lose You” in 2018. For those who doubt his abilities, a revisit to “Back to Back” serves as a potent reminder. The track dominated clubs in the summer of 2015, reaching No. 21 on the Hot 100 and dealing a decisive blow to Meek Mill’s reputation, leaving a lasting impact on his legacy. Drake stands as a rare breed in the rap world, capable of crafting scathing diss tracks that not only damage his opponent’s career but also contend for the title of song of the summer.”

While Kendrick and Drake are expected to trade potent lyrical blows, Drake holds the upper hand in terms of commercial appeal for a solo diss track. The OVO team is likely working tirelessly to uncover dirt on the elusive K. Dot, and if the feud spills onto social media, Drake’s adeptness in navigating such arenas will serve him well, given his penchant for pettiness.

Drake is known for his strategic approach to artistry, so it will be intriguing to see whether he focuses solely on dissing Kendrick or expands the scope by involving his “Like That” collaborators Future and Metro Boomin. Such a move would not only set him apart but also reshape the hierarchy in the rap world, compelling industry collaborators to pick sides as the feud escalates.

Rumors suggest Drake may drop his response on Friday, coinciding with the release of Future and Metro Boomin’s “We Still Don’t Trust You.” Teasers of Drake wearing a Vybez Kartel t-shirt earlier in the week hint at a bold move to directly challenge the Atlanta duo, potentially halting their momentum and vying for chart supremacy.

With Kendrick targeting Drake primarily on “Like That,” reigniting their longstanding feud dating back to Lamar’s impactful “Control” verse, the stage is set for Drake to redeem himself from the fallout of his 2018 beef with Pusha T. Despite his otherwise untarnished record, Drake’s retreat from that confrontation following Pusha’s “Story of Adidon,” which exposed Drake’s son Adonis, was guided by J. Prince’s counsel, who deemed a response would “hurt families.”

Drake holding his own in a Kendrick battle would go a long way to making up for that legacy-tarnishing moment. And reining supreme over K. Dot, with Drake holding up the figurative championship belt in the battle of the “Big Three,” would give even the biggest OVO haters no choice but to bend the knee to the 6 God. — MICHAEL SAPONARA

Why Kendrick Lamar Will Win

Let’s address the obvious: when it comes to battle-tested rappers, Drake stands out. He’s the only one who has moved beyond subtle disses and crafted songs with the explicit aim of inflicting career-ending damage. The pinnacle of this approach? Undoubtedly, 2015’s “Back to Back,” a track that forced the rap community to reassess Meek Mill’s standing in the genre.

However, despite Drake’s formidable track record, Kendrick Lamar is poised to emerge victorious in this showdown.

Sure, there’s the well-worn joke that Kendrick appears like the Boogie Man, dropping a verse that shakes up the industry before retreating until his next project. But here’s the thing: how many other rappers can command the same level of attention with just a few lines? Kendrick’s ability to captivate fans with minimal output speaks volumes.

It’s true that Kendrick hasn’t engaged in a full-blown battle like Drake, but that’s more a reflection of his opponents than his own capabilities. Kendrick’s silence doesn’t indicate incapacity; rather, it’s a testament to his strategic approach.

To borrow from Carl Sagan, the absence of evidence is not evidence of absence. Just because Kendrick hasn’t unleashed a full-on assault doesn’t mean he lacks the ability to do so. His recent warning shots aimed at Cole and Drake serve as proof that he’s more than capable of dismantling any challenger.

While lines like “f–k the Big 3, n—a, it’s just big me” from “Like That” grabbed headlines, Kendrick’s verse is packed with potent bars that underscore his readiness for battle. Whether it’s “I’ll crash out, like ‘F–k rap,’ diss Melle Mel if I had to” or “I hope them sentiments symbolic, my temperament’s bipolar, I choose violence,” Kendrick leaves no doubt about his preparedness.

In the end, whichever door you choose leads to the same conclusion: Kendrick Lamar is primed and ready for whatever comes his way.

The last time Kendrick Lamar unleashed such fervor in a song aimed at a rapper was back in 2017 with “The Heart Part 4,” where it’s widely believed he took shots at Big Sean, with whom he had reportedly been feuding since the infamous “Control” incident in 2013. While the shots were mostly subliminal, the intensity of Kendrick’s verses was undeniable:

“My fans can’t wait for me to son ya punk-ass And crush ya whole lil’ s–t I’ll Big Pun ya punk-ass, you a scared lil’ b—h Tiptoein’ around my name, n—a, you lame And when I get at you, homie Don’t you just tell me you was just playin’.”

The potency of Kendrick’s words prompted Big Sean to reach out to TDE’s Top Dawg, seeking clarification. The ensuing private conversation between Sean and Kendrick resulted in Sean acknowledging, “the respect is mutual.”

However, despite the heated exchange in the song, a full-blown battle between the two never materialized. Instead, they reportedly reconciled after the tragic passing of Nipsey Hussle in 2019. This proved to be a wise decision, especially considering that in 2023, an alternate version of Kendrick’s “ELEMENT.” from DAMN. surfaced, containing direct jabs at Big Sean:

“Big Sean keep sneak dissin,’ I let it slide I think his false confidence got him inspired I can’t make them respect you, baby, it’s not my job You finally famous for who you date, not how you rhyme (boy).” Continuing, “Cute-ass raps, get your puberty up Then make you a classic album before you come at us Drake and Meek Mill beef might got you gassed up But I’m a whole ‘nother beast, I really f—k you up.”

Despite these pointed lyrics, Big Sean dismissed them as “ain’t no diss” and chose not to escalate the situation. Jay Electronica and French Montana, who were also mentioned in the track, likewise opted to let it pass.

Such is the impact when Kendrick targets fellow rappers: they either fall silent, make excuses, or simply disengage. And for good reason – Kendrick’s reputation as a lyrical juggernaut precedes him. As he asserts on the Future and Metro track, “really like that,” Kendrick has a history of shaking up the rap scene with his verses aimed at various targets. It’s not hard to imagine the devastation that would ensue if he were to focus his pen on a single opponent.

While J. Cole already took aim at Kendrick Lamar’s catalog and productivity, leaving Drake to ponder his approach, it’s worth considering what avenues Drake might explore. Beyond the claim of assisting Kendrick’s entry into the rap game, which holds some truth, what else can Drake really levy against Kendrick? Kendrick stands as a critically acclaimed, award-winning artist revered by hip-hop culture for over a decade.

Having faced significant backlash from Pusha T’s “The Story of Adidon,” Drake likely gleaned the importance of catching opponents off guard to deliver a decisive blow in 2024. Joe Budden’s suggestion of Drake possessing a “nuke” adds intrigue, hinting at potential revelations unknown to the public. However, the effectiveness of such revelations hinges on their validity and substance. Kendrick, known for his introspective storytelling, has already displayed a willingness to address his shortcomings, as evident in his recent album “Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers.”

We’re a long way from, “You underestimated greatly, the most No. 1s ever, how long did it really take me?” Kendrick doesn’t underestimate Drake. And the talk of chart success is seemingly null and void after his pre-emptive “Prince outlived Mike Jack” bar.

But, we’ll see. The excitement is in the suspense. As Kenny said, “Let’s get it, bro.” — DAMIEN SCOTT