Christian J. Ward, widely known as Hitmaka, expressed his views on the Drake vs. Kendrick Lamar feud, asserting that it has had a detrimental effect on the hip-hop industry. Over the weekend, the rapper-turned-record producer took to his Instagram stories, stating:
“Drake & Kendrick sh*t really f*cked the game up cause now there’s no BAR/STANDARD. Don’t nobody got nothing to aim at or copy off of.”
In a follow-up Instagram story, Ward elaborated:
“Now the hottest rappers in the game are women besides Future & ain’t no n*gga running home to make a beat or song in competition with a woman.”
Instagram account @theneighborhoodtalk shared screenshots of Hitmaka’s stories on Monday, September 30, 2024.
As Ward’s comments circulated online, many internet users quickly reacted. A significant number disagreed, claiming that the rap feud was “the best thing to happen to hip hop in a minute.”
Several users pointed out that Hitmaka’s argument lacked clarity. Conversely, a few supporters of the former rapper noted the absence of hardcore artists akin to 2Pac, Jay-Z, and Nas in today’s industry.
Some commenters suggested that the corporatization of Hip-Hop has contributed to its decline. Others criticized the underlying sexism in Ward’s remarks.
Metro Boomin states that “stan culture”made the Drake vs. Kendrick Lamar feud “weird”
The conflict between Kendrick Lamar and Drake has persisted since the early 2010s, escalating earlier this year with both artists releasing diss tracks aimed at each other’s careers and personal lives. Notable releases included Drake’s The Heart Part 6 and Kendrick’s Not Like Us. Critics and fans argue that Kendrick’s track secured him a win in the feud.
Although the feud lost momentum by May 2024, it ignited discussion about broader themes in the rap industry. Fans, musicians, and social media influencers expressed their support for their favorite artists.
Metro Boomin, who played a significant role in the tensions, contributed to the feud with his track Like That, featuring Future and a guest appearance by Kendrick Lamar. Drake later intensified the rivalry by mentioning Metro Boomin in his song Family Matters.
During an appearance at the Forbes Under 30 Summit, the Grammy-nominated producer noted that “stan culture”exacerbated the feud. He explained that competition is a key driving force in the rap industry, stating, “there’s also a lot of ego involved,”with everyone striving to be the best.
He further commented:
“When two of the top dogs in the game both feel like they’re the best, it leads to a showdown. We witnessed this previously with JAY-Z and Nas. Nowadays, stan culture adds a weird dimension to it.”
He added that “the internet has made it a little too wild.”Nonetheless, Boomin views the rivalry as entertainment, believing that the genre will continue to evolve through its competitive nature.
“As far as me being diplomatic, it’s just entertainment. I have love and respect for all my collaborators. I just want to see everyone do the best and help push this forward. We’re all here to deposit in and uplift this genre.”
Neither Kendrick Lamar nor Drake has publicly responded to Hitmaka’s comments.
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