Questlove critiques Drake and Kendrick Lamar Feud: Hip-Hop Is Dead
Questlove, the legendary drummer from The Roots, stirred up the hip-hop world when he criticized the feud between Drake and Kendrick Lamar, stating, “hip-hop is truly dead.”
Questlove’s critique digs into hip-hop’s soul, a genre once rooted in unity, creativity, and resistance. His disappointment stems from how commercialism and rivalry have overshadowed the artistry and cultural messages that should define the genre.
Drake’s melodic hooks and Kendrick’s sharp social commentary reflect their unique styles, but their rivalry has divided fans and clouded the focus on hip-hop’s deeper purpose. Questlove sees their competition as a sign of how the industry’s obsession with numbers has weakened the genre’s unity.
In calling out this rivalry, Questlove is not against competition. Instead, he’s calling on artists to stay true to hip-hop’s roots and put unity and creativity over commercial success. He believes that to strengthen the genre, hip-hop needs to go beyond numbers and bring back the communal spirit that once made it unstoppable.
.@kendricklamar's "Not Like Us" breaks the all-time record for biggest single day streams of a hip-hop song in US Spotify history, passing @Drake and @lilbaby4PF's "Girls Want Girls" (6.593 million). pic.twitter.com/YLN6KHSPcz
— chart data (@chartdata) May 7, 2024
Questlove’s words are a call to action for artists and fans alike. Hip-hop can’t afford to let rivalry divide it. The community must embrace creativity, uplift each other, and build a future where unity leads, no matter the competition.
