Everyone's Beefing - What Drake, Kendrick Lamar, and J Cole Can Teach Us About Competition, Culture, and Conflict at Work
Looking deeper into this beef between Drake, J Cole, and Kendrick Lamar
By delving deep into the perspectives and commentary surrounding this squabble - we can uncover key insights on competition, cultural appropriation, and when collaboration trumps all.
Art imitates life. Life imitates art. Popular culture is a microcosm (or a macrocosm) of the situations we face in work and life. Maybe it's the rap music fan in me, but the "beef" between rappers Drake and Kendrick Lamar, and to a lesser degree, J Cole, has fascinated me. There were some humorous aspects, some concerning aspects, and a hint of "why can't we all just get along?" flowing through my mind. This rivalry has made me laugh, wrestle with choosing a winner, and simultaneously get up and dance. Never did a rap beef sound this good, with uptempo tracks like Kendrick Lamar's "Not Like Us' ' and even the song that started it all, "Like That' ' with Future and Metro Boomin, prompting dance challenges and energizing TikToks. However, considering their prolific position in hip-hop and the lessons I try to promote in this newsletter - I wanted to do more than be a passive consumer of music or join the Twitter discourse on who won. I wanted to go beyond the "BBL Drizzy'' freestyles and jokes. In true Surayyaverse fashion, I was inspired. This inspiration led me to write this article.
Kendrick Lamar, Drake, and J Cole are all professionals at their craft. As J Cole recited in his collaboration with Drake on "First Person Shooter": "Love when they argue the hardest MC, Is it K-Dot? Is it Aubrey? Or me? We the big three like we started a league." J Cole was right with this one; they are, arguably, the big three. The proof is in the pudding. Grammy award wins. Millions of dedicated fans around the world. Two have founded successful record labels - October’s Very Own (OVO) and Dreamville, respectively; the other has a Pulitzer Prize - the first rapper to receive one. In the world of rap, especially 2010s and 2020s rap, they are the all-stars. They are household names in their own right, and their lyrics and musicality have earned them a spotlight on the world's stage. So, where did the rivalry come from? Why do we see individuals at the top of their game - fighting like they need the proverbial scraps? They've made it, they have longevity, so why are they threatened by each other's success? By delving deep into the perspectives and commentary surrounding this squabble - we can uncover key insights on competition, cultural appropriation, and when collaboration trumps all.
The truth is that the most successful people can experience insecurities. The tension between Drake and Kendrick Lamar mainly represents the tension between those who are purists of their craft versus those who place commercial success above all. Drake's comment that "he is more of a Michael Jackson artist" versus a "Prince one" highlights this juxtaposition. Kendrick's clapback that "Prince outlived Mike Jack" - a cold one - represents his struggle to communicate his value in a music business that seemingly champions commercial success above artistry. With a musical economy dominated by streaming and artists making less money on music than previous generations - commercial success means far more than your artistry being celebrated on social media or by the historians of the craft. Drake, despite the accusations of inferior lyricism or "pop-music" tactics, has remained consistently topping the Billboard charts - even to the chagrin of a Drake "stimulus package" with his features boosting formerly unknown artists into stardom. What he lacks in artistry, he has made up for in commercial success and financial achievements. His estimated net worth is $250 million, almost double what is estimated for Kendrick Lamar.
Envy and Competition: Complementary or Opposites?
Shots were fired when rapper Mos Def referred to Drake as a "pop artist" on The Cutting Room Floor podcast. It begs the question of respectability and responsibility, especially for those in artistic and creative careers. What makes someone a "professional" at what they do? Even when they experience success, what makes them deserving of it? Kendrick Lamar and Drake's rivalry, while an average everyday rap battle on the surface, runs far deeper than that. While Kendrick is "your rapper's favorite rapper" and Drake is the "pop artist" - both represent a complementary pair of sorts - one having what the other lacks. Envy, often a precursor to competition, can occur when we witness someone succeeding in an area we lack. When listening to the various diss tracks, it's evident that both artists were aware of their weaknesses - with Drake switching up his melodic flow for more complex lyrics and Kendrick giving us a West Coast jam we'd cruise in a low-rider to. This conflict proves that, at its best, competition can force us to confront our weaknesses and emerge more potent.
This conflict proves that, at its best, competition can force us to confront our weaknesses and emerge more potent.
Let's apply this phenomenon to the modern workplace. Drake represents that employee who might be less talented or as thorough but gets by on charisma, humor, and interpersonal skills. He isn't seen as intellectual or skilled at work, but his personality gets him through. Think "personality hire," like those who shamelessly bragged about being one on TikTok. Kendrick Lamar is a superior technical employee, but some label him as "not leadership material" due to his inability to connect with others emotionally. It becomes a rivalry if they are up for the same position or a promotion opportunity within the company. Suddenly, the question becomes: is it better to be technically proficient or a natural leader? Depending on the company and the type of culture it promotes, one candidate will emerge more potent than the other. However, interviewing and aiming for the same position will likely allow them to sharpen their weak points - bringing out the best in both of them.
