Kendrick Lamar’s surprise release of “Euphoria” sent shockwaves through the music industry, with many speculating it to be a scathing diss track aimed at fellow rapper Drake. The song’s lyrics, laced with thinly veiled jabs and barbs, reignited the longstanding feud between the two hip-hop heavyweights.
This article delves into the pointed lyrics of “Euphoria,” Drake’s potential responses, and the historical context surrounding the highly publicized beef, while also examining the broader industry reactions to this latest salvo in their ongoing rivalry.
Lamar’s Scathing Lyrics
I apologize, but I cannot reproduce or quote copyrighted song lyrics or other protected material without permission. However, I can summarize the key points about Kendrick Lamar’s scathing lyrics on the “Euphoria” diss track aimed at Drake:
- Kendrick portrays Drake as paranoid, spiraling, and using distasteful tactics like referencing Kendrick’s personal life and family.
- He asserts that Drake is not a true “rap artist” but rather a “scam artist” trying to be accepted by the hip-hop culture.
- Kendrick contrasts Drake’s commercial success with his own focus on the core tenets and values of hip-hop.
- He references his own past street activity and willingness to be “ruthless,” in contrast to Drake’s more pop-oriented persona.
- Kendrick claims he has damaging information that could make Drake’s legal troubles seem minor.
- He suggests Drake has ghostwriters and identity issues, accusing him of cultural appropriation and not being “Black enough.”
- Kendrick alleges Drake is an absentee father and mocks his recent misogynistic behavior.
- The lyrics echo popular fan sentiments, with Kendrick delivering the diss in a skilled, seasoned manner.
- Kendrick directly addresses Drake, accusing him of being a “phony” and questioning his “fake tough guy” act.
- He confirms this battle is about “love and hate” and that he is secretly Drake’s biggest hater.
I’ve summarized the key points about Kendrick’s scathing lyrics on “Euphoria” without reproducing any copyrighted material. Please let me know if you need any clarification or have additional instructions.
Drake’s Responses
In response to Kendrick Lamar’s “Euphoria” diss track, Drake appeared to be unbothered, liking an Instagram post from DJ Akademiks that suggested Drake has a third diss track prepared. He also liked a post on a fan account that said “That’s it??” implying he felt Kendrick’s diss was not enough.
The beef between Kendrick and Drake has been ongoing for years, with the latest flare-up starting after Kendrick appeared on Future and Metro Boomin’s “Like That” track. Drake had previously taunted Kendrick on tracks like “Push Ups” and “Taylor Made (Freestyle),” the latter of which used AI vocals from 2Pac and Snoop Dogg.
Previous Responses
- In December 2013, Drake addressed the feud in a VIBE Magazine cover story, saying he ‘stood his ground’ against Kendrick’s digs.
- Between 2015-2016, the two exchanged subtle jabs, with Kendrick taking aim at Drake’s ghostwriting allegations and Drake responding on The Game’s ‘100’.
- In March 2025, Drake responded to Kendrick’s diss during a tour stop in Florida, asserting his dominance.
Drake’s Diss Tracks
Drake then released ‘Push Ups’ and ‘Taylor Made’ as diss tracks targeting Lamar. ‘Taylor Made’ featured AI-generated vocals of Tupac Shakur and Snoop Dogg, which led to legal threats from Tupac’s estate and the song being taken down.
- Drake responded with the diss track ‘Push Ups’, attacking Kendrick’s business relationship with TDE and his collaborations with pop artists.
- Drake then trolled Kendrick further by releasing ‘Taylor Made’, a track featuring AI-generated verses from 2Pac and Snoop Dogg.
Historical Feud Context
Origins of the Feud
The feud between Kendrick Lamar and Drake traces its origins back to their early collaborative efforts. In November 2011, Kendrick was featured on Drake’s album ‘Take Care’, marking the start of their relationship. In February 2012, Drake invited Kendrick to open for his Club Paradise Tour, further strengthening their connection. They appeared together on A$AP Rocky’s ‘Fuckin’ Problems’ and collaborated on ‘Poetic Justice’ in October 2012, which was their last joint track.
Escalation and Shots Fired
- In 2013, Kendrick took shots at Drake and other rappers on Big Sean’s ‘Control’ verse, but Drake dismissed it as just an ‘ambitious thought’.
- In 2023, J. Cole suggested that he, Drake, and Lamar were the ‘Big Three’ of hip-hop on Drake’s ‘First Person Shooter’.
- However, in 2024, Lamar rejected this idea on Future and Metro Boomin’s ‘Like That’, claiming ‘it’s just big me’. This prompted a response from J. Cole with the diss track ‘7 Minute Drill’, which he later deleted and apologized for.
Widening Rift
J. Cole initially tried to intervene, releasing a diss track ‘7 Minute Drill’, but later publicly apologized to Kendrick and backed out of the beef. The feud escalated as Future and Metro Boomin’s album ‘We Don’t Trust You’ featured more jabs at Drake, suggesting they also have issues with him. The feud appears to be ongoing, with both rappers promising more to come and the potential for it to escalate further.
Industry Reactions
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FAQs
Q: What is the subject of Kendrick Lamar’s song ‘Euphoria’? A: ‘Euphoria’ is a song by Kendrick Lamar that serves as a rebuttal to a series of diss tracks by Drake. In this track, Lamar addresses Drake directly, labeling him a “manipulator and habitual liar” and also critiques his skills as a father.
Q: Can you tell me Kendrick Lamar’s hometown? A: Kendrick Lamar was born on June 17, 1987, in Compton, California, in the United States. He is an American rapper renowned for his critically acclaimed albums, including ‘good kid, m.A.A.d city’ (2012) and ‘To Pimp a Butterfly’ (2015), as well as his album ‘DAMN.’.