Drake V. Kendrick

Overall Ramifications From The Rap Beef

Impact On Hip-Hop Culture

This rap beef was one for the ages... Some could even compare the hype to the Tupac and Biggie feud YEARS ago, battle of the east and west coast rappers. Both Drake and Kendrick's clash garnered so much global attention, with media outlet and fans around the world discussing the lyrics, meaning, and implications of the diss tracks put out by both artists. This showcases the power of music to incite these cultural conversations. A lot of the media and fans are claiming that these two artists "saved rap", as it was a genre thought to be slowly declining in quality. This was primarily because of lackluster projects from "popular" artists and delayed releases from others. I think we could all agree that consistency from your favorite artist is something that could be taken for granted. 

The music game has evolved so much over the last decades. Most notably, the immediacy with which artists are now able to release songs directly on social media, even before they hit digital streaming platforms, means the two rappers can speak directly to each other and to their audiences. As a result, their fans can also then react and respond in real time, and it can rapidly be picked up by popular culture. 

Role of Social Media and AI

The rap beef between these two titans significantly impacted the music industry, as it brought renewed interest to the genre, boosting streaming numbers and revenue for platforms like Spotify. The feud also raised ethical questions about the use of AI in music and the role of social media in amplifying serious allegations. Expanding on my first point about the use of AI, particularly referring to the AI-generated lyrics in Drake's "Taylor Made Freestyle", it raised some concerns about the potential for it to be used to spread misinformation in the future. Although in the moment, it was used as more of a creative tactic, there is some question about it's ethical compliance going forward. Furthermore, the role of social media has been massive in amplifying the stakes of this entire rap beef -- ultimately turning it into a cultural phenomenon. It served as a platform for the artists to release their diss tracks, engage in public banter, and allowed fans to dissect, react, and meme the feud. Social media (Tik Tok) enabled the rapid spread of information, making the news of the beef accessible to a wider audience - even for those who aren't hip-hop fans.