#385: In this episode of GT Radio, Josué, Link, and Marc unpack the massive 2024 hip hop feud between Kendrick Lamar and Drake. Josué recounts the timeline of the diss tracks, from “Like That” to “Not Like Us,” and explains why the beef captivated pop culture. The hosts explore hip hop as storytelling, competition, and cultural commentary—contrasting Drake’s commercial pop success with Kendrick’s lyrical depth and cultural grounding. Along the way, they share personal experiences with hip hop, mixtape nostalgia, and how music connects identity, belonging, and authenticity. The conversation expands into how audiences engage with public rivalries, catharsis through art, and the tension between art and marketing in modern media.

Characters / Media Mentioned

• Artists: Kendrick Lamar, Drake, J. Cole, Taylor Swift, Tupac Shakur, Snoop Dogg, The Weeknd, Kanye West, Metro Boomin, LL Cool J, Funkmaster Flex, Mos Def, Sisqo
• Songs / Albums / Events: “Like That,” “Push Ups,” “Taylor Made Freestyle,” “Euphoria,” “6:16 in LA,” “Family Matters,” “Meet the Grahams,” “Not Like Us,” “BBL Drizzy,” “The Heart Part 6”
• Other Media: Hamilton, The Wiz, Black Panther (soundtrack by Kendrick Lamar), Hey There Delilah by Plain White T’s
• Institutions / References: Hot 97 Radio, Pulitzer Prize, Billboard Charts

Themes / Topics Discussed

• Authenticity and Cultural Representation
• Celebrity and Pop Culture
• Artistic Rivalry and Competition
• Media and Identity
• Creativity and Expression
• Fame and Power Dynamics
• Music as Cultural History
• Parasocial Engagement / Fandom
• Catharsis and Emotional Expression

Relatable Experiences

• Feeling like an outsider and finding belonging through music
• Family bonding over shared media
• Nostalgia for analog media (tapes, CDs, mixtapes)
• Frustration with commercialism in art
• Enjoying public rivalries as emotional release
• Participating in fandom and community analysis

Join the Discussion
Share your thoughts on the Kendrick vs. Drake beef and what it says about authenticity in art. Who do you think “won,” and why does this cultural moment matter?
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What role has music played in shaping your own identity or community?