By Fasuyi Tolulope Samuel
American rapper and music mogul Kanye West has given his opinion on who is superior between top rappers Drake and Kendrick Lamar.
Ye declared that Canadian rapper Drake is significantly superior to Kendrick Lamar in terms of cultural influence and relevance in hip-hop.
In a recent interview with DJ Akademiks, West dismissed Lamar’s dominance in their ongoing rap battle, emphasizing that Drake’s impact on the global music industry is unparalleled.
He compared Drake’s cultural significance to that of fellow rap icons Future and Young Thug.
“One thing is, Drake is a million times better than Kendrick [Lamar] and a million times more important [to the hip-hop world],” West stated. “What Future and [Young] Thug have done is what Drake culturally is. That sh*t was insane, bro. It’s universal.”
Read: Davido Makes Huge Revelation About Nicki Minaj
Drake and Kendrick Lamar have been embroiled in a rap feud since 2013, when Drake responded to Lamar’s verse on Big Sean’s track Control, in which Lamar called out several rappers.
While their rivalry simmered for years, it reignited in 2024 after Lamar’s verse on Like That, where he dismissed the idea of a “Big Three” in rap, claiming, “It’s just big me.”
The feud escalated further in May 2024 when Lamar accused Drake of misconduct in Not Like Us, prompting Drake to respond with The Heart Part 6, denying the allegations.
The dispute took a legal turn in 2025 when Drake sued Universal Music Group (UMG), the label representing both artists, alleging that Not Like Us contained defamatory content and was promoted using unethical methods.
Despite the controversy, Lamar emerged victorious at the 2025 Grammy Awards, securing five wins for Not Like Us. He also delivered a powerful performance of the track at Super Bowl LIX.
Drake later addressed the feud in Fighting Irish Freestyle, reflecting on the heated rivalry. However, Kanye West remains firm in his belief that Drake’s influence and artistry far outweigh those of Lamar, reigniting the ongoing debate among hip-hop fans.
