Kendrick Lamar is reminding everyone why he’s one of the most respected names in hip-hop. Ahead of his highly anticipated Super Bowl performance this Sunday (Feb. 9), the Compton rap icon sat down with Ebro and Nadeska Alexis on Apple Music to reflect on his career and his headline-grabbing rap battle with Drake.
Rap as a Competitive Sport
For Kendrick, rap has always been more than just music—it’s a battle of skill, wit, and raw talent. Explaining his approach, he said:
“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.”
Kendrick also paid homage to classic battle rap, citing legendary names like Murda Mook, Loaded Lux, Tay Roc, and his longtime friend Daylyt.
“I still watch battle raps, I still watch Smack URL… This has always been the core definition of who I am.”
The Drake Feud: A Natural Move for K-Dot
While some fans were caught off guard by Kendrick going head-to-head with Drake, he made it clear that the rivalry was nothing out of the ordinary for him.
His 2024 diss track Not Like Us became the undisputed song of the summer, topping charts and recently sweeping five Grammy Awards. Many believe he decisively won the battle against Drake, further cementing his dominance in the game.
For Kendrick, though, this wasn’t just about taking down a competitor—it was about keeping the essence of hip-hop alive.
With the Super Bowl just days away, all eyes are on Kendrick once again. Whether he’ll bring that same fiery energy to the stage remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: when it comes to rap, Kendrick Lamar isn’t backing down.
