A Grammy-Winning Diss and a Fashion Statement Add Fuel to the Feud
The longstanding feud between rap titans Kendrick Lamar and Drake took center stage at the 2025 Grammy Awards, where Lamar made a bold statement both musically and sartorially.
Kendrick Lamar secured five Grammys, including Best Song and Record of the Year for his scathing Drake diss track, Not Like Us. But it wasn’t just the wins that had fans talking—it was his outfit. Sporting a denim-on-denim ensemble, commonly referred to as a Canadian tuxedo, Lamar appeared to take a subtle jab at his Toronto-born rival.
The Feud Heats Up
For over a decade, Lamar and Drake have exchanged bars and barbs, but 2024 saw their rivalry escalate to new heights. Not Like Us, filled with scathing lyrics and layered disses, took aim at Drake’s character, referencing his album Certified Lover Boy with the line: “Certified Lover Boy? .” The track’s cover art also featured an edited image of Drake’s house marked with symbols used to identify registered offenders.
Further twisting the knife, Kendrick Lamar collaborated with Drake’s ex, SZA, for his Super Bowl halftime show headlining performance and both of their latest albums. The move was widely seen as another deliberate slight.
How Many Grammys Did Kendrick Lamar Win?
Lamar dominated the night, collecting five awards: Best Song, Best Record, Best Music Video, Best Rap Performance, and Best Rap Song—all for Not Like Us. The recognition not only cemented the track’s impact but also underscored Kendrick Lamar’s ability to turn a diss record into Grammy gold.
Where Was Drake?
Drake was notably absent from the ceremony, continuing his ongoing boycott of the Grammys. He has previously criticized the Recording Academy, calling them out for a “disconnect” with hip-hop culture—especially after The Weeknd’s infamous Grammy snub in 2021. Drake also withdrew his Certified Lover Boy album from Grammy consideration in 2022, further signaling his discontent with the awards process.
Diss Tracks and Grammy History
While a Grammy-winning diss track isn’t unheard of, Not Like Us may be one of the most impactful. Drake’s Back to Back, aimed at Meek Mill, was nominated in 2016 but lost to Kendrick Lamar’s Alright. Before that, LL Cool J’s Mama Said Knock You Out became the first diss track to win a Grammy in 1991.
Kendrick Lamar’s victory over Drake in this regard may sting even more, given that the Canadian rapper is currently suing Spotify and Universal Music Group—his own label—for allegedly inflating Not Like Us’s streaming numbers.
The Meaning Behind 6:16 in LA
Before Not Like Us, Lamar released 6:16 in LA, another pointed track aimed at Drake. The title plays on Drake’s well-known timestamp song format (6PM in New York, 8AM in Charlotte) while carrying additional layers of meaning:
- June 16 is Tupac Shakur’s birthday, a significant reference given Drake’s controversial AI-generated Tupac feature.
- June 16 is also Father’s Day in both the U.S. and Canada—possibly an insult aimed at Drake.
- The HBO drama Euphoria, executive produced by Drake, premiered on June 16, 2019.
- Lamar held a concert in Toronto on June 16, further solidifying the symbolic weight of the date.
What’s Next in the Feud?
With Lamar basking in Grammy success and Drake steering clear of the awards, the rap world is watching to see what happens next. Will Drake fire back with another diss? Or is Lamar’s Grammy win the final word in their decade-long rivalry?
One thing’s for certain: this beef isn’t cooling down anytime soon.
