Lamar calls out Drake and J Cole in new track, igniting rap’s “big three” debate
In an electrifying move that’s set the hip-hop world abuzz, Kendrick Lamar has thrown down the gauntlet with his latest track, “Like That,” featured on Future and Metro Boomin’s new album, “We Don’t Trust You.” Lamar’s verses sharply call out fellow rap heavyweights Drake and J Cole, igniting a fiery debate over the genre’s reigning titans.
“Like That” sees Lamar stepping into the spotlight with confidence, declaring the rap game’s “big three” as merely “big me.” This bold assertion comes in direct response to J Cole’s verse on “First Person Shooter,” a track from Drake’s 2023 album, “For All The Dogs,” where Cole ponders the hierarchy among them, likening their dominance to starting a league of their own. However, Lamar’s blistering retort dismisses the notion of a triumvirate, elevating himself above the competition with the lines, “Motherfuck the big three, n***a, it’s just big me…And your best work is a light pack.”
The rivalry among these artists isn’t new, but Lamar’s latest verses mark a significant escalation. He cleverly intertwines this discourse with a nod to the legendary Prince and Michael Jackson rivalry of the Eighties, challenging Drake’s self-comparison to Jackson with a pointed reminder: “N***a, Prince outlived Mike Jack.”
Lamar, Drake, and J Cole have long been considered the pinnacle of rap’s modern era, each bringing a unique blend of lyrical prowess and commercial success that has defined the genre for the last decade. Yet, “Like That” signals Lamar’s refusal to share the throne, asserting his dominance in no uncertain terms.
This rap battle extends beyond mere lyrics, touching on broader themes of legacy, influence, and the nature of competition within the music industry. Drake and Cole’s current co-headlining “It’s All A Blur” tour, which Lamar slyly critiques as less than genuine, adds another layer to this unfolding drama.
Critics and fans alike have taken note of the charged atmosphere Lamar’s verses have created. While some of Lamar’s work, including his album “Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers,” has been hailed as a masterful exploration of personal and societal issues, Drake’s recent efforts have faced scrutiny for themes critics deem problematic. Lamar’s bold stance in “Like That” not only challenges his peers on a musical level but also invites a deeper examination of the values and messages conveyed through their art.
As the rap community digests Lamar’s fiery salvo, the conversation around the “big three” takes on new dimensions. With Lamar asserting his supremacy, the debate over who truly sits atop the rap hierarchy is far from settled, promising more thrilling exchanges in the verses to come
