The Best of Enemies

Kanye West and Drake are both extremely talented hip-hop artists. They were both raised predominantly by their mothers and found a passion for music early in life. Kanye West was born in Atlanta, GA, and raised in Chicago. He graduated from Polaris High School and then dropped out of Chicago's American Academy of Art to chase his dreams. That decision changed his life because he went on to produce for artists like Jay-Z, Beyoncé, Ludacris, Alicia Keys, and many more. Eventually, he wanted to be more than a background player, but his aspirations were shut down. However, he did not let the “no’s” discourage him; instead, he let them push him, and his first solo album in 2004, The College Dropout, sold roughly 2.6 million copies. On the other hand, Drake was born in Toronto, Canada, and attended Jewish Day School and Forest Hill Collegiate Institute. He grew up surrounded by music with his father, Dennis Graham, a drummer for Jerry Lee Lewis, and his uncle playing bass for Sly and the Family Stone. So when it came to pursuing a career, Drake found himself already attached to the music and entertainment industry. Drake went from acting in Degrassi: The Next Generation to successfully signing with Lil Wayne's Young Money label. Both artists have overcome struggles and today stand tall, owning their own record labels, fashion lines, etc. However, two rappers being so successful in such a competitive game leaves room for rivalry.

Kanye West played a hand in Drake’s early career, helping produce “Find Your Love” and directing the music video for “Best I Ever Had.” However, West believes after he helped with some of Drake’s biggest hits, it negatively affected their relationship. Early on, Drake stated that Kanye West was one of his idols, and in “Thank Me Now,” Drake raps, “and that's around the time that your idols become your rivals.” Eventually, the mentor and mentee relationship was squashed, and it became a full-on rivalry. There have been minor beefs about whether Drake’s album Scorpion (June 29, 2018) and Kanye West’s album Ye (June 1, 2018) were closely released on purpose or by accident. Drake's “Kiki Do You Love Me” was about Kanye West’s wife, Kim Kardashian West. Kanye West even stated, “You know if I had a girlfriend from Chicago and her name was Renita, and then you was married to Rihanna, I wouldn’t make no song called Riri.” Kanye West has also publicly shared Drake’s address which has now become a “tourist attraction.” It is evident that there have been many Kanye West and Drake feuds, but one of the most recent is about their latest album drop dates. Kanye West was initially supposed to drop Donda on July 23; however, “something” prevented him from doing so. Some have noticed that in “Junya Watanabe,” these lyrics have been added “Move out of the way of my release, Tryna get me off my Qs and Ps, Why can't losers never lose in peace?, Ain't nobody 'round me losing sleep, Better find God 'fore he find me.” Some speculate that these added lyrics are shots made at Drake. Now that Drake’s Certified Lover Boy is out, lyrics like “Why does your ex think we beefin', is that man alright?, That nigga can't even look at me, he fell off twice” off “Pipe Down” are said to be about Kanye West and Kim Kardashian West. Some have said it is blatantly clear that in “No Friends In The Industry,” Drake is talking about Kanye West when he states, “Better find ya someone else to hit with all that smoke, nigga, yeah, And all them tweets and all them posts, Ain't got the type of time to be playin' with you folk, I had a Richard prior to these niggas, that's the joke, I'm really down to die behind these verses in my notes.”


With these rappers going back and forth continuously over the years, especially around album drops, some say the feuds could be publicity stunts. While others say let the music and numbers speak for themselves. Kanye West’s Donda and Drake’s Certified Lover Boy are now available on all musical platforms. Be sure to let us know what song or who you’re vibin' with the most down below.
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