Photo: Jim Bennett (Getty Images)
With Kanye on the mend and Jay-Z playing Mr. Mom the past couple years, rap’s throne is vacant and the only two worthy contenders for the crown are Drake and Kendrick Lamar.
Also: Drake’s New Album “More Life” Sets New First-Day Spotify Record
Drake made the first move this week with More Life, which the Toronto rapper is calling a “playlist project.” That sounds like a heightened version of a mixtape as it has no singular themes and features made-for-the club tracks featuring 2 Chainz, Migos‘ Quavo, Travis Scott, Young Thug and Kanye himself.
As hip hop fans were wrapping their Beats headphones around Drake’s #1 record, Kendrick Lamar came out of nowhere to steal the headlines late Thursday night with an un-announced single,“The Heart Part Four”. Rumors of a new album from the Compton rapper have been stirring for months, but this is the first real sign that his fourth full-length is in the works.
The fiery track is abrasive in content, but groovy in form, as Lamar unleashes a bevy of brevity by calling President Trump a chump and directing disses at at the haters who could or could not be Drake (although some if it is clearly aimed at another rival Big Sean).
“Tip-toeing around my name, ni**a ya lame / And when I get at you, homie, don’t you tell me you was just playin.”
Get your popcorn ready because this Rap Game of Thrones seems to be just getting good.
