By: Phoenix Guevara, Feb. 25, 2025
After Kendrick Lamar’s success at this year’s Grammy Awards, where he took home five trophies, including Record of the Year, the hip-hop community seemed firmly planted in Team Kendrick’s corner.
The Compton rapper’s Super Bowl halftime show, during which he performed his Drake diss track “Not Like Us” along with subliminal political messages to more than 100 million viewers, only reinforced to many that he won the battle. Yet, just days after the big game, Drake proved he’s still winning the war.
As the music world was still buzzing about Lamar’s halftime performance on Valentine’s Day, Drake released his collaborative album with PartyNextDoor titled “$ome $exy $ongs 4 U.” The release generated 92.4 million Spotify streams in a single day, breaking Lamar’s record of most streams in a day by a rapper in 2025, which was set just two days prior.
In one move, Drake reminded the world why he remains hip-hop’s most influential figure — not through diss tracks or a spectacle of performance, but by doing what he’s always done best: creating music that resonates with people.
This moment shows why Drake, despite the current narrative, is the more impactful artist of this generation. Although Lamar may be better at rapping — and few would argue otherwise — Drake’s influence on hip-hop and music goes beyond traditional metrics of rap skill.
“In my opinion, the better overall artist is Drake, but the better rapper is Kendrick,” said James Ignatius, an economics student.
Drake’s greatness lies in emotional versatility, connecting with global audiences and experimenting with genre-crossing sounds. His discography is an emotional compass that takes listeners through the ups and downs of life. From the heartbreak of “Marvins Room” to the triumph of “Started From the Bottom,” and from party anthems like “God’s Plan” to introspective tracks like “Do Not Disturb,” Drake captures every aspect of human existence. This talent makes him not just a rapper but a narrator of modern life.
Drake has solidified his influence on a global scale by crafting music that transcends borders. Tracks like “Passionfruit,” which uses an afrobeat, and his multiple Spanish features, including on Bad Bunny’s “Mía,” showcase his effort to connect with international audiences. This is a feat Lamar has yet to achieve in his career.
Drake’s incorporation of R&B, dancehall, house and other genres into his music has changed the idea of what hip-hop can sound like, and it has inspired a wave of artists to experiment with his blueprint, which separates him from Lamar and other traditional rappers.
“Drake brought a whole sound to Canada with artists like The Weekend, Nav and Tory Lanez were able to follow,” said Ignatius. “Kendrick was more so handed down the mantel of West Coast music, whereas Drake was an originator of the Toronto sound.”
For the artist with the most Billboard Hot 100 hits, the risk of burnout may seem like a concern. However, one of Drake’s greatest strengths is his consistency. Since his first album, “So Far Gone,” released in 2009, he has sustained relevancy by frequently dropping mixtapes, albums and collaborative projects. While Lamar releases albums every few years, Drake’s consistent presence and innovation allow him to stay at the forefront of trending music.
Drake’s influence reaches beyond his musical achievements. His OVO clothing brand is now international and has branches in Toronto, New York and London. He has also managed to build his record label, OVO Sound, from it. His effect is felt all the way to our social media feeds.
From the viral “In My Feelings” dance challenge to the iconic “Hotline Bling” that inspired countless memes, commercials and merchandise, Drake has found a way to effortlessly immerse himself into pop culture in a way Lamar has yet to replicate, unless, of course, it involves directing a diss at him.
Ultimately, both artists have contributed to the biggest rap beef of the 21st century, bringing in revenue and monetization. According to a report from Billboard, the songs that stemmed from the feud generated more than $15.4 million. In the end, they are both winners, but Drake’s lasting presence, influence on music trends and contribution to artist entrepreneurship make him the more significant artist. Even at what appears to be Lamar’s moment of triumph, Drake’s cultural relevance remains undiminished.
Feature image by Connor Lālea Hampton
