Drake and Kendrick Lamar’s rap battle reached its peak at the Super Bowl, where Lamar took a victory lap in front of millions. With the internet buzzing about Drake’s losses—on record, at the Grammys, and now in a stadium—many wonder if he can recover. While the odds seem stacked against him, history shows that a well-planned comeback is always possible. But how can Drake turn things around?
Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl Power Move
The rivalry between Drake and Kendrick Lamar played out like a sports match, with diss tracks exchanged throughout 2024. Lamar’s song Not Like Us dominated the charts and painted Drake in a negative light, even fueling massive chants at events. The Super Bowl halftime show became the final nail in the coffin.
Lamar took several subtle (and not-so-subtle) jabs at Drake during his performance. From his outfit choice to bringing out Serena Williams—who had past ties with Drake—every detail seemed calculated. As PR expert Lauren Beeching put it, “Kendrick didn’t just perform—he set a cultural agenda.”
Why This Hurts Drake’s Image
Drake has long been seen as a rapper who blends different musical styles. However, Lamar’s diss track framed him as someone who takes from different cultures without giving back. This criticism hit hard, especially when Not Like Us called him out for profiting off Atlanta’s rap scene without truly belonging to it.
Drake’s response? He took legal action against his own label, Universal Music Group (UMG), over the allegations in the diss track. Many saw this as a weak move, undermining his credibility as a rapper.
Should Drake Stay Silent or Strike Back?
Experts say Drake’s best move right now is silence. Beeching, a crisis PR expert, notes that jumping into the battle again would only make things worse. She points to Taylor Swift’s strategy in 2016 when she faced backlash from Kanye West and Kim Kardashian. Instead of responding immediately, she disappeared, then returned with an album that controlled the narrative.
For Drake, a similar approach could work. Instead of trying to reclaim his rap credibility right away, he could shift his focus back to pop hits. A song like One Dance or Hotline Bling could remind fans why they loved him in the first place.
Why Drake’s Next Move Matters
Despite the backlash, Drake still has millions of monthly listeners on Spotify. While his reputation took a hit, he hasn’t faced any legal trouble or serious public disgrace. Fans have a short memory, and many artists have bounced back from scandals before.
However, the longer he dwells on this beef, the harder it will be to move forward. If he continues to release defensive rap tracks, he risks looking bitter rather than strategic. Instead, a fresh, fun, and catchy hit could shift the conversation.
At 38, Drake is older in pop culture terms, but not too old to evolve. If he plays his cards right, he could turn this defeat into a stepping stone for a new chapter in his career. And as sports fans know, everyone loves a good comeback.
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