Does it matter? Fans are divided as two of hip-hops most successful musicians start attacking each other in their song lyrics.
Rap feud explodes into all-out cultural war
Does it matter? Fans are divided as two of hip-hops most successful musicians start attacking each other in their song lyrics.
"I hate the way you walk, I hate the way you talk, I hate the way you dress."
Those are the lyrics from 'Euphoria' by the rapper Kendrick Lamar. The target is another rapper: Drake.
Drake is the most commercially successful hip hop artist of the century. But Lamar is considered the most talented rapper of his generation. Recently they have gone to war, releasing multiple tracks attacking each other.
For many, Drake and Lamar represent two different paths for rap: the entertainer versus the artist.
Rap lyrics are often boastful, teasing and confrontational. Many hip hop artists sharpen their skills at rap battles, where they compete in freestyle improvisations to mock each other in the wittiest way.
Some fans think the feud between Drake and Lamar is good for music. Supporting one team or another can even bring people together, as a respected DJ from Los Angeles has argued, claiming that Lamar's songs "might legitimately spark a national renaissance for West Coast music".
However, other fans think they could be using their talents a better way. A music writer at Rolling Stone magazine commented: "It feels like such a colossal waste of energy."
But this is also about whether rap music should try to appeal to as many people as possible, or keep its tradition of abrasiveShowing little concern for the feelings of others. lyrics and outsider status.
A similar debate can be found in sports, in business, and in many forms of culture. If you try to create something that everyone likes, you end up with a boring product. But, if you only try to please the fans, you never attract new followers. The best artists create a balance of the two.
Does it matter?
Yes! Drake and Kendrick Lamar represent two different futures for rap. People care about their rivalry.
No! Two of the most talented and successful rappers of their generation should be trying to make music that lasts. Instead, they are wasting their time fighting.
Rap feud explodes into all-out cultural war
Glossary
Abrasive - Showing little concern for the feelings of others.