A$AP Rocky has shared his thoughts on the ongoing rap beef between Kendrick Lamar and Drake, labeling it as “healthy for hip-hop.” The feud initially ignited in 2023 following the release of Drake and J. Cole’s collaboration track “First Person Shooter.” Speaking to ELLE in a cover story interview published on Tuesday, Sept. 23, the 36-year-old rapper expressed his views on the diss tracks exchanged between the two artists and the impact it has had on the hip-hop industry. Rocky highlighted that the rivalry between Lamar and Drake, which involved subtle jabs at other artists like himself, was primarily focused on the core issues at hand.
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The tension escalated when Rocky subtly dissed Drake in a verse on Future and Metro Boomin’s single “Show of Hands,” hinting at a past involvement with Drake’s ex-partner. Responding to this, Drake released a diss track titled “Family Matters,” taking aim at Lamar, as well as indirectly addressing Rocky’s earlier comments. Despite being dragged into the feud, Rocky emphasised that he chose to stay out of the conflict as he disapproved of the way it was unfolding, particularly with legal actions being taken. In Rocky’s eyes, the focus of the feud should remain on the two primary parties involved—Lamar and Drake —rather than spiralling out to include other bystanders like himself.
Following the release of “First Person Shooter,” Lamar hit back at Drake and J. Cole on the track “Like That,” asserting his position and disapproval of being compared to them. The subsequent months witnessed a series of diss tracks being exchanged between Lamar and Drake until Lamar seemingly emerged victorious with the release of “Not Like Us” on May 4, 2024. In this track, Lamar made controversial allegations against Drake, labelling him as a pedophile and a “colonizer.” Drake’s representatives remained silent on the accusations brought forth by Lamar, leaving fans and the industry speculating on the aftermath of the feud.
Notably, Lamar’s track “Not Like Us” went on to win him five Grammy Awards, adding further weight to his side of the feud. The song’s success culminated in Lamar’s performance of it during the highly anticipated Super Bowl Halftime Show in 2025. Rocky, on the other hand, has been focusing on his music career, with the announcement of his fourth studio album, “Don’t Be Dumb.” Despite facing delays in the album’s release, Rocky attributed the setbacks to the unpredictability of life and his commitment to prioritising his family. The rapper, alongside his partner Rihanna, is already parents to sons RZA and Riot, with a third child on the way.
As the rift between Kendrick Lamar and Drake continues to captivate the rap industry, the involvement of artists like A$AP Rocky adds layers of complexity to the narrative. While Rocky sees the feud as a positive force driving creativity and competition within the hip-hop genre, he also stresses the importance of maintaining the core focus on the primary parties involved. The ongoing saga between Lamar and Drake serves as a reminder of the intense rivalries that often fuel the music industry and shape the evolution of the genre. With fans eagerly anticipating the next move from the two heavyweight rappers, the legacy of this feud is sure to leave a lasting impact on the hip-hop landscape for years to come.