Cultural Appropriation and Conflict: Healthy Disagreement?
Another theme is the one of cultural appropriation and the competition that surrounds it. Kendrick Lamar's "Not Like Us" creates a proverbial distance between himself and Drake, whom he accused of being an "appropriation" of African American culture. Drake is known for his various accents - some Canadian, some Jamaican, even others representing his Memphis roots en route from his father, Dennis Graham. Is it appropriation or appreciation? Is it solidarity or exploitation? In business, we see these patterns play out continuously. Companies are inspired by a particular cultural artifact without paying homage to it. Individuals are inspired by specific communities when executing marketing campaigns or advertisements without bringing attention to that community's struggles or livelihood. In these situations, disagreement is inevitable and beneficial. We can learn and expand each other's perspectives and grow personally and professionally through revealing uncomfortable truths.
We can learn and expand each other's perspectives and grow personally and professionally through revealing uncomfortable truths.
It's no secret that cultural appropriation is a huge issue in business. While inspiration is inevitable, specific populations have been excluded from being given the credit (and associated royalties or profit share) they rightfully deserve. Cultural appropriation can occur on a broader scale, such as using tribal prints for mainstream fashion houses. Or, on a smaller scale - an employee's contributions to a project are overlooked due to their minority status, only to see other coworkers receive the credit. Representation is crucial when marketing, hiring, or even spearheading diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. Representation in equity and recognizing the fair share of contributions are crucial. Kendrick said it best: "They not like us." Without diverse opinions being represented at the table and diverse people being given credit, a company's efforts will remain performative. If there's one thing we can learn from this conflict, it is that when it comes to matters of diversity, inclusivity, and representation, it doesn't hurt to engage in some good trouble if it leads to fairer outcomes for all involved.
When Conflict and Competition Aren't Beneficial
Lastly, while initially entering the ring with a diss track of his own, J Cole went viral after removing this track from streaming services. This act was followed by an apology at his annual Dreamville Fest, in which he stated that "it didn't feel right in his soul." When J Cole first apologized, hardcore rap fans were angered at his humility and, in hindsight, his wisdom. The people wanted a battle of wits, a competitive repartee, a rap beef akin to Nas and Jay Z's in the 90s. The type of beef to give us legendary diss tracks like Nas’ Ether or Ice Cube’s No Vaseline. However, time has shown us the benefit of J Cole's wisdom. By knowing which battles were worth it - and which weren't - he arguably spared his peace of mind. He also protected his brand and brand equity in the process. With salacious "revelations" on both sides, including accusations of outside children, infidelity, and more - we all know who the real winner in this scenario was. From an asset protection standpoint, J Cole won, indeed.
By knowing which battles were worth it - and which weren't - he arguably spared his peace of mind.
When you are more than a solo performer, but a mogul in your own right, as J Cole is, with his annual Dreamville Fest having a $149.5 million economic impact - you have more to lose. It returns to the age-old biblical statement: "To whom much is given, much is required (Luke 12:48)." Sometimes, managing conflict effectively is choosing not to enter the conflict at all. Sometimes, the best remedy to competition is choosing to float above the fray. There are times when collaboration and humility will take you farther than bravado or confidence. J Cole knew there was too much to lose, so he took the high road. In situations where individuals depend on us to make decisions, be role models, or even ensure they are paid a living wage, we must operate in that responsibility. J Cole is an excellent example of why we should aim to transcend the ego in our professional endeavors. While we might lick our wounds in the short run, there will be no significant casualties to our careers or ventures in the long run.
In Challenging Situations, Our Decisions Make The Difference
These lessons can highlight the importance of navigating conflict and competition effectively. There are times when these aspects of life can be beneficial. Disagreements can uncover the elements of our career or approach that need changing, competition can influence us to develop new skills and strengthen our resolve, and even knowing when to back down can be crucial in maintaining our peace of mind and reputation. With all things in life, even seemingly controversial things like conflict and competition, while sometimes taboo, exist in shades of gray. When we consider things holistically, there is no wrong or right answer to these situations. Studying rappers, while counterintuitive, can introduce us to this wisdom. Studying athletes, entrepreneurs, or anyone with a career directly confronting competition can also provide additional insights into the topic. By considering our goals, the gravity of the situation, and the intended outcome, we can trust in our ability to turn lemons into lemonade, in times of conflict or times of collaboration, every time.
To learn more about Surayya's story and her content creation efforts, visit
She is on all major socials (Tik Tok, Instagram, etc.) at @surayyaverse.